THERMOPSIS FABACEA. 
FABA-LIKE THERMOPSIS. 
Class. Order. 
DECANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
LEGUMINOSJE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Cultivated 
Siberia. 
2 feet. 
May, June. 
Perennial. 
in 1818. 
No. 469. 
Thermopsis, is compounded of the Greek ther- 
mos, a lupine; and opsjs, a resemblance. The 
general resemblance, indeed, of this genus to the lu- 
pine, authorises the comparison, although there is 
a considerable difference in their botanical charac- 
ters. Fabacea, from phago, to eat, whence comes, 
also, faba, the systematic name of our garden bean, 
on account of its esculent quality. 
The natural order of leguminosae, contains, on the 
whole, so highly ornamental a division of trees, 
shrubs, and herbs, that, even at first sight, the in- 
troduction of any subject contained in it, is sufficient 
to excite interest and enquiry. Humboldt estimates 
that it contains about one twelfth of the phaenoga- 
mous plants, scattered over the earth. 
The Thermopsis fabacea is very little known, al- 
though a desirable perennial for the mingled flower 
border. It is quite hardy, as may be indicated by 
its native country. In spring, it admits of division, 
but as it ripens seeds, pretty freely, we would re- 
commend propagation from these. Where variety 
of soil is at command, a preference should be given 
to that which is light and of good depth. 
Bot. Reg. 1272. 
