Cobaea
(named after B. Cobo, a Spanish botanist). ORD. Polemoniaceae. Very ornamental rapid-growing green-house or conservatory perennials. Flowers large, campanulate, solitary, and axillary; calyx foliaceous, persistent. Leaves pinnate, with two or three pairs of leaflets, and a terminal tendril. They are readily raised from seeds, in spring, a gentle bottom heat alone being necessary if the seeds are new; old seeds are not reliable. A free and moderately rich soil is necessary. Cobaeas do best if planted out, but, at the same time, they thrive in large pots. In autumn, the long shoots can be pruned back, and fresh growth will be made in spring. The general gracefulness and very floriferous habit of these plants render them peculiarly well adapted for growing against bare walls, arches, porches, &c. For outdoor culture, they are generally, and most effectively, treated as annuals. The variegated form of C. scandens must be increased by cuttings, taken when young, in spring, and inserted in pots of sandy soil, placed in gentle bottom heat. C. penduliflora (drooping-flowered).* fl. on drooping peduncles; corolla green, campanulate, with the tube 1in. long, divided at the edge into five strap-shaped, pendulous, wavy lobes, 3in. to 4in. long, which impart to the flowers an unique appearance. December. l. formed of two pairs of small oblong acute leaflets. Caraccas, 1868. A graceful, slender, cool stove climber. (B. M. 5757.) C. scandens (climbing).* fl. large, campanulate, with a short dark purple tube; lobes of corolla rather spreading, broad, short, roundish, imbricated, ciliated. May to October. l., leaflets three pairs, elliptic, mucronate, marginate, and slightly ciliated; lower pair close to the stem, and sub-auriculate on one side at the base. Tendrils branched. Mexico, 1792. (B. M. 851.) There is a very ornamental form, having variegated foliage. C. macrostema, Guayaquil, and C. stipularis, Mexico, are two interesting yellowish-green flowered species; but those described above are the best for general cultivation.