inches long, one inch broad, formed of numerous, closely-placed, 
equitant, sharply cymbiform, carinated dracts ; thus the spike is 
sharply two-edged ; the bracts are green, becoming coloured, 
tinged with bright-yellow, and bright-red towards the base ; from — 
these equitant dracts one flower only opens at a time, and this — 
is exserted much beyond the point of the bract, subcylindrical, of 
a deep rich purple colour. Filaments of the purple stamens also 
are exserted beyond the petals, but are shorter than the style. 
Fig. 1. Entire flowers. 2. Single petal and stamen. 3. Pistil :—magnified. 
