from the warm temperate region of the United States (Illinois 
and Virginia) to Bahia in Brazil. 
Descr. Quite glabrous, tufted, stemless. Leaves erect, 
long-petioled, one to two inches long, from orbicular-ovate to 
almost lanceolate, obtuse, pale bright green on both surfaces, 
striated with numerous veins; petiole six to ten inches long, 
stout, cylindric, transparent, transversely jointed, fistular. 
Peduncle one-half to one inch long, 1-flowered, apparently 
springing from the side of a petiole towards its base, but in 
reality from a short branch that gives off a leaf and a peduncle, 
which latter is embraced at the base by the sheath of the petiole 
of the leaf. Spathe green, embracing the tube of the flower, 
subulate-acuminate. Perianth-tube slender, one to one and a 
half inch long; limb as much in diameter, bright vio.et blue; 
segments linear-oblong, obtuse. Filaments nearly equal, 
subulate, about equalling the linear-oblong anthers. Ovary 
narrow ; stigma clavate, obliquely truncate, crenate at the © 
top.—J. D. H. 
Fig. 1.—Perianth-tube and stamens; 2, upper part of perianth-tube laid 
open, with stamens and stigma; 3, ovary; 4, transverse section of ditto :—all 
magnified. 
