( 2892 ) 
BILLBERGIA CRUENTA. BLoop-sTAINED 
BILLBERGIA. 
Class and Order. 
Hexanpria Monoeynis. 
( Nat. Ord.—Brometicez. ) 
Generic Character. 
Calyx superus. Petala convoluta, basi squamosa. Stam. 
basi perianthii inserta. Stylus filiformis. Stigmata linea- 
ra, convoluta. Capsula baccata? Semina nuda. Lindl. 
Specific Character and Synonym. 
Birtgereia * cruenta ; foliis ligulatis obtusis mucronatis 
dentato spinosis apice (sepissime) sanguineo-maculatis, 
bracteis lato-ovalibus imbricatis obtusissimis concavis, 
Spica capitata subsessili. 
Bromenis cruenta, Graham in Edin. Phil. Journ. 
eee 
_ Descr. Plant probably parasitic. Stem short, ascend- 
ing, cylindrical. Stolons axillary, sheathed with large, im- 
bricated, ovate, adpressed, entire scales. Leaves (one and 
a half to two feet long, three inches broad,) numerous, im- 
bricated, erect at their base, spreading above, linear, ob- 
tuse, mucronate, serrato-spinous, very hard and rigid, bright 
Steen and concave above, pruinose in transverse stripes and 
rounded below, sprinkled irregularly with blood-red stains, 
and marked with the same colour on the anterior surface 
for above half an inch at the apex, greatly dilated at their 
base, and forming a cup, from which water thrown upon 
the plant does not escape. Spike terminal, capitate, bea 
| . tea 
* Sp named by Taunzere, in honour of Gustavus Joun BiLLBERG, an 
excellent Swedish Botanist. 
