1870. ] 
LEPTOSIPHON ROSEUS. 
217 
LEPTOSIPHON KOSEUS. 
ft 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
an exception be made in favour of tlie admirable Fldox Drummondii, none 
of the annual Pliloxworts are more popular, or so well deserve popularity, 
as the plants included in the genus Leptosiplion. Of dwarf and compact 
habit, yielding profusely their star-like blossoms of various shades, and of 
the easiest cultivation in almost any soil, it can scarcely be a matter of surprise 
that they have from their earliest introduction taken place in the first rank. 
For twenty years the genus was represented in our gardens only by the well- 
known L. androsaceus and L. deiisifiorus, with their white varieties. To these 
were at length added the charming L. luteus and its variety aureus^ both intro¬ 
duced by Messrs. Veitch of Chelsea ; and another, though it may be hoped not a 
final addition, may now be chronicled in the Leptosiphon roseus, a most charming 
plant, closely related in habit to the two last named, which it equals, if not 
exceeds, in beauty and in usefulness. 
The accompanying illustration will render superfluous any detailed descrip¬ 
tion of this elegant and attractive little annual. It differs from L. aureus almost 
solely in its colour, which is a most pleasing tender rose, a shade by no means 
easy to represent adequately on paper. Like that of its congener, its habit is. 
very dwarf, rarely exceeding three or four inches, with similarly palmate foliage, 
the flowers being produced in clusters terminating the stems and branches. The 
elongated corolla-tube, so characteristic of the genus, is fully three times longer 
than the limb, which is about three-fourths of an inch in diameter. In most of 
the specimens the rose-colour is uniform, but in some there is an approach to a 
stripe, or flake, which, however, in no degree detracts from the appearance of the 
plant. Well grown, strong plants will yield their flowers for several weeks in 
succession. To obtain specimens, however, that will give the maximum number 
of flowers, it is essential with this, as with the other species, indeed with all other 
annuals, to sow thinly, or to transplant the seedlings while young to such a 
distance from each other as will afford full space for development. When the 
sa.me care and attention that are bestowed on bedding plants are given to the 
hardy annuals, then, and then only, will their capabilities be discerned. 
All the Leptosiphons are natives of California, whence the present plant was 
introduced by the writer, and exhibited during the past summer at the gardens 
of the Royal Horticultural Society, and also at the Royal Botanic Society’s 
meeting, on both occasions receiving the award of a First-Class Certificate. It 
is but right to add, in conclusion, that by Dr. Asa Cray, the eminent American 
botanist, the Leptosiphon roseus as well as L. luteus and L. aureus are regarded 
as being varieties of Leptosiphon parvijiorus. The genus itself is, by some of the 
leading botanists of the day, considered as merely forming a section of Gilia .— 
W. Thompson, Ipswich. 
3rd series. —III. 
L 
