Article de W. Herbert dans Edwards's Botanical Register, 24: 81-82, misc.151, 1838.
151. URCEOLINA pendula.
Herb. Am. p. 193. app. - U. fulva ? ib. 194. t. 26. f. 5.
Collania urceolata. R. et Sch. syst. 8. 892.
U. pendula ; bulbo ovato, foliis 2-4 longč pedunculatis laminā 9-unciali 4 unc.
latā apiculatā, scapo sesquipedali rotundatč subancipiti pallidč subglauco,
spathā sesquiunciali pallidā, umbellā 5-9-florā pedunculis curvis spathā bre-
vioribus, germine pendulo 3/16 unc. subgloboso costato viridi, tubo semunciali
viridi, coronā ¼ unc. sinubus interstamineis, limbo 1¼ unc. luteo-subrubes-
cente apicem versus viridi albomarginato, filamentis limbo longioribus sepa-
lino superiore elongato, petalino inferiore abbreviato, stylo producto, stigmate
parvulo, antheris luteis brevibus a tertiā parte affixis. - W. H.
"This remarkable plant flowered for the first time at
Spofforth in June last, having been kept dry in the green-
house during the winter, and it has verified the prediction
(Herb. Amar. p. 194.) that "some attempt to form a mem-
branous cup must be found in this genus when better known,"
under which persuasion, as is there stated, it was placed in
the Pancratiform section, though it had been called a Crinum
by Ruiz, who entirely overlooked the membrane on the teeth
of which the filaments are borne, and of which the edge is
conspicuous on looking into the flower, though its sides are
completely adhesive to the limb, which can however be
stripped off from it. This adhesion of the lower part of the
segments of the limb to the cup gives it the appearance of
forming a part of the tube, which is not truly the case. The
size of the flowers is exaggerated in the Flora Peruviana,
and it is therefore probable that the specimen which was
named fulva from its apparently deeper colour, and its
smaller and more numerous flowers, may not be distinct.
Leperiza latifolia (Pancratium latifolium of Ruiz) is closely
allied to Urceolina, and as the staminiferous membrane is
found to exist in the latter, it is not improbable, (as stated
Herb. Amar. p. 195) that the genus Leperiza will merge in
Urceolina, supposing the lily-like scaly bulb represented in
the Fl. Per. to be an error of the artist's ; in which case the
principal distinguishing feature of Leperiza would be the
freedom of the upper part of the cup, the foliage and habit
being very similar.
"Urceolina likes a strong rich loam. It is a native of
the shady woods of the Peruvian Andes, and its leaves suffer
from exposure to a fierce sun. It seems to thrive in a higher
L. November, 1838. mtemperature than the Peruvian Ismenes, and not to grow so
vigorously as they do out of doors in this country. The
bulbs should not be watered in winter." W. H.
Mr. Herbert has favoured me with the foregoing notice
of this curious little yellow and green flowered Amaryllida-
ceous plant.