OF ORNAMENTAL ANNUALS. 
61 
the Blumenbachia punicea of Mr. G. Don, and the Loasa punicea of Ruiz and Pavon. As, however, the plant 
is now generally known by the name of Loasa lateritia in the seed-shops, and as it has been called so by 
Dr. Lindley (Bot. Reg. 1838, fol. 22), we shall describe it by that name in the following page. 
1.— LOASA NITIDA, Lam. THE SHINING LOASA, or CHILIAN NETTLE PLANT. 
Engratings. — Brit. Flow. Gard., Second Series, t. 196; Bot. Mag. 
t. 2372. 
ViaiETY. — L.n. 2.tricolor,G. i)(H». syn. L.tricolor,Bo<. fle^.t.667. 
Specific Character. — Prostrate. Leaves cordate-lobate, dentated, 
shining above, upper ones sessile. Peduncles axillary. — ^Lam. ) 
Description, &c The flowers of this species are yellow, and the leaves of a bright shining green. The 
flowers of the variety have rather more red in them, but the difiference is very trifling. The stem is covered with 
long rigid hairs, which have each "a small bag or vesicle at the base, containing the liquor for transfusion through 
the sting when in action." This liquid stings severely, and the burning pain it occasions continues generally for 
a week or ten days, and the red mark often remains for weeks and even months. Loasa nitida is a native of 
Chili, and was introduced in 1822. In its native country it grows wild among rocks ; and if grown in England 
in a poor sandy soil, it vriU have slender stems, which lie upon the ground, and very richly coloured flowers ; but 
if grown in rich soil, the stem will be strong and upright, and the flowers pale. Seeds of both L. nitida and 
L. tricolor are common in the seed-shops ; and if sown in the open ground in May, they will flower in July, and 
continue in flower till September or October. 
2.— LOASA PLACEI, Lindl. MR. PLACE'S LOASA. 
Enoratings. — Bot. Reg. t. 1699; and out fig. 3, in Plate 10. 
Variety. — L. P. 2 acanthifolia, syn. L. acanthifolia. Ker in 
Bot. Reg. t. 785. 
Specific Character. — Leaves cordate at tlie base, many-lobed, 
upper ones sessile. Pedicels axillary. Sepals hardly toothed, reflexed, 
length of the petals. Wings of the corolla sessile and quite entire, the 
longest of the stamens as long as the petals. Style bent, longer than 
the stamens. — (G. Don.') 
Description, &c. — A tall strong-growing plant, rising to the height of two feet or more, with a thick, erect 
stem. It is a native of Chili, and was introduced in 1800. It requires a poor dry soil, and yet abundance of 
moisture, for the colours to have their full brilliancy. In rich soil the flowers become larger and paler ; and 
the plant assumes the appearance of L. aeantldfolia. This species is generally raised on a hotbed, and planted 
out in May ; but it may be sown in May in the open ground. 
3.— LOASA AMBROSI.a:FOLIA, Juss. THE AMBROSIA-LEAVED LOASA. 
Engravings. — Bot. Reg. t. 1390 j and out fig. 2, in Plate 10. 
Synonvmes. — L. hispida, Graham. ? L. bryoniaefolia, Schrad. 
* L. grandiflora. Lam. 
Specific Character.— Leaves alternate, bipinnatifid, lobes bluntish. 
Pedicels extra-axillary. Lobes of the calyx lanceolate-linear, acute, 
shorter than the petals — (Dec.) 
Description, &c.— A very handsome, strong-growing species, with large yellow flowers, and a very short 
ovate seed-vessel. It is a native of Lima, from which country it was introduced in 1829. It grows about two 
and a half feet high, and may be sown in the open border in May, when it will flower from July to September, 
and ripen abundance of seeds. The seeds are sold in some of the seed-shops under the name of L. brymimfolia. 
