or less spreading, oblong-lanceolate, scarcely acuminate, two- 
nerved, the base unequally sided ; some of them, especially the 
superior ones, slightly falcate. Stipules small, green, from a 
broad base subulate. Petioles about an inch long. Peduncles 
as long as the petioles, bearing a capitulum of small flowers, of 
which the calyx and corolla are almost concealed by the quantity 
of rich coloured filaments of the stamens, which radiate from a 
centre and form a ball of scarlet threads. Calyx minute, five- 
lobed. Corolla small, infundibuliform. Stamens united into 
four bundles. Anthers minute, abortive. Ovary oblong. Style 
a little longer than the stamens. . 
Fig. 1. Flower. 2. Portion of a bundle of stamens. 3. Pistil :-—magnified. 
