






OF ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC PLANTS. 171 
but lately three species have been found in Mexico, By far the most beautiful of these is Abelia floribunda, 
which was introduced in 1847, and which has bright crimson flowers shaped like those of the honeysuckle, but 
produced singly. Abelia rupestris is another species of the same genus, a native of China, which was introduced 
by Mr. Fortune, in 1844. 
CHAPTER XXXIV. 
—_—_>—. 
SAXIFRAGACEAI Dec. 
distinct at the apex. Stigmas sessile on the tip of the lobes of the 
Essentrat Cuaracter.—Calyx of four or five sepals, which cohere | 
more or less at their base. Petals five, inserted between the lobes of ovarium. Fruit generally a membranous capsule, but sometimes a 
the calyx, sometimes wanting. Stamens five or ten; anthers two- | four-celled berry. Seeds numerous, very minute, usually with long 
celled, bursting lengthwise. Ovarium usually consisting of two or | hexagonal reticulations on the side of a transparent testa. 
five carpels or follicles, cohering more or less on the inner side, but 
Description, &c.—The plants belonging to this order are very variable in habit, but the most ornamental are 
those included in the genus Saaifraga, which are nearly all hardy, and those contained in the genus Hydrangea. 
GENUS I. 
HYDRANGEA Lin. THE HYDRANGEA. 
Lin. Syst. DECANDRIA TRIGYNIA. 
Generic CrAracter.—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. Petalsfive. 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 Sieb. THE COMMON HYDRANGEA. 
Synonymes.—Hortensia opuloides Lam. ; H. speciosa Pers.; Hy- Specirtc Cuaractrr.—Leaves broadly ovate, serrated, acuminate. 
drangea hortensis Smith ; Primula mutabilis Zowr.; Viburnum ser- | Flowers disposed in ample corymbs or cymes, all deformed, with four 
ratum Thunb. or five segments ; segments obovate-roundish, quite entire. Fertile 
Eneravinc.—Bot. Mag., t. 438. flowers very few, containing two or three styles. (@. 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 called 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 Hortense 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 
Zane | 




