47 
* SPIRONEMA fragrans, 
Sweet-scented Spiralthread. 
HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Nat. ord. CoMMELINACEX. 
SPIRONEMA. Flores paniculati, nudi, in axillis spatharum fasciculati. 
Calyx 3-phyllus, herbaceus, paleaceus, imbricatus. Petala 3, diaphana, pa- 
leacea, inclusa. Stamina 6, hypogyna, sequalia, filamentis spiralibus, antheris 
cordatis petaloideis, loculos suos in lobis baseos transversim gerentibus. 
Ovarium 3-loculare, oligospermum ; ovulis horizontalibus. Stylus simplex ; 
stigma simplex, papillosum. Herba Sanseviere habitu. 
Spironema fragrans. Supra p. 26. mise. 
Herba, Sanseviere habitu, glabra, acaulis. Folia oblongo-lanceolata, acu- 
tissima, late viridia, obsolete nervosa, margine minutissimê scabrida. Panicula 
ramosa, ad nodos spathis membranaceis triquinquedentatis integrisque aristatis 
subciliatis munita. Flores odoratissimi, axillares, subsessiles, glomerati, parvi, 
bracteis paleaceis involucrati. Sepala 3, paleacea, imbricata, striata, vires- 
centia, dorso pilis longis ciliata. Petala pauld minora, tenuissima, diaphana, 
paleeformia, obtusa. Stamina 6, equalia, hypogyna; filamentorum epider- 
mide tenuissimd laxd axin e vasis spiralibus constructam spiralem induentibus ; 
antherze connectivum cordatum, album, obtusum, sublobatum, basi loculos sim- 
plices transversos gerens. Ovarium ovatum, medio subconstrictum, parce glan- 
dulosum, triloculare: ovulis cuique loculo paucis (4) horizontalibus spharicis, 
Stylus filiformis ; stigma simplex, papillosum. 
This very curious thing is a native of Mexico, whence it 
was imported by Messrs. Lowe and Co. By the searcher after 
show plants it will be despised, for it is not more handsome 
than a rush; by the lover of fragrant plants it will be che- 
rished, for its smell is delicious ; and by him who delights in 
studying the secret workings of nature it will be preserved 
with the greatest care, because its thin and delicate tissue 
allows the hidden motion of its fluids and the subtile texture 
of its fructifying organs to be watched with ease and pleasure. 
* From ozeipa a spire and vijua a stamen, in allusion to the spiral threads 
that occupy the interior of the filaments. 
August, 1840. e 
