LOBELIA fulgens.
Refulgent Lobelia.
Class and Order.—Pentandria Monogynia.
Syn. Lobelia fulgens. Bot. Rep. pl. 659.
Root fibrous—stem erect, leafy, occasionally drooping at the summit, downy. Leaves alternate sessile, broad lanceolate, undulate, denticulate near the point, veined, becoming smaller towards the top of the stem—peduncles very short—calyx five segments, acute, downy—corolla monopetalous, very brilliant scarlet—tube oblong, inflated at the base, segments five, three lower ones, oblong, lanceolate, acute; two upper, small, linear, acute, recurved—stamens five—anthers oblong, style filiform—stigma compressed.
This brilliant ornament to the flower garden is a native of Mexico, and was raised from seeds sent by Humboldt and Bonpland, to this country, about the year 1809—it is a plant of easy cultivation, and is readily increased by parting the roots in Spring—it is hardy, but in the winter requires to be kept dry, as it is liable to decay from too much moisture, it is therefore the safest plan to put a few plants in a frame, divide them, and plant them about April, in a stiff soil, and moist situation, where they will flourish exceedingly, and make a splendid appearance until destroyed by frost—This species differs little from L. Splendens, which has its foliage more tinged with red and is devoid of that pubescence which distinguishes L. fulgens.
There are several beautiful species of this genus, but few are hardy, those most desirable for a flower garden are
| L. splendens. | |
| — cardinalis. | |
| — amæna. | |
| — tupa. |
Pl. 39.