Tas. 4760. 
DICHORISANDRA picta. 
Blotch-leaved Dichorisandra. 
Nat. Ord. CoMMELINE%.—HEXANDRIA Monoeynia. 
Gen. Char, (Vide supra, Tas, 4733.) 
DICHORISANDRA picta ; foliis lato-ellipticis mucronato-acuminatis subternatim = 
approximatis fusco-maculatis, panicula terminali plurifiora, floribus hexan- 
dris dioicis (an semper ?), petalis ovalibus obtusis. 
DIcHORISANDRA picta. Hortulan. 
This mottled-leaved Dichorisandra has been for some years cul- 
tivated in the Royal Gardens of Kew, having been received from 
Mr. Low, of the Clapton Nursery, under the name we have here 
adopted, but which we can nowhere find published in books to 
which we have access, and the species does not appear to be 
described under any other name. It is very pretty in the spotted 
and glossy foliage, and the bright purple and white, somewhat 
fragrant, flowers. These latter are abortive, there being no per- 
fect pistil, and the stamens have scarcely the appearance of per- 
fect ones. The plant requires the heat of the stove, and is pre- 
sumed to be a native of Brazil. : oe 
Descr. Our only plant of this is little more-than a foot high, 
slightly branched; the dranches jointed, short, clothed with brown | 
sheaths. About three eaves are near the termination of a branch, — 
approximate: they are four to five inches long, patent or even | 
reflexed, broadly elliptical, their base forming a long sheath 
(ciliated at the mouth) upon the branch, the apex is suddenly 
and almost mucronately acuminate, the surface glabrous, full 
green above, often blotched with brown (which gives rise to the 
specific name) and marked with remote parallel striz or veins. 
The panicle is terminal, thyrsoid, on a very short branch (in our 
plant), having a short peduncle, erect ; peduncle and main rachis 
downy. Bracteas rather small, acuminate. Flowers only male 
JANUARY Ist, 1854. 
