HIBISCUS _syriacus_ foliis cuneiformi ovatis superne incise-serratis, caule arboreo. _Lin. Syst. Veg. p. 630._ ALCEA arborescens syriaca. _Bauh. Pin. p. 316._ ALTHAEA frutex flore albo vel purpureo. _Park. Par. p. 369._ [Illustration: No 83] The _Hibiscus syriacus_, known generally by the name of _Althaea frutex_, is a native of Syria, and forms one of the chief ornaments of our gardens in autumn; we view it, however, with less delight, as it is a sure indication of approaching winter. There are many varieties of it mentioned by authors, as the _purple, red-flowered, white-flowered, variegated red and white flowered_, and the _striped-flowered_, to which may be added, another variety, lately introduced, with double flowers: it varies also in its foliage, which is sometimes marked with white, sometimes with yellow. As from the lateness of its flowering, and the want of sufficient warmth, it rarely ripens its seeds with us; the usual mode of increasing it is by layers, and sometimes by cuttings; but the best plants are raised from seeds. MILLER observes, that the scarce varieties may be propagated by grafting them on each other, which is the common method of propagating the sorts with striped leaves. In the time of PARKINSON it was not looked on as a hardy shrub: he thus writes,--"they are somewhat tender, and would not be suffered to be uncovered in the winter time, or yet abroad in the garden, but kept in a large pot or tubbe, in the house or in a warme cellar, if you would have them to thrive." _Park. Parad._ [84] TUSSILAGO ALPINA. ALPINE COLTSFOOT. _Class and Order._ SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA. _Generic Character._ _Receptaculum_ nudum. _Pappus_ simplex. _Cal._ squamae aequales, discum aequantes, submembranaceae. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ TUSSILAGO _alpina_ scapo unifloro subnudo, foliis cordato orbiculatis crenatis utrinque virentibus. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 755._ TUSSILAGO alpina rotundifolia glabra. _Bauh. Pin. 197._ [Illustration: No 84] This species, a native of the Alps, of Switzerland, and Austria, is frequently kept in gardens for the sake of variety; like the rest of the genus, it flowers early in the spring, in March and April; is a very hardy perennial, increases most readily in a moist shady situation, is usually kept in pots for the convenience of sheltering it in very severe seasons; but it will grow readily enough in the open border. All plants that flower early, though ever so hardy, require some kind of shelter, previous to, and during their flowering. Is propagated by parting its roots in autumn. [85] SPARTIUM JUNGEUM. SPANISH BROOM. _Class and Order._ DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. _Generic Character._ _Stigma_ longitudinale, supra villosum. _Filamenta_ germini adhaerentia. _Calyx_ deorsum productus. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ SPARTIUM _junceum_ ramis oppositis teretibus apice floriferis, foliis lanceolatis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p. 643._