ths of May, June, and July, during most of which time it was covered
with a profusion of bloom[1].

Though it produces blossoms in abundance, it affords but little seed,
but may be increased by slips or cuttings.

It is a hardy perennial, a native of France, Italy, Switzerland, and
Carinthia, loves a pure air and a dry situation[2], grows best among
rocks, stones, or out of a wall, and certainly is one of the best plants
imaginable for ornamenting of rock-work.

I received seeds of it, and many other rare plants, from my very kind
friend Mr. DAVAL, of Orbe, in Switzerland.

[155]

OXALIS VERSICOLOR. STRIPED-FLOWER'D WOOD-SORREL.

_Class and Order._

DECANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ unguibus connexa. _Caps._ angulis dehiscens,
5-gona.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

OXALIS _versicolor_ caule erecto hirto, pedunculis unifloris, foliis
ternatis: foliolis linearibus callosis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14.
Murr. p. 114. p. 434._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. v. 2. p. 114._

OXYS Africana foliis tenuissimis, flore amplo versicolore. _Pluk.
Amalth. 169. t. 434. f. 5._

OXYS Africana foliis tenuissimis in summitate caulis. _Raii Suppl. 598._

[Illustration: No 155]

The _Oxalis-versicolor_ is considered as one of the most beautiful of
the many species cultivated in gardens; and, though well known to, and
described by several of the older Botanists, has graced our collections
but a few years, being introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew, from the
Cape (where, as well as in Ethiopia, it grows spontaneously) by Mr.
MASSON, in the Year 1774.

Many of this genus flower early in the spring, the season in which this
species also puts forth its blossoms, but by dexterous management it may
be made to flower during most of the year; and this is effected by
placing the pea-like tubera or knobs which the root sends forth, and by
which the plant is propagated, in pots filled with loam and bog-earth at
stated distant periods.

Like most of the Cape plants, it is well adapted to the greenhouse, and
succeeds best when placed on a front shelf of the house, where it can
have plenty of light and air; some keep it in the stove, but there the
plant is drawn up, and the flowers lose a part of their brilliancy: in
no situation do they ever expand but when the sun shines on them; this
is the less to be regretted, as they are most beautiful when closed.

[156]

COREOPSI