Hibiscus Speciosus. Superb Hibiscus.

Class and Order.

Monadelphia Polyandria.

Generic Character.

Cal. 2-plex: exterior polyphyllus aut multifidus. Caps. 5-valvis, 5-locularis: loculis polyspermis ramis 1-spermis.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

HIBISCUS Speciosus foliis glabris palmatis: laciniis lanceolatis serratis, caule pedunculis calicibusque lÆvibus. Ait. Hort. Kew. 2. p. 456. Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. Gmel. p. 1063.

Those who "admire Nature's clocks more than her watches," will view, we presume, with some pleasure our representation of this very superb species of Hibiscus, a native of Carolina, and cultivated here by Dr. John Fothergill, in 1778.

This species is altogether herbaceous, and from a perennial root yearly throws up a stem to the height of many feet, clothed with foliage of a beautiful form and smoothness, and supporting at its summit several flowers, distinguished for their grandeur and richness of colour; these usually blossom in August, and if the plant be kept in the stove, as it most commonly is, are followed by ripe seeds, by which it is most commonly propagated.

In the Hort. Kew. it is marked as a greenhouse plant; it may no doubt be preserved in the greenhouse; there is even no impediment to its growing in the open border, if placed in a warm and sheltered situation; and the only motive for keeping it in the stove is its being found to flower there more advantageously, and to ripen its seeds with more certainty.

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