LEPTOSTELMA MAX IMA. 
GREAT LEPTOSTELMA. 
Order. 
SUPERFLUA. 
Natural Order. 
COMPOSITE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
Mexico. 
6 feet. 
Aug. Sept. 
Perennial. 
in 1828. 
No. 467. 
The name, Leptostelma, is compounded of the 
two Greek words, leptos, signifying slender; and 
stelma, a crown; in allusion to the slender petals 
of its ray. Maxima, from the Latin, greatest. We 
wish that Mr. Don, at the time he established a new 
genus for this plant, had given it a different specific 
appellation. A name of comparison, when the genus 
comprises but one species is somewhat anomalous. 
This bold herbaceous plant, but for its size, bears 
most of the general character of the genus Erigeron; 
indeed, the botanical characters also, of the tw o gen- 
era, are very closely allied to each other. The com- 
posite flowers of Leptostelma, each composed of such 
delicate parts, and elevated six or seven feet high, 
make it a desirable appendage to the herbaceous 
ground or shrubbery. It may, appropriately, have a 
place amongst the tall phloxes, delphininums, heli- 
anthemums, asters, and others of the tall composite. 
Notwithstanding it is a native of Mexico, it has 
borne, uninjured, three successive winters of Eng- 
land; therefore, doubtless, in the severest seasons, 
it would require but a slight protection. It may 
be divided at the root; and will grow in any aspect. 
Sweet’s FI. Gar. s. 2, 38. 
Class. 
SYNGENESIA. 
