Kew in 1914 from Messrs. Bees, Limited, under the unpub- 
lished name P. kermesinum which is now current in some 
collections. At Kew the plants reach a height of 
eighteen inches and flower early in August; though 
quite hardy they have failed so far to mature seeds. 
They form a distinct addition to the Rock Garden, . 
striking because of the numerous spikes of rich crimson 
flowers. P. Grifithii approaches most closely P. sphaero- 
stachyum, Meisn., figured at t. 6847 of this work, which 
differs in having usually solitary smaller spikes on longer 
peduncles in the axils of narrower cauline leaves. While 
P. sphaerostachyum has short and often recurved pedicels, 
P. Grifithii has long erect ones. For this reason the 
bracts which are closely imbricate around the central 
axis become visible in P. Griffithii, and by their buff 
colour provide an effective contrast with the rich red of the 
perianth. The leaves of P. Grifithii are in wild specimens 
firm and almost leathery, in cultivated plants usually 
much thinner in texture. 
Descriprion.— Herb, perennial; branches tufted, about 12 from each woody 
stock. Leaves: radical numerous, oblong or elliptic, acute, base rounded or 
acute, almost glaucous beneath, glabrous or at first sparingly hairy, margins 
slightly undulate, nerves slender but raised, 4-6 in. long, 14 in. wide; petiole 
up to 1} in. long; cauline few, much smaller than the radical leaves, oblong 
or ovate, 2} in. long, 1} in. wide; petiole up to 1} in. long; ochrea glabrous, 
a lj in. long. Spikes simple or branched, from the axils of the cauline 
eaves, dense-flowered; peduncles up to 2 in. long, very slender, jointed near 
ne base ; flowers erect. Perianth turbinate, deep rich crimson; segments 
rs ong, obtuse, usually 3-nerved, 3 in. long, y4; in. wide. Stamens 8, shorter 
Sais oe ee ae small, obtuse. Ovary narrow-oblong, 
¢ » yg i. long; styles 3, twice as long as the ov i le; 
stigmas minute, slightly exserted. Achene q is long, hard pgm Pro 
Tas. 8724,—Fig, 1, a flower: 2 i y : ; : 
XK, pislil ail a “sa wa. r; 2, perianth-tube, laid open; 3 and 4, stamens; 
