CONOCLINIUM lANTHINDM. 
185 
CONOCLINIUM lANTHINUM. 
Nat Order, CoMPOsiTiB \ EuPATOniEiE. 
Generic Characteh.— Conoclimum, D. C. — Capitulum manj'- 
flowered, homogamous. Involucre campanulate, scales in t"wo 
or three series, linear, acute, nearly equal. Receptacle naked, 
conical. Corolla tubular, scarcely dilated at tlie throat, limb 
five-toothed. Anthers included. Stigmas cylindi-ical, obtuse, 
exserted. AcliKnia angular, glabrous. Pappus in a single 
row, hairy, scahrovLS.— {SiidlicJtery Gen. Plant.) 
CoNOCLiNiuM lANTHiNusi. — Morrcu. — Violet Conoclinium. — 
Suifruticose at the base ; stem erect, round, ai-ticulated, streaked, 
glabrous, softly pubescent at the summits ; leaves opposite, on 
long stalks, oblong-ovate, wedge-shaped at the base, attenuated 
at the apex, -with coarse teeth, many-nerved, sub-scahrous 
above, softly pubescent and paler beneath ; capitiiles pedicellate, 
densely crowded in a terminal corjTnb, about 30- (or more) 
iiowered ; scales of the involucre thii-ty or more, in two or thi'ee 
rows, elongate-lanceolate, acuminated, velvety on the back ; 
receptacle somewhat hemispherical ; achcenia angular-streaked, 
glabrous. 
BESCRIPTION. — Half-slu-ubby below. Stems woody, brown, and streaked with, fissures 
below, ai'ticiilated, glabrous, and becoming smootb, green, and sbining' towards the top. 
Leaves oblong-ovate, wedge-sbaped at the base, attenuated above, jiointed, coarsely tootbed, 
tbe upper face deeja green, scabrous in the reverse direction, the lower face pale, tonientose, as 
if velvety, the nerves numerous, projecting below. The flower-heads are arranged ia crowded, 
terminal corymbs ; the pedicels velvety and usually five in number, each corymb commonly 
containing sis heads ; the scales of the involucre are arranged in three irregular rows, elongated, 
lanceolate, hairy outside, glabrous within, green, or with a brownish tinge ; receptacle some- 
what hemispherical, with a few short hairs ; corollas light rose, the stigmas very long, of a 
delicate violet colour, verging toward blue. 
This plant was described under the present name by Professor Morren in the Ghent Annals, 
for May, 1849, where he says truly, that the receptacle scarcely warrants its being referred to 
the genus Conoclinium since it is not conical ; but as the plant agrees with those of this 
genus in other respects, he was unwUling to make a new genus on such grounds. In the 
specimen we have examined the receptacle bears a few hairs of a short and bristly character, 
so as to approach Hebeclinium, but I do not think these sub-divisions of the Eupatorieae suffi- 
ciently absolute to require the alteration of a received name, merely to remove the plant from 
one to another of these doubtful genera. — A. H. 
HiSTOET, &c. — Our present subject is a native of St. Catherine's, in BrazO., from whence 
it was introduced to the Belgian gardens, by M. De Voss, a botanical collector, employed 
by the late M. A. Verschafielt of Ghent. It appears to have reached our gardens from 
this source dming the past year. The plant which furnished the accompanying figure, was 
grown in the collection of Messrs. Rollisson of Tooting, to whose obliging courtesy we are 
indebted for an early opportimity of publishing it. We are also indebted to the Messrs. 
Henderson of St. John's Wood, for an ojjportunity of insijecting another flowering example, 
which bloomed in theii' nursery, during March of the present spring. 
CuLTtTKE. — This Conoclinium appears to be a plant of very easy cultivation. It will, 
however, require a cool stove dui-ing the winter and the earty spring months, and must be 
grown freely. In the spring, the flowering plants, if removed to a warm greenhouse, will 
bloom more vigorously, and continue longer in blossom. During summer the plants may 
be kept in a greenhouse, or perhaps even exposed to the open air in warm sheltered situa- 
tions ; but, on the approach of winter, they must be retiu'ued to a cool jsart of the stove, in 
which they should have a light and airy place. According to the experience of the Belgian culti- 
vators, it would appear that the plants continue to bloom fr-eely all through the summer. It is 
probable, however, that their great value will be as decorative objects for the conservatory and 
drawing-room, in the early spring, when all flowers are valuable, and blue flowers are scarce. 
Propagation is readily effected by cuttings of the young shoots planted in the usual way, 
and kept in a moderate and close heat. The plants when established in separate pots of 
rich, Ught, loamy soil, should be frequently topped, and shifted into others of larger size before 
the roots become crowded in the pots ; they should be kept near the glass in a house 
or frame where they can have a moist atmosphere, with plenty of air, and a temperatm-e of fi-om 
60 to 65 degrees. Two-thirds of Hght free loam, to one-third of good leaf mould, or, in place 
of it, fibrous peat, incorporated with sand enough to keep the mass open and porous, ^nR form 
rnrn^- 
