Commelynacece^l ceylok plants, 321 



CXLVIII. MUSACE^. 



1. MUSA, Schreb. 



1. M, sapientum, Linn. (WiUd. Sp. PL iv. p, 894; Koxb. Fl. Ind. 

 , i. p. 663, cum syn.) — c.p. 3731. 



Hab. Eocky woods in the Central Province, common. Norn. vulg. 

 '' Wal-kaihel-gass." 



There cannot be a doubt tliat this is tbe species from which have originated tlie 

 numerous varieties of sweet Plantains cultivated here. 



CXLIX. PONTEDERACE^. 



1. MOIfOCHOIlIA, Prcsl. 



(Norn. vnlg. " Deya-habarella.") 



1. M. hastcefolia, Pros], (Xunth, Enum. iv. p. 133, cum syn.) — Fon- 

 tederia kastata, Linn. ; Eoxb. FL Ind. ii. p. 121. — c.p. 3213. 



Hab. Common in swampy places in the hotter parts of the island. 



This and the following species are used medicinally by the Clnghalese. 



2. M. Taginalisi Presl, (Kunth, I.e. p. 134, cum syn.) — Pontederia 

 vaghialis, Burm. ; Roxb. Cor. PL ii. p. 110; FL Ind. 1. c— c.p. 2315. 



Hab. Equally common with the preceding, and in similar places. 



3. M. plantaginea, Kunth, 1. c. p. 135. — Pontederia plantaginea, 



Eoxb, FL Ind. ii. p. 123.— c.p. 3686. 



Hab, Hotter parts of the island ; less common than the two pre- 

 ceding species. " 



CL. COMMELYNACE.^. 



1. COMMELYNA, Dili. 



Sect. 1. — Sj}atJia complicata. 



1. C. salicifolia, Eoxb. FL Ind. i. p. 172; Kth. Enum. iv. 39, cum 

 syn.— An C. cornmunis, Linn, forma P— C.p. 2979. 8358. 



Var. j3 ; angustafa ; foliis longis, linearibus ; spathis longe peduncu- 

 latis, subfalcatis, valdo acuniiuatis. — c.p. 3215. 



Hab. Very abundant. Var. /3. Doombera District. Nom. vulg. 



" G-irrapata." 



Var. 3^ though dlfiering a good deal in general appearance from the present plant 

 as it ordinarily occurs, is notwithstanding, I suspect, merely an extreme form of it. 



I do not remember having met with the typical C, commmns.L., which has the 

 smaller petal very narrow, whilst in the present plant I find the smaller petal varying 

 from wide-cordate to oval. 



Sect. 2. — Spaiha ttirbinafo-cucullata. 



2005.)— c.p. 2314. 



Wi 



9 •J 



