OF ORNAMENTAL PERENNIALS. 
131 
8.— OXALIS VARIABILIS, Dec. THE VARIABLE OXALIS. 
Synonymes. — O. grandifloia, fFiHrf. ; O . \sxa\a,, J acq. ; O. brevi- 
tcaf a, Spreng.; O. rigidnhd, Jacq. ; O. aiggillata, J'oc?. 
Variety O. v. ;8 floribus rubris, LindL; O. variabilis /3, Jacq.; 
O, purpurea, Willd.; O. speciosa, Spreng. 
Engkavings. — Bot. Reg. t. 1505; and our^j. 4 in Plate 32. 
Specific Character. — Stemless, downy. Leaflets sub-rotund, 
wedge-shaped at the base. Peduncles one-flowered ; stamens with a 
tubercle at the base. 
Description, &c. — There are two very distinct varieties of this species ; one with white flowers, and the 
other with the flowers pinkish. Both are natives of the Cape of Good Hope, whence they were introduced in 
1795. Besides these distinct kinds, the species varies so very much as to have received a great many names 
from botanists, as is proved by the numerous synonymes. These kinds should be planted in a warm sunny 
border, and kept dry for a period when they have done flowering. They should also be protected from frost. 
OTHER SPECIES OF OXALIS. 
O. TETRAPHYLLA, Lodd. Bot. Cab. t. 790. 
This species has purple flowers, but in other respects it closely resembles 0. Deppei. It is a native of 
Mexico, whence it was introduced in 1822. 
O. CARNOSA, Molina. 
A half-hardy species, with very fleshy leaves, and small yellow flowers. A native of Chili ; introduced in 
1825. 
O. FULGIDA, Lindl. 
A dwarf plant, a native of the Cape of Good Hope ; introduced in 1822, and remarkable for the smallness of 
its leaves, which resemble those of a heath, and the brilliant rose colour of its flowers. 
O. VIOLACEA, Jacq. 
A hardy species, with a bulbous root; introduced in 1772. The flowers are violet-coloured. 
O. DIVERGENS, Lindl. 
A very handsome Mexican species, with white flowers, which resemble those of Aiiemone vitifolia in their 
texture and brilliant whiteness. The plant grows best in the open ground, but it requires a slight protection 
against frost in the climate of London. It was introduced about 1830. It is well deserving of cultivation, botli 
for its beauty and the great length of time it continues in flower, viz. from June to September. 
O. LOBATA, Sirm, Bot. Mag. t. 2386. 
A tuberous-rooted plant, presenting the same singular appearance as O. Deppei, of fusiform tubers like those 
of the Dahlia, growing out of a scaly bulb. The whole plant is small, and the flowers yellow. It is a native of 
Chili, introduced in 1821. 
O. ALBA, D. Don, Suit. Brit. Flow. Card. 2d ser. t. 398. 
This species has a smooth bulb, with fusiform roots proceeding from it. The flowers are white, and' resemble 
those of 0. diverffem. It was sent to Edinburgh in May 1838 from Haarlem, but its native country is not 
known. 
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