Home1797 Edition

AZALEA

Volume 2 · 281 words · 1797 Edition

American Upright Honeysuckle: A genus of the monogyne order, belonging to the pentandra clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 18th order, Bicornes. The corolla is bell-shaped; the stamens are inserted into the receptacle; and the capsule has five cells. There are six species, of which the most remarkable are the following:

1. The viticola, with a white flower, is a low shrub, rising with several stems to the height of two or three feet. The leaves come out in clusters without any order at the end of the shoots, and their edges are set with very short teeth which are rough. The flowers come out in clusters between the leaves, have much the appearance of honeysuckle, and are as well scented.

2. The nudiflora, or red American upright honeysuckle, grows taller than the first; and in its native country will sometimes arrive at the height of 12 feet, but in Britain never rises to above half that height. It hath several stems with oblong smooth leaves. The flower-stalks arise from the division of the branches, which are long and naked, naked, supporting a cluster of red flowers: these are divided at the top into five equal segments which spread open. Another species with bright red flowers was found by Mr Lighthfoot upon the tops of many mountains in the Highlands of Scotland.—The first two species require a moist soil and a sandy situation, and can only be propagated from slips, as they never produce good seeds in Britain. The Autumn is the best time to remove the plants, and their roots ought to be covered in winter. They are most beautiful plants, and well worth cultivating.