

162 THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
first “closely imbricated, but “ by degrees separate as the stem lengthens; they are broad at the point, but acute 
when young; when old they are extremely blunt, and irregularly crenated, as well as bordered with purple. The 
flower-stem is from nine inches to a foot high, and bears at the very summit a compact panicle of handsome crimson 
flowers, covered with a delicate bloom, and orange-coloured inside.” It is added in the “ Botanical Register,” from 
which work the above extract is made, that “it is a pretty greenhouse half-shrubby plant, and grows freely in a 
light mixture of sandy loam with leaf-mould and plenty of sand. It is easily increased by the leaves, rises from one 
to two feet in height, and flowers freely from November to April, that is to say, throughout the winter.” Among 
the other valuable qualities belonging to this plant may be added, that the flowers retain their beauty for several 
days after they have been cut and placed in water. A specimen which I have in my possession, which has been 
cut nearly a week, is now (the 31st of January, 1848) as fresh and beautiful in its appearance as if it had only just 
been taken from the plant. 

2.—ECHEVERIA ACUTIFOLIA Lindi. THE SHARP-LEAVED ECHEVERIA. 
Eneravinec.—Bot. Reg. for 1842, t. 29. 
Speciric Cuaracter.—Leayes subrhomboid, very acute, concave; } much shorter than the petals. 
cylindrical branches bearing three or four flowers each. Sepals acute, 
those of the stem somewhat rosulate. Flowers in dense panicles, with 
Description, &c.—This is a most ornamental species, the flowers being richly tinted with a most brilliant 
scarlet and goiden yellow. The leaves, which are large and concave, are of a bright green tinged with red at the 
base, and the stems are pink. All the colours are remarkably brilliant, and the plant altogether has a remarkably 
striking and showy appearance. ‘The species is a native of Mexico, whence it was introduced in 1841. 
3.—ECHEVERIA CASPITOSA Dec. THE TUFTED ECHEVERIA. 
Synonymes.——Cotyledon cespitosa Haw.; C. linguiformis Ait.; C. reflexa Willd. ; Sedum Cotyledon Jacg. 
Speciric Cuaracter.—Leaves rosulate, narrow, tongue-formed, obcuneated at the apex, and rather mucronate. Flowers cymose. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c.—This is the oldest species of the genus in British greenhouses, having been introduced in 
1796. The species is less ornamental than many of the more modern kinds, but it forms an agreeable variety to 
them, as its flowers are yellow and disposed in cymes instead of panicles. 
POI eee 
OTHER SPECIES OF ECHEVERIA. 
E. GRANDIFOLIA Haw. 
This species is so exceedingly glaucous as to look perfectly blue at a little distance. ‘The flowers are yellow 
tinged with red. The species was introduced in 1828, and it is figured in “ Sweet’s British Flower Garden,” t. 275. 
In this work it is observed, ‘a singular character belonging to this genus is, that the leaves are slightly attached to 
the stems, though they appear firmly attached; but by moving them upwards at the back, it will be seen that they 
are quite loose, and come off easily, as if they were only stuck on; those, if dried a little, and then planted, will 
soon root and produce young plants.” 
E. GIBBIFLORA Dec. 
The flowers of this species bear considerable resemblance to those of E. acutifolia, but the leaves are more 
obtuse. The flowers also grow on long drooping zigzag shoots, and are much less brilliantly coloured. ‘The species 
is a native of Mexico, and it was introduced in 1826. 


