FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
141 
summer. The hue of the flowers is almost indescribable, being between a deep rich 
red and a fine blood colour, but with a yellow centre. Bot. Reg. 31. 
Sprekelia cybister, mr. brevis. The plant noticed in our April number 
under the title of Hippeastrum anomalum, has since obtained the above designation 
from the Hon. and Rev. W. Herbert. It is chiefly distinguished from Hippeas- 
trum by " the convolution of the lower sepals, of which the base in our plant is in 
a very singular manner obliquely enlarged, so as to inclose the filaments." S. cy- 
bister, to which the present variety is so closely allied, has been called the Tumbler, 
" from the very singular precipitation of the buds in their progress towards expan- 
sion, and the final perpendicular posture of the lower lip of the flower." This 
variety was introduced from Bolivia by Mr. Knight, of the King's Road, Chelsea, 
with whom it blossomed in April last. Bot. Reg. 33. 
Stenomesson latifolium. A rather interesting bulbous plant, with clusters 
of upright pale orange flowers on an erect scape. " It was sent to Spofforth (the 
Residence of the Hon. and Rev. W. Herbert) by J. Maclean, Esq., from Lima, in 
November, 1837, and having arrived in the spring of 1838, showed its leaves soon 
after, and flowered very early in the spring of 1839, and again in 1840, or rather 
towards the close of the winter, during its season of rest." It prefers a rich light 
so\l, with a slight protection from scorching sunshine, and must be kept perfectly 
dry in the winter. Bot. Mag. 3803. 
Tradescantia iridescens. The remarkable dwarfness, abundant foliage, and 
large attractive blue flowers of this exceedingly neat perennial, render it a most 
desirable plant in a greenhouse that has small shelves or stages in a conspicuous 
situation. It is said to be half-hardy, with tuberous roots, " growing in any rich 
soil, and flowering in July and August, each flower only lasting for a few hours." 
An increase may be effected from seeds, the plants raised from which flower in the 
second season, their roots being preserved through the winter by retaining them in 
the pots, in dry soil, or placing them in sand. It is a native of Mexico, and 
although its flowers are very ephemeral, there is a long succession of them, and 
their iridescent appearance renders them extremely pretty." Plants of it bloomed 
in the garden of Sir Charles Lemon, Bart., at Carclew, in Cornwall. Bot. Reg. 34. 
NEW, RARE, OR INTERESTING PLANTS IN FLOWER IN THE PRINCIPAL 
SUBURBAN NURSERIES. 
Aerides affine. All who love OrchidaceEe, have usually a particular affection 
for the lovely A. odorata, and those charming species of Saccolabium which flower 
so profusely in the spring season. The present extremely beautiful plant, which 
has been imported from India by Messrs. Loddiges, and is now flowering very 
finely in their Orchidaceous-house, is exceedingly like S. guttatum, the floral 
raceme depending from the stem, and bearing a great number of delicate flesh- 
coloured blossoms, copiously blotched with deep pink. Botanically, however, 
