Tas. 6861. 
RHYN CHANTHUS .onaretorvs. 
Native of Burma. 
Nat. Ord. Scrraminra2.—Tribe ZINGIBERER. 
Genus novum, RuyncHantuus ; Hook. f. 
Gen. Coan. Calyx anguste tubulosus, ore fisso, truncatus, retusus. Corolle 
tubus elongatus, superne dilatatus; lobi breves, ovato-lanceolati, longe acumi- 
nati, erecti, postico paullo majore. Staminodia lateralia 0; labellum obsoletum. 
Filamentum valde elongatum, longe exsertum, curvum, anguste cymbiforme, 
teres, in rostrum elongatum antheriferum productum; anthera breviter line- 
aris, 2-locularis, connectivo non producto, Ovarium 3-loculare, 0 -ovulatum, 
stylodiis 2 oblongis coronatum ; stylus filiformis, ultra antheras productus, 
stigmate infundibulari truncato.—Herba gracilis, rhizomate tuberoso radices 
crassas tomentosas emittente. Caulis erectus, foliosus. Folia disticha, 
oblongo-lanceolata, acuminata. Flores in spica terminali pauci, sessiles, 
4-pollicares, anguste tubulosi ; bractee 2, elongate, membranacee, colorate. 
Corolla pallide virescens ; filamento stramineo. 
This very curious plant differs generically from any 
hitherto described. In some respects it approaches Burbidgea 
(Plate 6403), next which it will stand in the Order, and 
which it resembles a little in the long flower-buds; but 
here all resemblance ends, Burbidgea having thick coria- 
ceous glossy leaves (most unusual in the Order), shortly 
pedicelled flowers with caducous bracts, large broad 
spreading corolla-lobes, a distinct lip, the blade of which 
embraces the anthers, a stamen with a very short filament, 
an anther terminated with a very long appendage, and a 
minute oblique almost spathulate stigma. Rhynchanthus, 
on the other hand, has the ordinary membranous leaves of 
Zingiberee, sessile flowers with very large loose membranous 
probably persistent bracts, remarkably small erect corolla- 
lobes, a lip reduced to a mere point, and a most curious 
petaloid filament, like a very long canoe, exserted far 
beyond the corolla-lobes, terminated by an anther with no 
appendage, and the stigma is erect and funnel-shaped. 
Rhynchanthus was procured from Burma by Messrs. 
Low, of the Clapton Nurseries, and was presented early in 
last year to Kew, where it flowered in a stove in July. 
tae _ FEB. Ist, 1886. 
