




OF ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC PLANTS. 63 
cultivation. Nearly all the proper species of the genus Pelargonium are natives of the Cape of Good Hope, but 
hybrids have been raised from them in almost every country where the art of floriculture is known. As the 
sections are very distinct, I shall take them separately, and give the sectional character to each. The genus is 
named Pelargonium from the Greek word Pelargos, a stork, from the carpels bearing some resemblance to the 
head and beak of the stork. All the plants belonging to this genus are distinguished from the true Geraniums by 
the upper segments of the calyx ending in a slight spur or slender tube, adhering to the footstalk of the truss of the 
flowers, This, in some of the sections, is so very slight as to be scarcely perceptible ; but in the true Pelargoniums, 
which include nearly all the ornamental plants found in our greenhouses, it is very perceptible. 
SECT. I—HOARKEA. 
Sectronan Cuaracter. — Petals five, rarely four, lanceolate or | the lower sepals; four or five of the stamens fertile, the rest sterile, 
linear; two upper ones parallel, with long claws, abruptly reflexed | and shorter than the fertile ones, 
in the middle. Stamens ten, in a long tube, which is the length of 
Description, &c.—The species belonging to this division have all tuberous, or rather turnip-like, roots, from 
which rise a tuft of leaves on long footstalks, and a tuft of flowers, also on a long footstalk, but without any 
proper stem. These species were cultivated, and innumerable hybrids raised from them, about forty or fifty years 
ago, by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, at Stourhead in Wiltshire, and hence the section is very appropriately named 
in honour of that gentleman. Sweet, indeed, thought the plants so distinct that he formed them into a separate 
genus, and hence they are sometimes found so named in collections. 
1,—PELARGONIUM INCRASSATUM Sims. THE FLESHY-LEAVED PELARGONIUM. 
Synonyme.—Geranium incrassatum Andy. Speciric Cuaracter.—Leaves pinnatifid, with lobed obtuse seg- 
Eneravines.—Bot. Mag., t. 761; Bot. Rep., t. 246. ments. Scape a little branched. Superior petals obcordate. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c.—This is a very handsome species, and from the flower-stem being branched, two or more 
trusses, of eight or ten flowers in each, are produced from one root. The flowers have the three lower petals of a 
pale pink, and the upper petals of a dark rose-colour, very much veined. The leaves are glaucous and very fleshy. 
Like all the tuberous-rooted Pelargoniums it is rather tender, and very difficult to propagate. It was first described 
and figured in 1801, but it does not appear certain whether it was introduced from the Cape of Good Hope, or 
raised from seed in this country; but the former is probably the case, as it is always classed as a distinct species 
2.—PELARGONIUM NUTANS Dec. THE NODDING-FLOWERED PELARGONIUM. 
Synonymes.—P. rapaceum var. luteum Sims; P.rapaceum Jacg.; | Sprcrric Cuaracrer.— Leaves bipinnate, hairy; leaflets bipin- 
Geranium prolificum Zin.; G. selinum Andr.; G. africanum var. natifidly jagged, multifid, linear, rather toothed. Umbels capitate, 
luteum Com.; Hoarea carinata Sweet, crowded, depressed. Flowers nodding; superior petals refracted 
Eneravines.—Bot. Mag., t. 1877; Bot. Rep., t. 239; Sweet's | inferior ones concave, connivent. 
Geraniaceex, t. 125. 
Dzscription, &c.—This very singular species has pale yellow flowers and curiously cut leaves, which take 
somewhat of a yellow tinge in autumn. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, whence it was introduced in 
1788; but as it is somewhat difficult to propagate, it is probably now lost. 




