up erect stems, three to four feet in height, each of which 
produces in July and August a very large and striking ~ 
terminal corymb of flowers. After the fading of its 
flowers the plant becomes somewhat unkempt and during 
the winter the stems die back to ground level; after a 
few years it is rather apt to die out entirely. It is, 
however, readily propagated by seeds. The plant thrives 
best in a loamy soil. 
Derscription.—flerb, half-woody, 3-4 ft. high. Stem 
erect, 4-angled, 1 in. thick, angles faintly winged; twigs 
strict, ascending, the upper bearing at the tips either 
solitary flowers or 3-flowered cymes. Leaves sessile, 
spreading, partially stem-clasping, ovate-oblong, acute, 
14-2} in. long, 2-1 in. wide, slightly recurved near the 
tip, somewhat coriaceous, glabrous, the nerves sunk 
above and raised beneath. Peduncles 2-1} in. long, 
2-bracteate above, rarely only 1-bracteate. Sepals ovate- 
oblong, over 4 in. long, about } in. wide, sharply apiculate, — 
crispate. Petals slightly deflexed, obliquely obovate, 
13-2 in. long, 1-1} in. across. Stamens very many, 
indistinctly arranged in five groups, 2-1 in. long; anthers 
shortly oblong, curved, versatile, with a glandular tip. 
Ovary ovoid, 3} in. long, 5-grooved, in the lower part 
5-chambered, in the upper portion only 1-chambered but 
with the many-ovuled 2-fid placentas deeply intruded ; 
styles 5, free, 4 in. long; stigmata capitate. Capsule 
ovoid-conic, about 3 in. long. Seeds terete; raphe 
slightly winged. 
Fig. 1, flower-bud; 2,8 and 4, anthers; 5, pistil; 6, transverse section of 
the ovary :—all enlarged. 
