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RUSSELIA JUNCEA. RUSHY RUSSELIA. 
Class XIV. DIDYNAMIA.— Order II. ANGIOSPERMIA. 
Natural Order, SCROPHULARINACE^E. THE FIG-WORT TRIBE. 
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Character of the Genus, Russelia. Calyx five parted, segments acuminately subulate, nearly 
equal. Corolla hypogynous, tubular, ventricosely-widening towards the summit, throat bearded, limb 
two-lipped, upper lip emarginately two-lobed, lower lip three-parted, segments nearly equal. Stamens 
four, inserted into the tube of the corolla, didynamous, included, deflexed; anthers two-celled, cells di- 
verging. Ovary two-celled, the placentae inserted on each side of the dissepiment, bearing numerous 
ovules. Style simple; stigma obtuse. Capsule subglobose, attenuately beaked, two-celled, splitting by a 
septicidal dehiscence into two valves; valves bifid, the placentae at first cohering, ultimately free. Seeds 
numerous, very small, winged. 
Description of the Species, Russelia Juncea. Stem about three feet high, angular, green, 
dividing into numerous very slender tetragonal branches of a pale green colour, the young ones nearly de- 
void of leaves, nodding. Leaves always small, often very minute, larger however than the very slender 
branches, petiolate, ovate, acute, most delicately serrate or ciliate at the margin, sometimes furnished with 
one or two teeth. Inflorescence apparently panicled, but in reality consisting of the extreme slender 
branches, distant from each other, but disposed in the fashion of a raceme, at the points of which one or 
two stalked and nodding flowers are placed. Calyx small, sepals five, ovate, acute, imbricating. Corolla 
crimson, tubulose, about an inch long, dilating towards the upper part, limb somewhat unequally five-cleft; 
segments obtuse, the two superior rather approximating. Stamens four, didynamous. Anthers smooth, 
oblong, apiculate, lobes parallel. Stigma two-lobed; lobes oblong, flat. 
Popular and Geographical Notice. The species as yet known to belong to this small genus, 
are herbaceous or shrubby plants natives of the Antilles and of Mexico. The present species is the produce 
of Mexico; and few plants introduced of late years surpass it in the beauty of the flowers, or the delicacy, 
grace, and singularity of its branches. The elegant green pendulous branches terminated by the rich crimson 
flowers, at once charm the eye, and excite an interest by causing us to consider how such thread-like organs 
and the minute leaves attached to them, can accomplish the elaboration of sufficient sap to nourish and per- 
fect the fruit with its multitude of seeds. This is the more remarkable when we reflect that in the same 
country grows the Agave Mexicana, with its large, thick, and enduring leaves, which need several years 
before they can elaborate sufficient sap to enable it to elevate its flower stem with its countless flowers. 
These contrasts testify the boundless power of the Sovereign Creator, and the contemplation of them prompts 
us to exclaim with our great poet. 
“ These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, 
Almighty, thine this universal frame, 
Thus wondrous fair, thyself how wondrous then ! 
Unspeakable, who sit’st above these heavens 
To us invisible, or dimly seen 
In these thy lowest works ; yet these declare 
Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine.” 
Introduction; Where grown; Culture. Sent from Mexico by Count Karwinski to Berlin and 
and Munich, whence it was introduced into Britain in 1833. 
It requires the protection of the greenhouse, and flourishes well in any light rich soil. It is easily pro- 
pagated by cuttings. It flowers freely in July and August. 
Derivation of the Names. Russelia, in compliment to Dr. Alexander Russell, an English 
physician who spent some time at Aleppo, and wrote an account of the Natural History of that place. 
Juncea from juncus, a rush, from the rush-like character of the branches.* 
Yesterday I had the pleasure to dine with a very amiable and worthy friend at his villa a few miles 
distant from town; and while the company were high in mirth over the afternoon’s bottle, slipped aside to 
enjoy half an hour’s sober thought and salutary air. An almond-tree, in the centre of the garden, presented 
an immense tuft of flowers covering its whole surface. Such a glow of floral beauty would at any time have 
been an object of admiration ; but at a season when every thing else is dead, when not a leaf appears on 
any of the vegetable tribe besides, and the adjacent trees are bare skeletons, it claimed a peculiar share of 
attention. 
* The Botanist. 
