DRACOCEPH'ALUM SPECIO'SUM. 
TALL dragon’s HEAD. 
Class. Order. 
DIDYNAMIA. G YMNOSPERMIA . 
Natural Order. 
LABIATiE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
America. 
4 feet. 
Aug-. Sept. 
Perennial. 
Origin 
uncertain. 
No. 693. 
For an account of the derivation of the word 
Dracocephalum, see No. 57. 
This species has been made the type of a new 
genus — Physostegia; a word deduced from the 
Greek phusa, a bladder; and stego, to cover; in 
allusion to its inflated calyx. It is the Physostegia 
of Mr Bentham. Having previously published a 
variety of this plant we retain the original name, 
by which it is well known, and under which it 
would have been arranged by Linneus. 
Whether this plant has originated from seeds in 
this country, or is the spontaneous production of 
America, and has been imported, we are unable to 
discover. Its differences from the old plant con- 
sist chiefly in its superior height, the size of its 
flowers, and the nearly entire margin of its leaves. 
It is a remarkably handsome border plant, growing 
very erect; and, unless in an exposed situation, 
requires no support against wind and showers. 
In a light fresh loam, with a little manure or 
sandy peat, it flourishes exceedingly. An annual 
removal, at the end of February, encourages its 
luxuriance. 
174 . 
Don’s Syst, Bot. 4, 815. 
