Calothámnus, four species. This genus is named in allusion to the splendid appearance of the branches, covered with scarlet flowers of curious construction, which come out of the old wood. All the species are of easy culture, and very like dwarf pines. C. quadríffida has the largest flowers; C. claváta the most abundant. They are all evergreens, and flower from April to November.
Caméllias. There are about nine species, celebrated over the known world as furnishing the domestic drug called tea, in universal use, besides many flowering trees and shrubs as universally admired. Oil may be expressed from the seeds of all the species, and used as that of hemp and poppy in cookery. C. víridis and C. bohèa are said to be the species which supply the tea. Some have asserted that there is only one shrub used, but by examination it may be easily perceived that there are leaves of various shape and texture, some of them similar to C. sasanqua. Dr. Abel gives an explicit detail of the growing and manufacturing process of tea, from which, in compliment to our fair patrons, we give a few extracts:
"The tea districts of China extend from the twenty-seventh to the thirty-first degree of north latitude. It seems to succeed best on the sides of mountains. The soils from which I collected the best specimens consisted chiefly of sand-stone, schistus, or granite. The plants are raised from seeds sown where they are to remain. Three or more are dropped into a hole four or five inches deep; these come up without further trouble, and require little culture, except that of removing weeds, till the plants are three years old. The more careful stir the soil, and some manure it, but the latter practice is seldom adopted. The third year the leaves are gathered, at three successive gatherings, in February, April and June, and so on until the bushes become stunted or slow in their growth, which generally happens in from six to ten years. They are then cut in to encourage the production of fresh roots.
"The gathering of the leaves is performed with care and selection. The leaves are plucked off one by one: at the first gathering only the unexpanded and tender are taken; at the second those that are full grown; and at the third the coarsest. The first forms what is called in Europe imperial tea; but as to the other names by which tea is known, the Chinese know nothing; and the compounds and names are supposed to be made and given by the merchants at Canton, who, from the great number of varieties brought to them, have an ample opportunity of doing so. Formerly it was thought that green tea was gathered exclusively from C. víridis; but that is now doubtful, though it is certain that there is what is called the green tea district and black tea district; and the varieties grown in the one district differ from those of the other. I was told by competent persons that either of the two plants will afford the black or green tea of the shops, but that the broad thin-leaved plant (C. víridis) is preferred for making the green tea.
"The tea leaves being gathered, are cured in houses which contain from five to twenty small furnaces, about three feet high each, having at top a large flat iron pan. There is also a long low table covered with mats, on which the leaves are laid, and rolled by workmen, who sit round it: the iron pan being heated to a certain degree by a little fire made in the furnace underneath, a few pounds of the fresh-gathered leaves are put upon the pan; the fresh and juicy leaves crack when they touch the pan, and it is the business of the operator to shift them as quickly as possible, with his bare hands, till they cannot be easily endured. At this instant he takes off the leaves with a kind of shovel resembling a fan, and pours them on the mats before the rollers, who, taking small quantities at a time, roll them in the palm of their hands in one direction, while others are fanning them, that they may cool the more speedily, and retain their curl the longer. This process is repeated two or three times, or oftener, before the tea is put into the stores, in order that all the moisture of the leaves may be thoroughly dissipated, and their curl more completely preserved. On every repetition the pan is less heated, and the operation performed more closely and cautiously. The tea is then separated into the different kinds, and deposited in the store for domestic use or exportation.
"The different sorts of black and green arise, not merely from soil, situation, or the age of the leaf; but after winnowing the tea, the leaves are taken up in succession as they fall; those nearest the machine being the heaviest, are the gunpowder tea; the light dust the worst, being chiefly used by the lower classes. That which is brought down to Canton, then undergoes a second roasting, winnowing, packing, &c. and many hundred women are employed for these purposes." Kæmpfer asserts that a species of Caméllia as well as Olea fràgrans is used to give it a high flavour.
C. oleíferia is cultivated principally in China for the oil which is expressed from its seeds, which is much used in the domestic cookery of the country; flower single white.
C. Sesánqua, Lady Banks's. The foliage of this species is very small, and paler, and the green not so fine, as any of the others. It seeds freely, and is often used as the female parent in producing new varieties; flowers small white and single, with many anthers. There are a Semi-double, and Double variety of it of the same colour.
C. maliflòra is figured in the Botanical Register, under the name of C. Sesánqua rósea. The foliage is about the same shape as C. Sesánqua, but the appearance and habit of the plant are completely different, growing very freely and quite erect; flowers very abundant. A large plant of it will continue in bloom for the space of three months. The flowers are of about six weeks' duration, colour and shape of Rose de meaux; has been highly esteemed. One plant of it has been sold for one hundred and eighty dollars.
C. Kíssii. We believe it is single white, has not come under our observation, the only species that is a native of Nepaul.
C. reticuláta was brought from China by Capt. Rawes. The foliage is very characteristic, being rougher than any of the other flowers, about five inches in diameter, brilliant scarlet, and semi-double. It was introduced into Europe in 1822, and is still very scarce. Twenty-five dollars are paid for a small twig of it. From present appearance, it will never be so plenty as many of the others, being tardy of propagation; only a few eyes on the extremity of each shoot make young wood, and if these are cut off, the plant does not seem to push afresh.
C. japónica, the original of many splendid varieties, probably to the amount of one hundred. The true one is in very few collections; it is single striped.
C. japónica rùbra is the single red of our collections, and used as stocks to enarch, graft, or inoculate the other varieties upon, being easily struck by cuttings. It seeds very freely, when the stile is impregnated, and the seedlings make the strongest and best stocks.
C. japónica álba, single white. It is mentioned in some of our catalogues, as being very sweet-scented, though not very perceptible to us. The foliage and wood are very strong, being a free seeding variety, consequently particularly desirable, as a stock to grow new varieties from. Its flowers are large and abundant.
C. semidúplex. This is a flower with two rows of petals. Some good varieties might be got from it, if properly impregnated.
C. rùbro-plèno is a strong growing and free-flowering variety. The flowers are large, double red, petals irregular, with the anthers in bunches amongst them; flowers are of long duration and showy.
C. cárnea, frequently known as Middlemist's blush. Colour pink, one of the original varieties, and frequently produces seeds; grows freely.
C. myrtifólia, known in some collections as involúta. There are two varieties of it, major and minor; the former is certainly the best, and has a very handsome, large, and regular red flower; the centre frequently is pink and purple; it is much the shape of Double white, only the petals are more cupped. The flower is of considerable duration. It is not properly named. The foliage, though the smallest of the variety, is much larger than that of any of our common myrtles, which might make many mistake its character; and another prominent feature is, the leaves are much recurved and shining.
C. hexanguláris. The flower is six angled, very compact, and dark red. It is an esteemed variety, and there has unfortunately been another inferior, substituted for it, in some of our collections. The foliage is similar in shape to anemoniflòra, with the nerves more sunk; the flowers are of an ordinary size.
C. atro-rùbens, Loddiges' red, is a very fine variety; colour dark red outside, petals large inside, small and irregular, forming a very distinct character; foliage stiff; grows freely and flowers well; and of long duration. We have seen a flower stand fresh on the plant two months; however, that cannot be a rule, as it depends on the situation.
C. anemoniflòra, or Waratah (from the central petals, having the appearance of the Waratah plant, Telopìa speciosissima.) This variety is very characteristic, both in flower and foliage. The flower is dark crimson, with five or six regular large outside petals; those of the centre are very small, and neatly plaited, with the stile (female organ) prominent; the foliage is large and oblong, nerves very smooth, and the wood strong, bark light. Had this kind not been found, we would have been deprived of many most splendid varieties, which have originated from it, and we have no doubt they may become as diversified as the roses of the garden. This variety in a collection for that alone is invaluable. It seeds freely, and the pollen of any of the others applied to the style of this, will produce a new variety, which seldom fails of being double, provided the pollen is from a double variety. It must be applied the first day that the flower is expanded, for the flower is only of a few days' duration. Those that are not acquainted with the buds of this Caméllia, will take them to be dead, because, before expansion, they are very dark brown.
C. dianthiflòra, or Knight's carnation Waratah, is, when well grown, a very beautiful flower; shape and size same as anemoniflòra (and a seedling from it by Mr. Knight, King's Road, Chelsea, London,) seemingly the stamens are crowned with small petals, red and white striped, appearing like a fine large carnation. The style appears fertile, and there is no doubt but some splendid varieties may be obtained from it.
C. blánda, or blush Waratah, flower in shape similar to anemoniflòra, rather larger, and of considerable duration.
C. pompónia, or Kew blush, flowers very large, white, with a tinge of blush at the bottom of the petals, which has a good effect in setting off the flower. They frequently bloom all blush, which appears rather curious on the same plant; shape one or two rows of guard or outside petals; those of the inside are short, stubby, and generally irregular, continues long in flower, yellow anthers among the short petals, and seeds when the female organ is perfect; foliage narrower than any of the others, a very fast grower, and flowers freely.
C. pæòniflora. The foliage, shape, and size of the flower of this, is similar to the last mentioned, colour a rich pink; we have never seen any of them vary from this; and have seen it seed very double.
C. Walbánkii, has a very large white irregular flower, by some called poppy-flowered. It is not so pure as the common double white; the anthers show amongst the petals, and the buds before expansion are very round, inclining to flatness; the foliage long and shining. The flowers are of considerable duration. We question with lutea-alba.
C. alba-plèna, common double white, is admired by the most casual observer, and is generally considered a very superior flower, from the purity of its whiteness, and the abundance of its large flowers, which are thickly and regularly set with round petals. The foliage is large, and the plant grows freely; we have seen one shoot grow two feet in one summer. It was imported into Europe from China, amongst the first of the varieties, about eighty years ago.
C. flavéscens, Lady Hume's blush, and by some called buff. It is a very double flower, and frequently hexangular; the bottom of the petals are most delicately tinged with blush; on looking into it, it shows more like a blush vapour than nature, and is a great favourite, and deservedly so, with the ladies: flowers and grows freely, foliage rhomboid, elongate, nerves very visible, surface smooth and pale green, distantly serrate.
C. fimbriàta. The size, shape, and set of the flower same as alba-plena, and the white as pure, with the edges of the petals deeply serrated, or rather fringed; is equally as free in flowering and growing. It is universally admired, and in great demand. Its character is unique, foliage very like alba-plèno. [See Frontispiece.]
C. imbricàta, said to be a very double red, with imbricated petals, and very handsome. We have not seen it in flower.
C. variagàta, is one of the old standard varieties, and very much esteemed. It is striped with red and white; sometimes the ground is red, with white streaks or blotches, and vice versa. The flower when well grown is large, and very abundant; foliage very fine dark green, similar to single white. We have had seed from it. The petals are regular, with the anthers showing amongst them; the flower double, though not so much so as many of the others.
C. crassinérvis. We have not the smallest doubt but this is the same as hexangularis, and in confirmation of our opinion, we have lately had the best authority in Europe to that effect.
C. conchiflòra, shell flowered, double, a very handsome shape, petals round, stiff set, and in the centre quite erect, red with occasional splashes of white.
C. rubricáulis, Lady Campbell's, very double, colour very rich dark red, with stripes of pure white, beautifully contrasted. The richness of this flower is very striking, and much esteemed; flowers freely.
C. longifòlia is a single red, the foliage is large, and longer than the generality of them.
C. chandlrerii, or versicolor, colour vivid scarlet with occasional splashes of pure white; the flowers vary, and are of long duration, from six to eight weeks; foliage large and dark glossy green.
C. aitònia. This variety is a beautiful specimen of a single flower affording a developement of the organ of fructification; the petals are delicately penciled, and the anthers very bold, colour pink, and the flower very large; grows freely, and, in our opinion, is surpassed by none of the single sorts, for raising fine new varieties, if impregnated with the pollen from double flowers.
C. althæiflòra, hollyhock-flowered, is a great beauty, with large double dark red flowers, the veins are very prominent, petals frequently irregular; foliage large, and approaches to the foliage of single red; and is much esteemed.
C. corallìna, coral-flowered, a very deep scarlet double flower, and bears a high character.
C. insígnis, a most splendid double flower, large dull red colour; a very free grower, and highly estimated.
C. anemoneflòra álba. Those that have seen the common anemoneflòra will be disappointed in the appearance of this, not being pure white, neither properly anemone-flowered, though a very good flower, and very distinct from any other; the petals are irregular, anthers abundant, shape resembling pompone; flower not so large.
C. heterophylla. The foliage of this varies very much, a character that none of the others possess; flower double red; and merits a place in collections.
C. Woódsii, flower fine double, rose colour; and much has been said in its favour.
C. bícolor, a single flower, with a rose ground and white streaks, very pretty, but not so large as many of the single ones.
C. speciosa is a most splendid variety, has been called China striped Waratah. The guard petals are large, round, and bold; colour red with stripes of white; the centre is full of small petals, (like anemoneflòra,) and spotted; the foliage large and more heart-shaped than any of the others; grows freely, flower persistent, highly esteemed, and considered one of the finest of the coloured Caméllias.
C. fúlgens, flower large, and very bright double red, approaching to C. atro-rubens, but more brilliant; foliage a lucid green, very smooth, young wood and wood buds have a red appearance. We have no doubt but it will seed; if so, it will be a first rate breeder.
C. grandiflóra, a very large single rich red flower, foliage very large; a most splendid single variety, and grows freely. It is recommended to all who wish to improve their collections by raising new varieties.
C. rósa sinénsis, a very large double flower, colour bright pink, petals long and full, a very distinct variety, with a beautiful dark green shining foliage, grows and flowers freely, and is highly esteemed.
C. intermédia, a very large flower, shape of C. pompònia, outside petals streaked to the extremity with a rich blush, ground colour pure white, and is in high estimation; grows and flowers freely. It is in very few collections in Europe, and only in three in the United States.
C. rose Waratáh. The description of this flower is the same as anemoneflòra, but differs in colour, and being of longer duration, the foliage is uncommonly large.
C. Pressíi's invincible. It has been asserted that it is the same as that known by C. punctata and C. Pressíi. We have not seen it flower, but have seen a drawing of it, the flower equally as large as double white, and same shape, with the petals as regular; the ground colour brilliant red, and spotted with pure white. It is one of the newest varieties, and much valued for its unique beauty; hence called Invincible; foliage large.
C. Rose Mundií, is like the garden rose of that name; a large flower, ground colour pink streaked with white.
C. compàcta is a new double white, petals and flower not so large as the common, but more compact, and is considered a very fine variety.
C. gloriòsa, is said to be a fine dark double red.
C. Róssii, is said to be a fine rich double scarlet.
Callicòma serratifòlia, the only species and remarkable for tufted yellow heads of flowers, which come out at the axils, and continue from May to July. The foliage is ovate lanceolate, deeply serrated, and opposite.
Carmichælia austràlis, the only species, has very curious foliage, which the lilac leguminose flowers come out off, and continue from April to June.
Cunònia capénsis, the only species, and a handsome shrub, with large pinnated shining leaves, beautifully contrasted by numerous dense elongated branches of small white flowers, and twigs of a red colour, having the habit of a tropical more than a Cape of Good Hope plant.
Cléthra arbórea, and C. arbórea variagàta, are both fine shrubs; the latter is preferable; leaves are oblong, accuminate, and serrated with a gold edge; flowers white, downy, in large branching racemose spikes, and sweet-scented; grows freely.
Cotoneásters. Two of this genus are deserving a situation in the Green-house, C. denticulàta, and C. microphylla; the last is a native of the mountainous districts of Nepaul, and may prove hardy; the flowers are white, small, and solitary, but in the fall it is covered with pretty red berries, and then looks beautiful; culture very easy; will grow in any situation.
Cròwea solígna, is amongst one of the finest and easiest cultivated plants of New South Wales. It flowers at the axils of the leaves, colour pink, with five petals, connected by entangled hairs; in flower from April to December, and frequently through the winter; foliage lanceolate, and a fine green. The plant grows neat, and requires an airy situation; drain the pots well.
Chorizèmas, about six species, foliage very like some varieties of the Holly; flowers small and papilionaceous; colour red and yellow; though small, they are very neat. C. nàna and C. ilicifòlia are amongst the best; if grown from seed, they will flower freely the second year; drain the pots well.
Cineràrias, Cape aster, about twelve belong to the Green-house. They are herbaceous, or half shrubby, soft wooded plants. C. speciòsa, C. amelloídes, (now called Agathæa cæléstus,) C. purpùrea, and C. lanàta, are among the finest; flowers blue or yellow; the latter is considered the handsomest of the genus. The exterior petals are bright purple, and the interior ones white, and with A. cæléstus, flowers most of the year; flowers syngenesious and star-like. The herbaceous species must be treated as previously mentioned for that kind of plants.
Cístus, or Rock rose. There are above thirty species, principally natives of Europe, consequently hardy there, and form a great ornament to their gardens, being very abundant and various in flower; but with us they will not stand the rigour of winter. We have no doubt, however, but, through time, some kinds may be grown that will withstand the greatest cold of the middle states; they are low shrubby plants of easy cultivation. C. ladaníferus, C. monspeliénsis, C. sálignus, C. popolifòlius, and C. undulàtus, are perhaps the best; the flowers are of short duration, frequently only for one day; but the quantity makes up this deficiency, being constantly in flower in May and June, and sometimes flower again in autumn. C. crèticus is most productive of the Gum laudanum, which is secreted about its leaves and branches. The flowers are generally five-petaled, and some of them large; centre full of stamens; the foundation of the natural order Cistinea.
Clématis, Virgin's Bower. There are only six of these belonging to this, all climbing plants. C. aristàta and C. brachiàta are the best; flowers in racemose clusters, pure white; foliage small; and natives of the Cape of Good Hope. The foliage of C. aristàta is cordate and blotched.
Cobæa scándens, the only species. It is a climber of very rapid growth, has been known to grow above two hundred feet in one summer; large bell-shaped flowers; when they are newly expanded, they are of a pale green colour, and change to dark purple; will grow in the garden during summer, bearing a continual profusion of flowers, but will not stand frost. When this plant becomes too large in the house, do not cut it close to the root, except there is a young shoot arising to carry off the superabundant sap, for the old wood will not push, which will soon cause a mortification.
The best method to adopt in such case is to turn back a shoot, and lay it in the ground to root, when it will become a young plant; which should always be done as soon as it appears unsightly. It does best to be planted in the ground, but will not give any satisfaction as to flowering in a pot. It will flower as an annual if sown in pots this month, and placed in a warm room or hot-bed, and planted into the garden about the end of May.
Coroníllas, a very few are fine species in the Green-house. C. glaúca is a celebrated plant amongst us, as a free and early flowering shrub. C. valentíana and C. viminális are equally so, flower from April to June, colour yellow; papilionaceous flowers in clusters; agree best with shade. In summer they ought to be kept behind a fence, or under a tree, as the sun would destroy them in a few weeks. Drain the pots well.
Corréas, five species, all very pretty dwarf shrubs, and flower profusely; foliage ovate, cordate, and either rusty or downy beneath. C. álba and C. rúfa have both white flowers a little tubular. C. pulchélla is a very handsome erect growing plant, flowers large and tubular, of a deep pink colour, and grows freely: it is thought the finest of the genus. C. speciòsa has been long admired as a splendid free flowering plant; flowers same shape as C. pulchélla, but not so large; colour red and yellowish green. C. virèns is a very free grower, flowers same shape as the two last, colour entirely green. These three last mentioned are abundant flowerers, having a continued succession from November to June, possessing the valuable requisite of flowering through the winter, and ought to be in every collection. They require an airy situation, and the pots to be well drained. The plants in summer must not be fully exposed to the sun.
Cratàgus. There are none of these belonging to the Green-house; but there is a plant in the collections, known as C. glabra, which is Photínia serrulàta, a native of China, and is a very handsome plant, has long foliage, deeply serrated, very shining. P. arbutifòlia, a native of California, and is the finest of the genus; flowers in large dense panicles, foliage larger than the former, and not so deeply serrated; they are both comparatively hardy, and we soon expect to see them acclimated.
Cupréssus may be desired in collections, as erect and handsome growing evergreen shrubs. C. lusitánica, the famed cedar of Goa; C. péndula and C. juniperoídes are the most desirable; flowers are insignificant, and yellowish; we have no doubt they may prove hardy. C. lusitánica is the handsomest tree of the genus. Its abundant, very long dichotomous branchlets, distinguish it from all the evergreens of the conoferious tribe.
Calámpelis scábra, once Eccremocárpus scáber, is a very fine climber, where there is a convenience to plant it in the ground. It will flower profusely from March to November; foliage pinnate, with tendrils; flowers from the axils on young shoots in a kind of racemose, and of a golden colour; grows freely.
Celástris, staff-tree, about twenty-five species; of no particular beauty. Some of them have numerous small white flowers, in cymes and panicles; foliage generally ovate, acute, and serrated. C. pyracántha, C. cymósa, C. multiflòrus, and C. lúcidus, are the most conspicuous, and all the genera are of easy culture.
Coòkia púnctata, Wampee-tree of China, named in honour of the celebrated Capt. Cook. The fruit is much esteemed in China, where it grows to about the size of a walnut, in bunches; leaves pinnate, ovate, lanceolate, accuminate; when rubbed, have a strong odour; flower small white in racemose spikes, of slow growth.
C. allistàchys. There are two of them very handsome large growing shrubs. C. lanceolàta and C. ovàta, foliage silky-like, and light coloured; flowers yellow, papilionaceous, and very abundant.
Davièsias, above ten species, principally natives of New South Wales, all yellow papilionaceous flowers. D. ulicìna, D. latifòlia, D. aciculàris, and D. inricssàta, are very fine species, flower and grow freely, and require to be well drained; bloom from April to August.
Diósmas. This genus is now very much divided, and only contains about thirteen species: the generas that they have been given to, are Adenándra, Barosma, Acmadènia, and Agathósma. We will enumerate a few of the finest species of each. D. capitála, D. oppositifólia, D. longifòlia, D. rùbra, and D. teretifòlia, are the most conspicuous, all small white flowers except D. rùbra; foliage small, and all handsome growing evergreens.
Adenándras, eight species. This genus is the most select of those that have been subdivided. A. speciòsa, A. umbellàta, A. álba, A. fragràns, and A. uniflòra, are all splendid flowers: and all white except A. fragràns, which is red. Pots must be well drained.
Barósmas, above ten species. B. serratifòlia, B. pulchèlla, purple, B. fœtidíssima, blush, B. odoràta, white, and B. dioíca, pink, are the finest.
Acmadènias, five species. A. lavigàta, A. púngens, and A. tetragònia, blush, are good species.
Agathósmas, above twenty-five species, many of them very celebrated free flowering shrubby plants. A. accuminàta, A. hybrida, A. Thunbergiàna, A. imbricàta, A. prolífera, A. pátula, and A. pulchélla, which is the finest of the genus, the dried leaves of which the Hottentots use as powder to mix with the grease with which they anoint their bodies. Some travellers assert that it gives them so rank an odour, that they sometimes could not bear the smell of those who were their guides. In fact the foliage of all the five last mentioned generas, if rubbed by the hand while on the plant, has a very strong smell, some of them very agreeable, others disagreeable. They are all heath-like and evergreen small neat growing shrubs. They require while growing luxuriantly to have their young shoots topped to make them bushy; drain all the pots well, and keep them in airy situations, and not crowded with other plants, or they will become slender and unsightly.
Dryándras. This genus is closely allied in character and habits to Bánksia, and contains above sixteen species. D. nívea, has a most beautiful foliage, very long and deeply indented. D.formòsa, has a scent like the fruit of an Apricot. D. nervòsa, D. floribúnda, D. armàta, D. plumòsa, D. Baxtèri, D. nervòsa, and D. falcàta, are the most conspicuous, and all highly desirable plants in collections. They are very delicate of importation; flowers are straw and orange coloured and thistlelike. Seeds in small cones. Treat them the same as directed for Bánksias.
Dillwynias, above twelve species, and plants very little known. D. floribúnda, D. teretifòlia, and D. phylicoides, are desirable plants; flowers small, papilionaceous, and colour yellow. They are very liable to suffer from too much wet; while dormant, therefore, the pots must be effectually drained.
Dampièras, four species. The genus is named in honour of Captain W. Dampier, a famous voyager, has Lobelia-like flowers, either blue or purple. C. purpùrea, C. undulàta, and C. strícta, are the finest; the two former are shrubby; the latter is herbaceous; they all flower freely.
Edwárdsias, about four species, very beautiful foliaged plants and have very curious yellow flowers, but do not flower until the plant becomes large. E. grandiflòra, E. chrysòphylla, and E. meirophylla, are the best, and are tolerably hardy, though doubtful of ever being acclimated. The flowers are leguminose, foliage ovate, pinnate, from eight to forty on one footstalk, and appears to be covered with gold dust. The hardier they are grown, the more visible it will appear.