236 xxvi. sterculiaceje (masters). [Melochia. 



Flowers smaller, in cymose clusters or spikes, axillary or terminal. — Poly- 

 chlcenu, Don, Gen. Syst. i. 488. 



An extensive genus in the tropical districts of both hemispheres. 



In addition to the two species mentioned below, it is likely that M. pyramidata occurs in 

 Africa, as it has been found iu Madagascar and other islands oft' the east coast. It may be 

 known by its winged capsule. 



Flowers in terminal clusters 1. .If. corchorifolia. 



Flowers in axillary clusters 2. M. melissifolia. 



1. M. corchorifolia, Linn. Sp. 944. An erect brandling herb or 

 nndershrub, thinly beset with stelliform hairs. Leafstalks abont 1 in. long. 

 Stipules subulate-lanceolate, shorter than the petioles. Leaves 1-3 in. long, 

 wedge-shaped at the base, oblong-lanceolate, acutely serrate, palmately 5- 

 costate, subglabrous above, thinly beset with villous hairs below. Flowers 

 numerous, in dense, terminal or axillary, stalked cymes ; pedicels very 

 short ; bracts numerous, subulate-lanceolate, setose at the edges. Calyx bell- 

 shaped, 5-cleft ; segments lanceolate, acuminate, ^ in. long. Petals obovate, 

 stalked, white, longer than the sepals. Stamens coherent with the petals be- 

 low ; filaments free, flat, shorter than the petals to which they are opposite. 

 Ovary oblong. Styles 5, distinct ; stigmas strap-shaped, villose. Capsule 

 subglobose, loculicidally 5-valved, longer than the persistent calyx. Seeds 1 

 in each cell, pendulous from the inner angle. — Riedleia corchorifolia, DC. 

 Prod. i. 491. Polychlfena ramosa, Don, Gen. Syst. i. 488. P. simplex, 

 Don, 1. c. Hibiscus Donii, Walp. Rep. i. 304. 1/. Endlicheri, Walp. 1. c. 



Upper Guinea. Senegambia, Bidjem ! Niger, Barter ! St. Thomas, Bon I 



Nile Land, Petherick I 



Mozamb. Distr. Zambesi, Br. Kirk! Quillimane, Peters. 



A widely diffused tropical weed, occurring in India, Australia, Mauritius, etc. 



2. M. melissifolia, Benth. in Hook. Journ. Bot. iv. 127. Suffruticose, 

 villose. Leaves on rather long stalks, ovate, subcordate, crenate-serrate, 

 8-5-costate, hairy on both surfaces. Flowers small, in sessile axillary 

 clusters. Bracts linear, hispid, longer than the flowers ; peduncles very 

 short, 2-bracteolate. Calyx-teeth shallow. Petals obovate, exceeding the 

 calyx. Staminal tube deeply cleft. Capsule depressed, globular, 5-valved. 

 Seed grey, with blackish lines. 



Upper Guinea. Senegambia, Heudelot ! Niger, Barter f 



Th<5 specimens on which this species was founded were collected iu British Guiana, but 

 they do not materially differ from the African forms. 



12. SCAPHOPETALTJM, Mast.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. 

 PI. i. 983. 



Calyx of 5 valvate sepals, more or less coherent, sometimes forming a 2- 

 valved calyx. Petals 5, hooded, nervose-striate, without appendages or 

 laminae. Filaments combined into an angular, funnel-shaped, membranous 

 tube, bearing at the upper margin 5 roundish reflexed staminodes, alternate 

 with the petals; anthers in groups of 3 between the staminodes, more or less 

 concealed within the concavity of the petals, 2-lobed ; lobes divergent. Ovary 



