Curtis Botanical Magazine Plate 626 - Babiana disticha (Hyacinth-scented Babiana) | Original Hand-Colored Print

Original hand-colored antique botanical print from Curtis's Botanical Magazine - Plate 626, Babiana disticha (Hyacinth-scented Babiana).

• Plate: 626
• Latin name: Babiana disticha
• Common name: Hyacinth-scented Babiana
• Native region: Cape of Good Hope
• Flowering: June
• Linnaean class / order: Triandria / Monogynia
• Publication: Feb. 1, 1803
• Artist: S. Edwards
• Engraver: F. Sansom
• Medium: Original hand-colored engraving (physical print, not a reproduction)

Original Curtis text
Transcribed from the plate's accompanying description page:

[ 626 ]

BABIANA DISTICHA. HYACINTH-SCENTED BABIANA.

. . .

Class and Order.
TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

Generic Character.
—Vide N°. 576.

Specific Character and Synonyms.
BABIANA disticha; foliis rigidiusculis subvillosis plicis alte liratis, scapo stricto, floribus distichis: tubo spatha triplo longiore: laciniis æqualibus linearibus oblongis alternis crispulis. G. GLADIOLUS plicatus. Jacq. ic. rar. 2. l. 237. Coll. 4. 155. Leaves shorter than the stem, oblong-lanceolate, thinly villose, ciliate, deep green, plaits deeply furrowed; corolla nearly regular and upright; segments patently recurved, obtuse, longer than faux and tube, upper one rather the largest. Flowers so exceedingly fragrant, that we do not know a plant on this account more desirable: scent somewhat like that of the Single Oriental Hyacinth, but much more exquisite. Native of the Cape, is easily increased, but like the whole of this genus is not so free a blower as Ixia, Watsonia, or Gladiolus; we should think it advisable not to remove the roots from their pots above once in three or four years, as these require to be of a good age before they flower at all, and are not nearly so liable to rot as many of the species of Ixia and Gladiolus. Our drawing was taken at the Nursery of Messrs. COLVILLES, King's-Road, Chelsea, where it flowered in June. G.

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This print comes from our Curtis archive (via the Royal Horticultural Society and Wheldon & Wesley). Sold as an original historic plate - please review photos for condition.