This is a high-resolution digital download of Plate 4187 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.

Perfect for art collectors, interior decor, or historical enthusiasts. No physical item will be shipped.

TAB. 4187.

TACSONIA MOLLISSIMA. Downy-leaved Tacsonia.

Nat. Ord. PASSIFLOREE.-MONADELPHIA PENTANDRIA.

Generic Character Calycis tubus longus, limbus 10-lobus, faux membrana squamu-

losa instructa. Habitus Passiflora. De Cand. TACSONIA (Bracteogama) mollissima; foliis tripartitis pubescentibus subtus tomentosis basi cordatis laciniis ovato-lanceolatis serratis, petiolis pluri- glandulosis, stipulis semiovatis cuspidato-acuminatis dentatis, pedunculo unifloro, flore glaberrimo, calycis segmentis intus coloratis (roseis), nectario glanduloso ad faucem tubi. TACSONIA mollissima. H. B. K. Nov. Gen. Am. v. 2. p. 144. De Cand. Prodr. 4 p. 334. A worthy companion to the scarcely less beautiful T. pinnati- stipula, figured at our TAB. 4062; and, like it, only requiring a cool greenhouse; for though indigenous in the tropics of New Grenada, yet growing at a height of nine to ten thousand feet above the level of the sea, it is evident that a temperate cli- mate suits it best. It probably occupies an extensive geographical range at the elevations just mentioned. Humboldt found it about Santa Fè de Bogota, and Mr. W. Lobb in woods near Quito. It is from seeds sent home by the latter to Messrs. Veitch at Exeter, that the plants were raised from which the accompanying figure was taken, and these we have reason to know will soon be brought into the market. From Mr. Veitch we have received the following particulars. "We have cultivated it in the stove, but there the flowers inva- riably dropped off before they had expanded. In a cool green- house it blooms freely, and from what Mr. Lobb has said respecting it, and from our own experience, I am inclined to think it might survive our winters here (Devonshire) on a sheltered wall, and we shall try this experiment. As a conservatory climber it is emi- nently beautiful and is best cultivated in a mixture of loam and peat with decayed leaves and a little sharp sand. It bids fair to strike readily in the usual manner." OCTOBER 1ST, 1845. Thrifty Whiskers Our figure was made in August, but the plants will probably bear a succession of these lovely blossoms till the cold weather sets in. The species is nearly allied to Tacsonia tripartita of Jussieu ; but the leaves are cordate and the segments much broader.

Botanical Description A long-stemmed climbing plant, with rounded

branches. Leaves cordate in circumscription, deeply divided into three ovato-lanceolate, serrated segments, dark green and downy above, paler and almost tomentose beneath, reticulato-venose. Tendrils simple. Stipules rather small, semiovate, toothed, acumi- nato-cuspidate. Peduncle solitary, single-flowered, much shorter than the tube of the flower, but longer than the petiole, which latter has several glands. Involucre three-fid, or rather of three united bracteas at first sheathing. Calyx-tube very long, stout, cylindrical, green, quite glabrous (as is the whole flower), the mouth glandular at the margin; segments five oblong, obtuse, mucronate, green at the back, the margins and outlines full rose- colour. Petals five, oblong, obtuse, rose-colour. Column as long as the tube. Filaments exserted. Anthers yellow. Ovary oval. Styles dilated upwards; stigmas capitate.