Tas. 8318. 
FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS. 
Northern Mexico and South-Western United States. 
FouQquIERACEAE. 
Fouqureria, 1. B. K.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. i. p. 161; Engl. & 
Prantl, Natirl, Pjlanzenfam. vol. iii. p. 298; Nachtr. i. p. 251, ii. p. 228. 
Fouquieria splendens, Engelm. in Wisl, Mem. Tour Mex. p. 98; Nash in Bull. 
Lorr, Bot. Club, vol. xxx. p. 456 ; a speciebus caeteris filamentis supra basin 
squama munitis distincta. 
Frutez spontaneus 2-6 m. altus, glaber, a basi parce ramosus, ramis ad 
2-5 cm. crassis fere rectis spinosis sulcatis cortice laevi fusco vel aetate 
cinerascente obtectis. /olia ramorum longorum obovato- vel oblanceolato- 
oblonga, obtusa vel subacuta, basi in petiolum perbrevem attenuata, 
2-3 em. longa, 0-5-1 cm. lata, ramorum abbreviatorum fasciculata, minora; 
tiolus costaeque pars maxima demum induratus, persistens, spinam 
I 3°5 em. longam patulam sistens. Jnflorescentiae terminales—raro una 
alterave axillaris, paniculatae, angustae, 10-15 cm. longae, sacpe multi- 
florae, ramis brevibus plerumque ad fasciculos florum reductis, interdum 
fere omnibus unifloris; bracteae scariosae, caducae; pedicelli ad 5 mm. 
longi, saepe breves. Sepala late ovata vel suborbicularia, obtusissima, 
mm. longa, pallida, margine hyalino. Cvrolla rubra; tubus rectus, 
superne sensim paulo ampliatus, 10-16 mm. longus; lobi late ovati vel 
suborbiculares, obtusi, recurvi vel revoluti, 4-5 mm. longi. Stamina 15, 
filamentis exsertis inaequilongis supra basin paulo dilatatis et intus 
syuamula biloba extra pilosa instructis; antherae 4 mm. longae, con- 
nectivo apiculato. Styli magis minusve alte coaliti. Capsula 10-18 mm. 
longa, valvis crustaceis. Semina 7-8 mm. longa, alba, ala mox in pilos 
soluta basi ad 2 mm. lata circumdata.—O. Srapr. 
The genus Fouguieria, established in 1823 by Bonpland 
and Kunth, was five years later treated by the elder 
De Candolle as the type of a distinct natural family. In 
taking this step, De Candolle in reality only endorsed a view 
already suggested by the authors of the genus. Since then 
the affinities and the systematic status of Mouguieria have 
been carefully studied by several able taxonomists, whose 
conclusions have not always been in accord. One _ point 
which emerges from the discussion as indisputable is that the 
genus occupies a singularly isolated position. Having 
regard to this fact, and to the consideration that its relation- 
ships are by no means clear, it is more satisfactory to treat 
Fouquieria as the representative of an independent family. 
Jong, 1910 
