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ANOMATHECA CRUENTA (Lindl.). 
BLOOD-SPOTTED ANOMATHECA. 
CLASS. ORDER. 
TRIANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
IRIDEJE. 
Generic Character. — Spathe two-valved. Flower six-parted, coloured, salver-shaped. Calyx and 
corolla not distinct. Stigmas three. Capsule covered with numerous warts, having something the 
appearance of being covered with frost. 
Specific Character. — Bulb ovate ; leaves from four to eight, somewhat narrow, yellowish green, smooth, 
slender, occasionally slightly waved, about half as long as the flower-stem ; stem from four to eighteen 
inches high, round, having three or four branches proceeding from it. Flowers from four to ten on each 
branch ; tube of the flower from three to four times the length of the spathe, and nearly twice as long as 
the limb, the segments of which are a rich carmine colour ; each of the three lower has also a rich dark 
blood-coloured spot at its base, which adds in no small degree to the beauty of the flower; capsule 
thickly covered with protuberances of a dark green colour. Seeds shining, rich brown colour, in shape 
not unlike those of mustard, but larger. 
This plant is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, from whence it was introduced 
in 1830. Our plants flower very freely in the greenhouse, from April to July or 
August, and when placed in the stove, they come into flower in February ; they 
also thrive very well planted in a vine border, or close under the front wall of 
a stove. The best sort of soil is a mixture of sandy peat and loam, in pro- 
portion of one fourth of the latter to three fourths of the former. When planted 
out of doors, the bulbs require to be set a good depth, say four inches, and if not 
taken up at the commencement of winter, throw a little dry litter over them, or 
turn a pot over them filled with sawdust ; but it is advisable, when convenient, 
always to take them up about the end of October, and preserve them like other bulbs 
until April, when they may be planted again. When planted in pots, it is not 
necessary that the bulbs should be taken up, but when they have done flowering, 
cease to give them water gradually, until the plants have become totally dormant ; 
keep them during this time perfectly dry, or they will rot, or otherwise receive 
material injury. 
It is readily increased by seeds, which it produces in great abundance, and by 
separating the bulbs at the time of potting in January or February. At this time 
the bulbs will begin to make a new start, turn them out of the pots, separate them 
entirely from the old soil, take off all the offsets, and again replant them in entire 
new mould ; water them cautiously until they begin to grow, after which they may 
have a good supply, and they will flower very freely. 
Its generic name is given in consequence of the singular frosted appearance of 
the seed-vessel. The specific name from the colour of the flowers. 
