2-979-664 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Amherstia nobilis in flower, 1857. 'This exotic, which may be considered as the rarest plant in England, is now flourishing in full bloom in the new conservatory built purposely for its reception by the Marchioness of Londonderry at Wynyard. The plant, when very small - a foot high - was brought from India by Sir James Hogg, and presented by him to the Marchioness. Great care and expense have been bestowed upon it under the direction of her Ladyship, who has had the gratification to see it blossom twice...[It] is about ten feet high...[and bears] large polypetalous flowers, of vermilion colour...It is of the class Diadelphia, order Decandria (Linn.), natural order Leguminosae Cassia...The tree was first brought into notice by Lady Sarah Amherst, a great promoter of botanical science in India'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.