Page:Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Volume 73 (1847).djvu/61



Heart-leaved Skull-cap.

Nat. Ord.

Gen. Char. (Vide supra, ../../Volume 72/4268.)

cordifolia ; caule erecto ramoso ramisque obtuse tetragonis racemisque (nunc ramosis) longissimis pubescenti-glanduloso-pilosis, foliis longe petiolatis membranaceis pallide luteo-viridibus mollibus rotundato-cordatis copiose rugoso-reticulatis acutis pubescenti-pilosis grosse sinuato-dentatis, floribus subverticillatis glanduloso-pubescentibus, bracteis angustis cito deciduis, calyce parvo, corolla (coccinea) gracili calyce multoties longiore, labio superiore 3-fido lobo intermedio breviore emarginato.

cordifolia. ''Benth. in De Cand. Prodr. ined.''

cordifolia. ''Schlecht. in Linnæa, v. 6. p. 3 74.''

splendens. ''Klotzsch, Ic. Pl. Rar. Berol.p. 31. t. 13.''

For this beautiful Scutellaria, the Royal Gardens of Kew are indebted to Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting, who had received it from the Continent, under the name of Scutellaria splendens; and as such the species is described in the beautiful work of my friend Dr. Klotzsch, above quoted. It is, however, assuredly the S. cordifolia, Benth. (Perilomia, Schlecht.), and a native of Misantla and other parts of Mexico. The brilliant red colour, the size and general form of the flowers, indicate an affinity with S. Ventenatii; but the hue is more inclined to orange-red, the corolla is longer and more slender, the flowers are not secund or distichous, but subverticillate, and pointing in all directions; it has shorter stems, and very different foliage in colour, form, texture and reticulation. It flowers in the stove in September and October.

Stem nearly erect, branched; with the branches divaricated, four-sided, pubescent with glandular hairs. Leaves opposite, large, downy, cordate, membranaceous, coarsely and almost sinuato-dentate, pale green, reticulated and wrinkled with the copious venations. Petioles an inch and a half long, pilose.