( 1971 ) 
MELASTOMA HIRTA. Larce Buue-Fruitep 
MELASTOMA. 
Joab eee 
Class and Order. 
Decanpria Monoeynta. 
Generic Character. 
Cal. 5-fidus, campanulatus. Petala 5, calyci inserta. 
Bacca 5-locularis, calyce obyoluta, 
Specifie Charaeter and Synonyms. , 
Metastoma hirta; foliis denticulatis quinquenerviis ovato- 
lanceolatis, cawle hispido. Sp. Pl. 559. Willd. 2. 
p. 588. Persoon Syn. 1. p. 474. Hort. Kew. ed. alt. 
3. p. 45. Swartz Obs. 175. Mart, Mill. Dict. n. A. 
ArzuscuLa jamaicensis quinquenervis minutissiue dentatis 
foliis et caule pubescentibus ; floseulis ex sinu foliorum 
gemellis. Pluk. Alm. 40. t.264.f.1. 
Our plant agrees in every ‘respect as far as could be z 
examined, with the description given by Swarrz in his 
Observations above quoted; except in the size of the flowers, 
which he calls largish (majusculi); it agrees also with the ~ 
hirta of the Banksian Herbarium. oes 
Though the flowers of this little shrub make no show, yet __ 
from the beauty of the foliage and the red pubescence of the 
hes ; it may be considered as a very ornamental plant. 
_ Native of the mountains of Jamaica. Requires to be kept 
in the stove. Flowers from September to December. Pro- 
pagated by cuttings. Communicated by Messrs. Barr and. | 
Brooxes, of the Northampton Nursery, Islington. 3 
