OF ORNAMENTAL ANNUALS. 
63 
GENUS II. 
BLUMENBACHIA, Schrad. THE BLUMENBACHIA. 
Lin. Syst. POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRA. 
Generic Character. —Tube of the calyx spirally twisted. Limb I stamens disposed in five bundles. Fruit dividing into ten parts at the 
five-parted. Petals ten ; five outer ones cucullate, and the five inner I base. (G. Don.) 
ones scale-formed, each scale enclosing two sterile filaments. Fertile 1 
].—BLUMENBACHIA INSIGNIS, Schrad. THE SHOWY BLUMENBACHIA. 
Engravings. —Bot. Mag. t. 2865 ; Brit. FI. Card. t. 171; and our 
Jig. 4, in Plate 10. 
Synonymes. — B. parviflora, Gill. Loasa palmata, Spreng. 
L. patula, Graham. 
Specific Character _Lower leaves generally seven, but some¬ 
times five lobed, upper ones deeply bipinnatifid.—( G. Don.) 
Description, &c. —The stem is much branched, especially near the bottom, and both stems and branches are 
thickly covered with bristles, which inflict a slight sting when touched. The leaves are deeply cut, and also 
clothed with a short pubescence. The flowers are white, and are produced in great abundance. It is a native 
of Chili and Brazil, and it was introduced in 1826. It will grow perfectly well in the open air, if sown in a rich 
light soil in May ; or in a sheltered situation it may be sown in autumn, to stand through the winter. It flowers 
in June or July, and continues to unfold its blossoms in succession, till September or October. It is well adapted 
for raising on a hotbed, and growing in pots, to flower early in the season in a greenhouse, or living room ; as it 
makes a bushy little plant, six inches or eight inches high, and is covered with flowers. Its curious flowers may 
indeed be seen to best advantage in this way of treating it, as it cannot well be gathered for a nosegay, on account 
of its stings. It is seldom seen in flower-gardens, though last year (1838) there was a beautiful bed of it in the 
garden of Thomas Harris, Esq., Kingsbury, from which the specimen for our drawing was obtained. Seeds 
may be purchased at Charlwood’s, Carter’s, and other seed-shops. The plant may also be propagated by cuttings, 
which, if kept through the winter, will flower early the following summer. 
2.—BLUMENBACHIA MULTIFIDA, Hook. MULTIFID-LEAVED BLUMENBACHIA. 
Engraving. —Bot. Mag. t. 3599. 
Specific Character. —Leaves palmate, with bipinnatifid lobes. Flowers bibracteated. Petals hispid.—( Hook.) 
Description, &c.— A more vigorous-growing species than B. insignis , with larger flowers, and much larger 
leaves. It was discovered by Mr. Tweedie, in the Pampas of Buenos Ayres, and seeds were sent home by him 
to the Glasgow Botanic Garden in 1837, when the plants raised from them proved quite hardy, and flowered in 
the open borders abundantly. The footstalks of the flowers are very long, and though they are erect, the flowers 
at their extremity bend gracefully. Every part of the plant, however, including the flowers, is covered with 
hairs, which sting nearly as severely as those of Loasa. We have never seen this plant in the gardens near 
London ; and we do not suppose the seed can be obtained anywhere but from the Botanic Garden, Glasgow. 
