ESCHSCHOLTZIA Californica.
Californian Eschscholtzia.
Class and Order.—Polyandria Tetragynia.
Syn. Eschscholtzia Californica. Bot. Reg. pl. 1168.
Root fusiform—stem branching, growing to the height of one foot or more—leaves glaucous, tri-pinnatifid, segments acute—flowers terminal, on long peduncles—Calyx formed like the Calyptra of a Moss, which falls off previous to the expansion of the flower—petals four—large, spreading, slightly striated, narrower at the base, margins undulate, of a brilliant yellow, which increases to an orange in the centre of the flower—stamens numerous, filaments very short, anthers long, acute—stigmas four—seed vessel subulate.
Fig. 1. represents the seed pod. Fig. 2. the curiously formed Calyx.
This elegant flower was originally discovered by Mr. Menzies, during the expedition of Vancouver, in the year 1792, on the coast of California. It has been named by Chamisso after Dr. Eschscholtz, a companion of Kotzebue, in his voyage round the world, and was sent to the Hort. Soc., by Mr. Douglas, in 1826, who found it on the N. W. coast of America. It promises to be a very desirable and beautiful addition to our catalogue of herbaceous plants, flowering abundantly all thro' the summer 'till destroyed by frost. It may be propagated either by seeds, which should be sown in a hot-bed early in the spring, or by parting the roots in autumn, and grows best in a pure air, and a light, or sandy soil.
Pl. 33.