OF ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC PLANTS. 
171 
but lately three species have been found in Mexico. By far the most beautiful of these is Ahelia florihunda, 
which was introduced in 1847, and which has bright crimson flowers shaped like those of the honeysuclde, but 
produced singly. Abelia rupestris is another species of the same genus, a native of China, which was introduced 
by Ml’. Fortmie, in 1844. 
CHAPTER XXXIV. 
SAXIFRAGACE^ Dec. 
Essential Character. — Calyx of four or five sepals, which cohere 
more or less at their base. Petals five, inserted between the lobes of 
the calyx, sometimes wanting. Stamens five or ten ; anthers two- 
celled, bursting lengthwise. Ovarium usually consisting of two or 
five carpels or follicles, cohering more or less on the inner side, but 
distinct at the apex. Stigmas sessile on the tip of the lobes of the 
ovarium. Fruit generally a membranous capsule, but sometimes a 
four-celled berry. Seeds numerous, very minute, usually with long 
hexagonal reticulations on the side of a transparent testa. 
Description, &c. — The plants belonging to this order are very variable in habit, but the most ornamental are 
those included in the genus Saxifraga, which are nearly all hardy, and those contained in the genus Hydrangea. 
GENUS I. 
HYDRANGEA Lin. THE HYDRANGEA. 
Un. Syst. DECANDRIA TRIGYNIA. 
Generic Character. — Flowers usually of two forms, only one of distinct. Capsule two-celled, with bent-in valves, dehiscing by a hole 
which is fertile and hermaphrodite. Calyx globose, ten-ribbed, rather between the styles, 
truncate ; limb five- toothed. Petals five. Stamens ten. Styles two. 
Description, &c. — The Hydrangeas are very handsome shrubs with large heads of flowers, which are generally 
white, though in the most common species they are pink. Many of the species are hardy, but some require a 
greenhouse. The name of Hydrangea is derived from two Greek words, signifying a cup of water, which has been 
explained by some botanists to allude to the capsule of the flower resembling a cup ; while others suppose it has 
been given to the genus from the plants comprising it requiring a constant supply of water. 
1.— HYDRANGEA HORTENSIA Sieh. THE COMMON HYDRANGEA. 
SvNONYMEs. — Hortensia opuloides Lam. ; H. speciosa Pers . ; Hy- 
drangea bortensis Smith; Primula mutabilis Lour. ; Viburnum ser- 
ratum Thunh. 
Engraving. — Bot. Mag., t. 438. 
Specific Character. — Leaves broadly ovate, serrated, acuminate. 
Flowers disposed in ample corymbs or cymes, all deformed, with four 
or five segments ; segments obovate-roundish, quite entire. Fertile 
flowers very few, containing two or three styles. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This very ornamental plant is a native of China and Japan, whence it was introduced in 
1790, not quite sixty years ago. The plant is hailed the Globe Flower by the Japanese. The Hydrangea is now 
so common, and generally so much admired, that it will probably appear strange to most lovers of gardens to know 
that by botanists all the flowers are considered deformed, and that only very few of them bear seed. The plant was 
introduced into England by Sir Joseph Banks ; but it was previously known in France, where it was called 
Hortensia by Commerson, in honour of Madame Hortehse Lapeaute, who was the wife of his friend M. Lapeaute, 
a French watchmaker. Commerson first called the plant Lapeautia, but M. Lapeaute objecting to this, as not 
showing the compliment to his wife with sufficient clearness, Commerson changed the name to Hortensia, by which 
z 2 
