7 
AGAPANTHUS umbellatus; var. maximus. 
Large-jlow erect African Blue-Lily. 
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Nat. ord. Liliacr.e. 
AGAPANTHUS. Botanical Register , vol. 9 . fol. 699. 
A umbellatus. Bot. Reg. 1. c. 
Var. maximus ; foliis latioribus, floribus multo majoribus. 
Since the days when the commerce of the Dutch revealed 
to Europe the vegetable riches of the Cape of Good Hope, and 
filled the gardens of Holland with crowds of unknown forms, 
the African Blue- Lily, or as it was formerly called the African 
tuberous Hyacinth, has been a favourite object of cultivation. 
It has now, however, become common, and, discarded from 
the gardens of the great, to their own loss, has sought refuge 
with humbler cultivators, with whom it still is, and we trust 
always will be, a cherished favourite. 
We do not find in such authors as we have an opportunity 
of consulting, any precise information as to the favourite loca- 
lities of Agapanthus. Mr. Harvey says, that one species is 
very common on the sides of Table Mountain, but which 
species, or what the kind of places it is found in, he does 
not state. 
With regard to the species, these are so little understood 
that, although this may well be distinct from A. umbellatus, 
we have no materials for defining it, and therefore we leave it 
to our successors ; possibly it may be the A. multiflorus of 
Willdenow. Mr. Harvey says there are several species in the 
Cape Colony; it would be well worth any one’s while to collect 
and compare them, so as to settle the distinctions that exist. 
The accompanying drawing was made in the nursery of 
February , 1843. 
D 
