Tas. 5887. 
CYRTAN THERA cHRYSOSTEPHANA. 
Native of Mezico. 
Nat. Ord. AcANTHACEZ.—Tribe APHELANDREZ. 
Genus Cyrrrantuera, WV. ab E.—(DO. Prod., vol. xi. p 328). 
CYRTANTHERA chrysostephana ; caule obtuse tetragono, foliis petiolatis ovatis 
v. ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis basi acutis, supra puberulis subtus 
glaberrimis, costa superne nervisque subtus rubris, inflorescentia e 
cymis paucis terminalibus breviter pedunculatis multifloris in corym- 
bum brevem coroniformem subverticillatis, floribus 2-pollicaribus 
breviter pedicellatis aureis, bracteis calyce brevioribus lanceolatis 
acuminatis, bracteolis linearibus ciliatis, calycis infra medium 5-fidi 
laciniis subulatis laxe ciliatis, corolla glaberrima leviter incurva tubo 
angusto angulato, labio superiore oblongo lanceolato concavo subacuto, 
inferiore deflexo obtuse 3-lobo, stigmate minuto. 
A new and very distinct species of the ae American 
genus Cyrtanthera, less showy indeed than catalpafolia, 
Nees (Tab. Nost. 4444), or C. aurantiaca, Nees (Tab. Nost. 
4468), but of a more elegant habit than either of these, and 
conspicuous for the vivid red colour of the midrib and nerves 
of the leaf beneath. The flowers, instead of being disposed 
in a dense thyrsus, or in axillary cymes, as in most species 
of the genus, are collected into a crown-like corymb at the 
tips of the branches, and are of a bright golden yellow. 
C. chrysostephana is a native of Mexico, from whence it was 
imported by Mr. Bull of Chelsea, and it flowered in his stoves 
in December of last year. 
This species is allied to the Mexican C. aurea, Nees, but 
differs in the leaves not being decurrent on the petiole, in the 
inflorescence, and in the short bracts. 
Descr. Stem herbaceous, green, obtusely 4-gonous, glabrous 
or minutely puberulous on the upper part. Leaves five to 
six inches long, on petioles half an inch to one inch long, 
FEBRUARY Ist, 1871. 
