TRACHYME'NE C^ERULEA. 
BLUE-FLOWERED TRACHYMENE. 
Class. Order. 
PENTANDRIA. DIG Y N1 A. 
Natural Order. 
UMBELLIFERjE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
N. Holland. 
18 inches. 
July, Sept. 
Annual. 
in 1827. 
No. 450. 
The genus Trachymene is named from the Greek 
trachys, rough; and mene, a membrane, in allu- 
sion to the rough membranaceous coat of the seeds. 
Caerulea, from the Latin, blue. 
This plant was at first considered, by botanists, 
as distinct from Trachymene, and a new genus was 
established by De Candolle to receive it. Subse- 
quent examinations induced a different opinion. 
It may not, on casual inspection of this new and 
interesting annual, be observed that it belongs to 
the umbelliferous order of plants; in which blue 
flowers so rarely occur. White and inconspicuous 
tints generally prevail, as may be observed by many 
of our native umbelliferous flowers, which are so 
prevalent in and about the hedges of England. 
These ask examination. Their little white or blush 
blossoms, sent out on distinct spokes, emanating 
from one point, in regular rays, like those of a pa- 
rasol, have a peculiar beauty of arrangement. 
The Trachymene cserulea, should be sown early, 
on a hotbed, that it may shew itself in perfection in 
autumn. Its late flowering will generally prevent 
seeds being ripened, unless under protection. 
Bot. Mag. 2875. 
