The plant requires a stove temperature and grows well 
and flowers freely if given a light rich soil. Propaga- 
tion is readily effected by means of cuttings of the young 
shoots inserted during the summer months. 
Description.—Herb; stems erect, 1-1} ft. in height, 
closely and rather hispidly hairy. Leaves alternate, 
elliptic-lanceolate, abruptly and bluntly acuminate, base 
cuneate, margin irregularly toothed, the teeth obtuse, 
3-6 in. long, 13-3 in. wide, glabrous on both sides, dark 
green and shining above, paler and dull beneath; petiole 
4—* in, long, rather hispidly hairy ; stipules 1—1 in. long, 
filiform, slightly hispid. Peduncles axillary, solitary, 
1-17 in. long, rather hispidly hairy. Receptacles angularly 
orbicular, disk *—} in. across, narrowly winged and giving 
off a number of marginal processes varying in length from 
3 in. to over 4 in., the longer processes pinnatisect near 
their bases, all green and very sparingly hispidly hairy 
on the back. Male flowers with 2-4 stamens. Female 
flowers interspersed among the males; ovary ovoid, 
narrowed into a 2-fid sublateral style. 
Fig. 1, receptacle, seen in section; 2, a male flower; 3, rudimentary ovary | 
of the same accompanied by two stamens; 4, a single stamen showing the 
inflexed anther of a young flower; 5, ovary :—all enlarged. 
