This is a high-resolution digital download of Plate 4176 from Curtis's Botanical Magazine. The original illustration was hand-colored in the 1800s. This listing includes both the botanical image and its accompanying description tab.

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TAB. 4176.

PORPHYROCOMA LANCEOLATA. Lance-leaved Porphyrocoma.

Nat. Ord. ACANTHACEÆ.-DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.

Generic Character PORPHYROCOMA, Hort.-Calyx 5-partitus, laciniis subæqua-

libus, subulatis, basi tribracteis, bracteis coloratis magnis in spicam quadrifariam digestis, exteriore majore, duabus interioribus minoribus, omnibus spathulatis carinatis. Corolla longe exserta, tubulosa, bilabiata, labiis subæqualibus, superiore angusto, recto, apice bifido, inferiore latiore, reflexo, trifido. Stamina 2, labiis paulo breviora. Antheræ loculis divergentibus. Ovarium ovatum, basi capsula immersa. Stylus longitudine fere corollæ. Stigma obtusum. Capsula oblonga stipitata bilocularis. Semina 2, in singulis loculis, orbicularia plana retinaculo subtensa. Fruticosa. Patria -? Folia opposita, lanceolata basi attenuata, sub- sessilia, integerrima. Spicæ terminales et subterminales aggregate, bracteata, brac- teis exterioribus magnis vividi-purpureis, quadrifariam dispositis unifloris. Flores exserti, purpureo-cærulei. PORPHYROCOMA lanceolata, Hort. For the possession of this truly charming plant we are indebted to Mr. Forkel, Gardener to His Majesty the King of the Belgians, at Brussels, who sent it to us under the above name; but unfor- tunately without any history, so as to leave us in the dark as to its native country, or the author of its very appropriate name, (Toppupa, purple, and кóun, head of hair), given in allusion to the singularly richly coloured spikes of deep purple, from within the scales of which the scarcely less brightly coloured (but more inclin- ing to blue) flowers appear. It was exhibited in the Horticultural Society's Rooms, and excited admiration from the beauty of the blossoms which consist in the dark purple comb-like parts half covering the Lamium-like violet flowers. It is a stove plant, and continues flowering during the spring and summer months. It It may be referred to the Tribe Echma- tacanthi, Nees, and the Sub-tribe Justiciea, Nees.

Botanical Description Our Plant is about a foot high, clothed more parti-

cularly in the upper part with rather large drooping lanceolate leaves, quite entire at the margin, acuminated at the point, taper- ing at the base, but scarcely petioled, quite glabrous, dark green, AUGUST 1ST, 1845. © Thriny whiskers with very oblique nerves. Spikes aggregate, terminal, and subter- minal, deeply four-angled from the opposite closely placed and im- bricated bracteas of the richest purple colour. Each of these is spa- tulate, membranous, carinate, acute; and within it are two which are smaller and narrower, one on each side the solitary sessile flower. Calyx small, of five deep, almost subulate, rather unequal, erect segments. Corolla a good deal protruded beyond the bracts, purplish-blue, tubular, two-lipped; upper lip straight and narrow, two-lobed at the apex, lower one broader, bent down and three- lobed at the apex. Stamens two, as long as the corolla. Anther- cells two, divaricated yet partially parallel. Ovary ovate, with its base sunk in a fleshy cup. Style as long as the corolla. Stigma obtuse. Fruit concealed by the large persistent bracteas, unguiculate, two-celled, two-valved. Each cell contains two flat- tened nearly orbicular seeds, supported by a curved process or retinaculum.

Figures

Fig. 1. Calyx (including the pistil) with side bracts. 2. Corolla laid open. 3. Anther. 4. Germen and hypogynous cup :-magnified. Paniglod of ab Jud) barolos vidgitd ilusio out mi betidulzs an off (ould of gui odd to med bit mort froit guinga oil, gaub gurewolf an sodi odd of horalar ad eroar borjob,dyal doot a diode of O 0 arabenordals ourp,bolortoq t teapold