CATESBÆA, the LILY-THORN: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the tetrandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 28th order, Luride. The corolla is monopetalous, funnel-shaped, very long above the receptacle of the fruit; the stamens are within its throat; the fruit a polypermous berry. There is only one species, viz. the spinosa, which was discovered in the island of Providence by Mr Catesby, who gathered the seeds, and brought them to England. It rises to the height of ten or twelve feet, and is covered with a pale ruffet bark; the branches come out alternately, and are garnished with small leaves resembling those of the box-tree, coming out in clusters all round the branches at certain distances; the flowers hang downward, and come out from the side of the branches: they are tubulous and near six inches long, very narrow at their base, but widening upwards towards the top, where it is divided into four parts which spread open, and are reflexed backward. They are of a dull yellow colour. This plant is propagated by seeds which must be procured from the country where it grows. The seeds must be sown on a hot-bed, and are to be treated in the same manner as other tender exotics.
CATESBÆA
article · 1,231 chars · lineage ↗ · page image at NLS ↗