20 
NE'VV AND BARE STOVE PLANTS, 
UROSPATHAS. 
This is an entirely new class of plants that has boon introduced from Para. They have not yet 
bloomed in this country, pending which they are offered for their variegated, oraamontal, and 
fantastic foliage. Two of the varieties were exhibited and comprised in the six New Plants with which 
Mr. William Bull won the First Prise at the Loudon International Horticultural Exhibition, besides 
which, several of the varieties have obtained Certificates at the Royal Horticultural, Royal Botanic, and 
Crystal Palace Bxliibitions. To give a more complete notion of their character, the annexed description 
of them is quoted from the Gardener's Chronicle, of May 6th, 1865, page 415 : 
“ Passing by some new Marantas, I come to a class of plants said to be new to science— the genus 
Hrospatha, of which Mr. Bull has a large stock— the species not yet named. They have creeping 
rhizomes like some Ferns. There are hundreds of rhizomes starting into growth, and an odd plant 
in leaf here and there, just sufficient to give one an idea of their distinct aspect. The leaves are of a finn 
leathery texture, mostly fretted and spotted over with pink ; in their present state not large, but 
probably they are not nearly so quick-growing as the Caladiums, the more especially as they are leaves 
that remain on all through the winter. They are mostly of a singular sagittate form those of one kind 
looking exactly like a cordate leaf that had been out from its centre to the middle of each shoulder with 
a pair of scissors. In others the basal lobes become enlarged after receding from the apex of the petiole, 
and taper again into an acuminate point. The lobes in this and another species being much larger than 
the apical portion, seem to have the effect of causing the leaves to hang with the basal lobes downwards, 
so that if distillation takes place in this section of the Arum family, it will probably be by a double 
channel and a reversed outlet.” 
The following is quoted from the Journal of Horticulture, of April 24, 1865, page 265 : 
“And now I must meution a very curious, and, as far as I could judge, a vei*y beautiful tribe 
entirely new to us— viz., some now Urospathas from South America, They belong to the Aroide®, 
the leaves having somewhat of the curious winged character we see in some of the members of that 
family, but stUl more fantastic. They differ from Alocasias in two veiy important particulars- instead 
of having bulbous roots, they have long creeping rhizomes like some of the creeping Fenis, and instead 
of being deciduous, they preserve their foliage all the winter — a very decided advantage. Then this 
foliage^s marked in a most beautiful and singular manner. In some there is a red ground netted all 
over with green, others have a creamy wliite ground interspersed with green, others are blotched with 
red, and in fact it is hardly possible at present to say what strange forms and colours they will present ; 
but I think enough is seen to enable one to say that they will indeed prove one of the most decided 
acquisitions in ornamental-foliaged stove plants that we have had for some years.” 
Several varieties of this new family have been introduced, but the following have been selected as 
the most distinct ; — 
UROSPATHA ELEGANS. 
One of a group of singular and grotesque-looking stove perennials, with persistent mottled an'ow- 
shaped leaves. In this the basal lobes of the leaf are elongate and divergent, and the coloiu: is green, 
marked with dull pale roseate blotches, longitudinally disposed and inegularly confluent. 
Price 2is. each. 
UROSPATHA GRANDIS. 
A very curious and singular-looking stove perennial, mtli ci'eeping rliizomes, and arrow-shaped 
leaves so deeply lobed from the base with divergent lobes as to assume the figure of the letter V ; they 
ai-e of a pale yellow-green, with somewhat darker-coloured veins. 
Price 21s. each. 
UROSPATHA PICTURATA. 
A singular-looking stove perennial, having a creeping rhizome and arrow-shaped leaves, with the 
basal lobes erect, and longer than the anterior one ; they are green, with a bronzy tinge, more evident in 
the young state, and are mottled over with confluent but scattered blotches of grey. 
Price 21s. each, 
UROSPATHA SPECTABILIS. 
A grotesque and peculiar-looking stove perennial, with creeping rhizomes and arrow-shaped leaves, 
having long, divergent basal lobes about one-third longer than the anterior one ; they are curiously 
mottled over the greater part of their surface with two or three shades of yellowish and greyish green, the 
edges and interspaces being deep greeu. 
Price 2U. ewh, 
