The Botanic Garden vol. 5 no. 468 (1834-5)

CAMPBELL'S HYBRID FOXGLOVE

No. 468.

In the similarity which the flowers of this genus bear to the finger of a glove, has originated the name Digitalis, and its application to these plants; the root of the word being the Latin digitale.

The origin of the Digitalis, which we now introduce, has been a subject of considerable interest to physiologists. Botanists have not agreed in opinion on the subject of hybrid plants—whether such productions will be permanently established amongst the vegetables of the earth, or whether they will be lost to future generations, unless propagated again, as at first, from their parent species. Difference of opinion also exists regarding the species and genera between which varieties can be raised. The plant now before us, has been propagated between the Digitalis ambigua, and Gloxinia speciosa, by Mr. Alexander Campbell, curator of the Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society's Garden.

We cannot give our readers any information so satisfactory as that with which Mr. Campbell himself, has furnished us. He says, "The close resemblance which the flowers of Digitalis bear to those of Gloxinia, suggested the idea that a cross between them was practicable. I selected a shoot of Digitalis ambigua for the experiment; half a dozen of its flowers were carefully fertilized with the pollen of Gloxinia speciosa; the shoot was denuded of the remainder of its flower buds, and no more attention was bestowed till the capsules were ripe. One half of those impregnated, produced perfect seeds, which were sown immediately, when ripe, and placed in a warm frame till they vegetated, after which they went through the usual process of potting, &c. Thus encouraged, they were fit to be transplanted into the open borders, the following spring; and I had the satisfaction to see one, which took the lead of the rest, in flower late the ensuing autumn; and the whole of them flowered, in great profusion, in the succeeding year." Mr. Campbell further states that it is a remarkably free flowerer, continuing from June till frosts set in; which he very reasonably suggests may arise from its sterility; all his attempts to fertilize it having proved ineffectual.

Most of our readers are aware that no plant can perfect its seeds, unless the pollen or powder produced by its own anthers, or the anthers of a plant nearly related to it, falls on its stigma. This we explained under Potentilla Russelliana, No. 304; and practically illustrated in Potentilla atrosanguinea-pedata, No. 385, an intermediate variety, which we raised between the two very distinct species, indicated in its compound appellation. How far nature will admit this system of hybridization, becomes a curious and most interesting enquiry. It is evident that the present division of genera, forms no bar to the production of mules between them.

Gardener's Magazine 7: 582 (October, 1831)
We suspect the possibility of originating hybrids is scarcely thus limited. Mr. Campbell, gardener to the Comte de Vandes, raised foxgloves from D. ambigua, whose ovula were fertilised by the pollen of Gloxinia speciosa; and they vary considerably from the mother, and assimilate remotely to the male parent.

Gardener's Magazine 8: 478 (August, 1832)
A Walk, on the 30th of June, round the Garden of the late Comtesse de Vandes. By J. D.
... two fine plants, copiously in blossom, of that hybrid Digitalis obtained from seeds of D. ambigua, which had been artificially impregnated with the pollen of Gloxinia speciosa, as already noticed in this Magazine (Vol. VII. p. 582., in the note). The flowers of the hybrid differ from those of D. ambigua in being slightly larger, more fleshy in texture, and in having the yellow ground almost obliterated, or coloured over with a reddish one, the colour being now, perhaps, a buff red one; the leaves are those of D. ambigua, much increased in size, and, I think, in pubescence and perhaps in succulency.

	X
Digitalis ambigua		Gloxinia speciosa