Leaves very variable in size and shape, two to four inches 
long, elliptic and equally narrowed to both ends, or obovate- 
lanceolate, or oblanceolate, acute or acuminate, quite entire, 
always gradually narrowed below into a very short petiole, 
which is jointed on to a prominence of the branches ; mem- 
branous, flat; nerves obscure. Racemes one to three inches 
long, axillary and terminal, erect, simple, and the terminal 
one rarely branched at the base; bracts minute, ovate, very 
deciduous ; pedicels very short. Flowers about one-fourth of 
an inch in diameter, bright blue. Sepa/s, three outer short, 
pubescent, ovate, obtuse; two inner very large, obliquely 
semicircular, very concave, with a sub-acute point and straight 
lower edge. Petals, three outer forming a 3-lobed hood over 
the stamens, lobes obtuse; two inner adnate to the staminal 
column, and terminating upwards in a spoon-shaped appen- 
dage. Ovary oblong, 1-celled, with a prominent gland at its 
base; style very thick, bent at right angles, and terminating 
in a dilated truncate stigma. Fruit, a drupe one-fourth of an 
inch long, ellipsoid and acute at both ends.—/. D. H. 
Fig. 1, Flower with one inner sepal removed; 2, the same viewed from the 
other sides; 3, flower with botk inner sepals removed; 4, staminal column and 
inner petals; 5, stamen; 6, pedicel and ovary; 7, transverse section of ovary: 
—all enlarged. 
