Darlingtonia
(named in honour of Dr. Darlington, an American botanist). ORD. Sarraceniaceae. A very curious and remarkable hardy herbaceous monotypic genus, allied to Sarracenia, but without the curious umbrella-shaped summit to the style, which is so conspicuous in the latter. It is an admirable plant for growing in the greenhouse, in conjunction with Cephalotus, Drosera, Sarracenia, &c., and requires the same cultural treatment. Out of doors, it thrives best in a damp and shady position, in the rockery or fermery, where it must be kept well supplied with water. The best soil is one composed of peat and chopped sphagnum, to which plenty of sharp sand and small pieces of limestone are added. Darlingtonias should have the protection of a handlight, which is preferable to a bell glass, as ventilation may be more easily given. It is usually considered somewhat difficult to get the seeds to germinate and grow. The following mode of treatment has, however, been found successful: The pots should be filled, within 1in. of the top, with fibrous peat, charcoal, fresh-chopped sphagnum, and sand, in equal parts, then coated with fresh tips of sphagnum. On this the seeds should be sprinkled, and well watered, the pots being stood in pans of water, and covered with a bell glass, in order to keep the atmosphere above the seeds in a moist condition. The pots should then be placed in a shady position in a cool greenhouse, and in about five or six weeks the seeds will commence germinating. When strong enough, the seedlings should be pricked off into pans filled with the same compost as above mentioned, and transferred to a cold, shady frame, where they must be kept constantly moist. Perfect drainage and a cool, shady position, are at all times absolutely essential.
D. californica (Californian).* fl. about 2in. in diameter; sepals whitish or pale green; petals yellow-green, marked with dark red-brown veins, oblong. April. l., or pitchers, slender at the base, gradually swelling upwards; apex bent over, or hood-like, with a large triangular process depending from the aperture; ground colour bright green, upper portion and throat beautifully mottled with white, and reticulated with reddish-pink veins. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. California, 1861. (B. M. 5920.)