Myrtus Tomentosa Woolly-leaved Myrtle

<p><em>Class and Order.</em></p>

<p>Icosandria Monogynia.</p>

<p><em>Generic Character.</em></p>

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<p><em>Cal.</em> 5-fidus, superus. <em>Petala</em> 5. <em>Bacca</em> 2. s. 3 sperma. </p>

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<p><em>Specific Character and Synonyms.</em></p>

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<p>MYRTUS <em>tomentosa</em> pedunculis unifloris, foliis triplinervii, subtus tomentosis. <em>Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 159.</em></p>

<p>ARBOR sinensis canell&aelig; folio minore, trinervi, prona parte villoso, fructu caryophylli aromatici majoris villis similiter obducto. <em>Pluk. Amalth. 21. t. 372. f. 1.</em> </p>

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<div> <img src="/images/flowers/img074tb.jpg" alt="" title="" height="400" width="250" /> No249. <br />

<a href="/images/flowers/img074.jpg">View larger image</a> </div>

<p>In the third edition of the <em>Species Plant.</em> of Linn&aelig;us, published in 1764, thirteen Myrtles are described; in the 13th edition of the <em>Syst. Natur.</em> published by Gmelin in 91, forty-one are enumerated; thus in twenty-seven years this genus has gained an accession of twenty-eight species: most of these are natives of warm climates, and few comparatively have been introduced to this country, six species only being mentioned in the <em>Hort. Kew.</em> of Mr. Aiton, in that work the <em>tomentosa</em> here figured, not known to Linn&aelig;us or Miller is specifically described, and there Mr. Aiton informs us that it is a native of China, and was introduced by Mrs. Norman about the year 1766.</p>

<p>Since that period it has fallen into the hands of various cultivators, and flowered perhaps in greater perfection than it did originally at Kew; the peduncles, in the various specimens we have seen usually supporting more than one flower.</p>

<p>It is a shrub of great beauty, both in respect to its foliage and flowers, bearing but little similitude to the common Myrtle, if suffered to grow, acquiring the height of many feet.</p>

<p>Its blossoms are produced in June and July, the buds are covered with a white down, as is also the underside of the leaves, whence its name of <em>tomentosa</em>.</p>

<p>It has been customary to treat it as a stove plant, such it is considered in the <em>Hort. Kew.</em> there is great reason however to believe, that it is by no means tender, and that it may succeed as most of the Chinese plants do in a good greenhouse.</p>

<p>It is usually increased by cuttings which are struck difficulty.</p>