AP H E LEX IS. 
201 
THE GENUS APHELEXIS. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
The subject of our present figure is one of the limited number 
of truly valuable plants which may justly be termed indispensable 
to ever so restricted a collection. Improving on acquaintance 
until, by degrees, they attach to themselves a deserved import¬ 
ance which no neglect or time can obliterate, or even remove. 
Every cultivator of greenhouse plants is aware of the ornamental 
character of the entire genus ; and the two species humilis and 
sesamoides are among the most popular plants at all floral meet¬ 
ings. The compact, neat manner in which they grow, the rich¬ 
ness and depth of colour which pervade their flowers, together 
with the length of time they will continue in perfection, mark 
them as especially suited to the exhibitor’s purpose. But, how¬ 
ever excellent these two plants may be, in every consideration the 
variety under notice so far exceeds them as to be distinguishable 
by the commonest observer. In habit the specimens we have 
seen appear to be about intermediate, more erect, and therefore 
less lumpish than the first-mentioned species, without being so 
lax as the latter. In fact, it is of that happy medium stature as 
to require scarcely any assistance in the arrangement of its 
branches, to ensure the desired fulness now requisite to all perfect 
specimens. The flowers, too, are larger, and of deeper colour 
than those of any other known member of the genus; and, to 
crown the whole, they are found to preserve their beauty unim¬ 
paired for a longer period than is usual with those commonly 
grown. Join all this to the fact of their easy culture, and we 
have very nearly a ne plus ultra among plants. 
However eulogistic we may seem, our opinion is fully borne 
out by the value practical men place on the plant, and the eager¬ 
ness with which it is sought; and we are confident, whoever in¬ 
cludes it in his collection will have no reason to regret the choice. 
It appears to us there is a slight error in the name employed. It 
is, without doubt, a variety of the species formerly called Heli - 
chrysum spectabile ; but which, on the revision of the family by 
D. Don (who also adopted the present generic appellation), was 
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