A New Case of Parthenogenesis in The Vegetable Kingdom

Abstract

EIGHT years ago I discovered in the Quebrada (i.e. ravine) of Guarenas, about nine miles to the east of Caracas, and approximately at 650 metres above the level of the sea, one of those charming groups of tropical vegetation, which are equally interesting to the botanist and to the lover of the picturesque beauties of nature. A magnificent specimen of Pogonopus Ottonis was all aglow with its large rosy sepals; up to its highest branches a luxuriant Vitis caribœa had ascended in graceful festoons, laden with blackish grapes, and displaying now and then in the gentle breeze the silvery glimmer from the under side of its palmate leaves; whilst in the damp shade underneath throve a colony of Gloxinia pallidiflora, a plant which from its bruised leaves gives out a smell identical with that of the spearmint.