RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1878.02.16. In Hot-House / Sleep of Oxalis - new species. CUL-DAR67.45. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2023. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.
The volume CUL-DAR67 contains notes on 'bloom'. Francis Darwin explained: "His researches into the meaning of the 'bloom,' or waxy coating found on many leaves, was one of those inquiries which remained unfinished at the time of his death. He amassed a quantity of notes on the subject". LL3: 339. See an Introduction to these folders by Christine Chua & John van Wyhe.
[45]
Feb. 16 9˚ P.m. 1878 — In Hot-House
Sleep of Oxalis. — new species.
O. ortgesii large, magnificent, leaves sleep like common species. The long petioles rise up greatly: leaves very large hang vertically down, & are inwardly folded during sleep. — Petiole of young leaf rose 20° & of older leaf 13°— Hence leaves on summit of plant all crowded together — Flower-peduncle does not rise. — Hot sunshine causes leaves to go partially to sleep. — Plants compared at 12˚ 45' & 10˚ P.m. —
No true bloom — leaves wetted on upper surface.
Light & Bloom
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 14 June, 2023