Description oe the Species^ Portulaca Thellusonii. Stem 
annual^ or at most biennial, round, branched, smooth, from about one 
foot to a foot and a half high, and more or less of a deep pink colour. 
Leaves alternate, fleshy, somewhat cylindrical, smooth, about an inch 
long, having in the axils tufts of long white filamentous hairs. Floral 
LEAVES numerous, arranged in the form of a whorl, and in length and 
form similar to those of the stem. Flowers one or more at the 
apex of the branches. Calyx leaves two, ovate, acute, skinny, about 
three lines long, externally of a pinky colour. Corolla about two 
inches and a half in diameter, of a most brilliant crimson colour, vrith 
a yellow star in the centre, with blotches about the star of a still 
darker crimson. Petals five, ovate, obtuse, concave, twodobed, 
having the margins recurved. Stamens numerous, of a dark purple 
colour, smooth, shorter than the style. Anthers round. Pollen 
yellow, roundish. Style longer than the stamens, of a lightish purple 
colour, increasing in size from the base upwards, smooth. Stigma 
five-cleft, divisions more or less recurved, the under side smooth, the 
upper side strongly pubescent. Ovarium roundish, five or six 
angled, one-celled, ovaria numerous, rather reniform, granulose, ar¬ 
ranged round a central columella, on a placenta. 
Popular and Geographical Notice. This is a truly brilliant 
plant, and when in perfection its crimson flowers are dazzling to the 
eye; as an annual (or little more) it is an attractive addition to the 
stove. At first this plant was considered, by Dr. Lindley, as a hybrid 
between Portulaca grandiflora, and Portulaca Gilliesii, but subsequent 
observation has convinced Dr. Lindley that it is a true species, and 
distinct from its congeners by its two-lobed petals. Its native country 
is not stated by the above author, who first described it in the 
Botanical Register, for 1839, but most probably it is a native of 
tropical America, as that country contains most of the species of the 
genus, few being found in the temperate or w’arm parts of the old 
world. 
Introduction; Where grow^n; Culture. This plant,accord¬ 
ing to Dr. Lindley, was sent from Florence to the London Horticul¬ 
tural Society, by Lord Rendlesham. The genus may be easily propa¬ 
gated by cuttings, and the species Portulaca Gilliesii, grandiflora, and 
the one now figured, may be rapidly increased by the leaves, which, if 
suffered to remain on the soil of the pot after they have fallen, will 
soon strike root, and, in a short time, produce vigorous plants. The 
soil should be peat, loam and sand. West. 
Derivation of the Names. 
Portulaca, from Porto to carry, and lac milk. Thellusonii after the Hon. 
Frederick Thelluson (now Lord Kendlesham),who introduced it. 
Synonyme. 
Portulaca GRANDIFLORA rutila. Bot. Mag. 1839, Misc. 1J4. Bot. Reg. 
1840, t. 31. 
