J 
Tas. 7957. 
TUPISTRA C.rarkel. 
Native of Sikkim. 
Nat. Ord. Littacea.—Tribe AsprpistREs. 
Genus Tupistra, Ker-Gawl. ; (Benth, et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 772.) 
TuPISTRA blarkei ; herba robusta, rhizomate repente crasso, vaginis basalibus 
ovatis vel oblongis acuminatis membranaceis, foliis approximatis oblan- 
ceolatis acuminatis integerrimis glabris nitentibus 4 ped. longis usque ad 
. 44 poll. latis, nervis obliquis translucentibus, petiolis rigidis erectis, 
pedunculis teretibus 8 poll. longis, spicis nutantibus vel fere pendulis 
densifloris usque ad 3-4 poll. longis, bracteis quam floribus multo 
brevioribus, floribus cirea 1} poll. diam. intus sordide rubro-purpureis 
extus primum (perianthii loborum marginibus purpureis exceptis) viridi- 
bus demum subfuscis, perianthii tubo breviter campanulato vel fere 
cupulari intus sparse piloso, lobis 6 patentibus late triangularibus obtusis, 
filamentis brevissimis crassis supra medium perianthii tubi affixis, 
antheris oblongis introrsis, ovario parvo trilobo, stylo cylindrico exserto, 
stigmate peltato quam ovario multo latiore trilobo. 
T. Clarkei, Hook. f. Flor. Brit. Ind. vol. vi. p. 325. 
“ 
The genus Tupistra was founded by Ker-Gawler in the 
Botanical Magazine, tab. 1655, upon a plant introduced 
by Loddiges from Amboyna, to which the name 7’. squalida 
was given. .Though closely resembling Aspidistra in 
vegetative characters, this genus is distinguished by having 
its 6-merous flowers arranged in usually dense cylindrical 
spikes. 
T. Clarkei was discovered by Sir J. D. Hooker in 
Sikkim at from 2,000 to 5,000 ft. altitude. A water- 
colour drawing of it by Cathcart is in the collection at 
Kew. It flowered at Kew in October, 1877, and again in 
the Aroid House in November, 1903. ‘The latter plant, 
from which our illustration was taken, was received from 
the Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, in the preceding 
year. It thrives at Kew in a stove, and, on account 
of its tall, shining green leaves, gracefully recurved 
towards the apex, is of considerable value for decorative 
effects. 
T. grandis, Rid). (tab. 7829) differs from this species 
in having erect spikes, while its peltate stigma has 
numerous radiating ribs on its upper surface, each rib 
JUNE Ist, 1904. ’ 
