Limodorum Tuberosum

For this rare plant I am indebted to the very laudable exertions of a late Gardener of mine, James Smith, who, in the spring of the year 1788, examining attentively the bog earth which had been brought over with some plants of the Dionaea Muscipula, found several small tooth like knobby roots, which being placed in pots of the same earth, and plunged into a tan pit having a gentle heat, produced plants the ensuing summer, two of which flowered, and from the strongest of those our figure was taken.From this circumstance we learn, that this species is a native of South Carolina, and properly a bog plant, growing spontaneously with the Dionaea Muscipula.Both Mr. Dryander and Dr. J. E. Smith assure me, that it is the true Limodorum tuberosum of Linnaeus, the one usually called by that name is a native of the West Indies, and treated as a stove plant.From the little experience we have had of the management of this species, it appears to us to be scarcely hardy enough for the open border, yet not tender enough to require a stove. We have succeeded best by treating it in the manner above mentioned, we may observe, that the tan pit spoken of was built in the open garden, not in a stove, and was for the purpose of raising plants or seeds by a gentle heat, as well as for striking cuttings and securing plants from cold in the winter.Our figure will make a description of the plant unnecessary, its flowering stem with us has arisen to the height of a foot and a half, the number of flowers has not exceeded five. In its most luxuriant state it will probably be found much larger, and to produce more flowers.