NEW AND RARE STOVE PLANTS. 
29 
UROSPATHAS. 
This is an entirely new class of plants that has been introduced from Para. They have not yet 
bloomed in this oonntry, pending which they are offered for their variegated, ornamental, and 
fantastio foliage. Two of the varieties were exhibited and comprised in the Bix New Plants with 
which Mr. WILLIAM Bull won the First Prize at the London International Horticultural Exhibition, 
besides which, several of the varieties have obtained Certificates at the Royal Horticultural, Royal 
Botanic, and Crystal Palace Exhibitions. To give a more complete notion of their character, the 
annexed description of them is quoted from the Gardeners' Chronicle, of May Gth, 18G5, page 415: — 
“ Passing by some new Marantas, I come to a class of plants said to be new to science — the genus 
Urospatha, 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 
firm leathery texture, mostly fretted and spotted over with pink ; in their present state not large, 
but probably they are not nearly so qnick.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 cut 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 tapor again into an acuminate point. Tho 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 mention a very curious, and, as far as I could judge, a very beautiful tribe 
entirely new to us — viz., somo new Urospathas from South America. Thoy belong to tho Aroidem, 
the leaves having somewhat of the curious winged character we see in some of the members of that 
family, but still more fantastic. They differ from Alocasias in two very important particulars — 
instead of having bulbous roots, they have long creeping rhizomes like some of the creeping 
Ferns, and instead of being deciduous, they preserve their foliage all the winter— a very decided 
advantage. Then this foliage is marked in a most beautiful and singular manner. In some there 
is a red ground netted all over with green, others have a creamy white 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 havo 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 arrow- 
shaped leaves. In this the basal lobes of the leaf are olongate and divergent, and the oolour is 
green, marked with dull pale roseate blotches, longitudinally disposed and irregularly confluent. 
Price 1 guinea each, 
UROSPATHA GRANDIS. 
A very curious and singular-looking stove perennial, with creoping rhizomes, and arrow-shaped 
leaves, so deeply lobed from the base with divergent lobes as to assume the figure of the letter V; 
they are of a pale yellow green, with somewhat darker coloured veins. 
Price 1 guinea 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 1 guinea each, 
