XII.
CROSSANDRA UNDULÆFOLIA.
Waved-leaved Crossandra.
ORDO NATURALIS. Acanthi. Juss. Gen. p. 102.
Sect 1. Stamina quatuor, didynama.
Calyx 5-phyllus: foliolis convuluto-imbricatis, interioribus sensim minoribus. Corollæ Tubus gracilis basi ampliatâ, ad insertionem staminum tumidulus, fauce pervius: Limbus unilabiatus, 3-fidus laciniis emarginatis, quarum laterales in cunabulis circa mediam plicatam convolutæ. Antheræ subsessiles, marginibus valvarum fimbriatis. Stigma 2-fidum. Pericarpium loculis 2-spermis. Frutex erectus, facie Justiciarum. Folia opposita, integra. Flores dense spicati, terminales. Bracteæ 3 sub singulis floribus, mediâ maximâ. Nomen a κροσσος fimbria, et ανηρ vir.
C. foliorum laminis ovato-lanceolatis, undulatis.
Ruellia Infundibuliformis. Roxb. MSS.
This shrub comes much nearer the frutescent Acanthi of Linnè than any Ruellia in the structure of the flower; but it differs so materially even from them, as to constitute a new genus. I find from Dr. Roxburgh's Manuscripts, that it is common in the Pagoda Garden of Bengal, where it grows to a pretty large size, flowering all the year round. The stem is round, jointed, and finely pubescent with opposite branches. Petioles jointed at the base. Flowers in terminal spikes. Bractes ending in a sharp bristle, though the leaves are obtuse. Corolla of a dull orange colour: Tube very slender, dilated at the base, where it is smooth; from thence pubescent especially on the inside below the anthers, and somewhat angular: middle segment of the Limb narrowest. Anthers curiously fringed. Pericarpium swelled at the base into a round nectary. Communicated by the Right Hon. Charles Greville.
REFERENCES TO THE PLATE
- The Bractes.
- Part of the Tube of the Corolla expanded, shewing the insertion of the Anthers.
- An Anther magnified.
- The Germen and Stigma.
