144 



FLORA OF JAMAICA 



Goinj)lirena 



An erect annual. Leaves oblong-elliptical, -2-8 cm. 1., petioles short, 

 semiamplexicaul. Flower-heads globose, 2-3 cm. 1., terminal, usually 

 solitary, with two leaves at the base. Flowers purplish, sometimes rose or 

 silvery- white, 7 mm. 1., enclosed by the bracteoles. 



11. IRESINE L. 



Erect herbs. Leaves opposite, entire or serrulate. Flowers 

 minute, polygamous or dioecious, in clusters along the branches 

 of a panicle (in Jamaican species). Perianth with 5 segments, 

 in the female flower encircled by, and at length enveloped in 



Fig. 48. Iresine elatior L. C. Rich. 



A, Portion of inflorescence and leaf. C, Flower opened out, and with one 



B, Flower with bract and bracteoles. perianth-segment removed. 



D, Fruit cut lengthwise ; c, cotyledons ; r, radicle ; e, endosperm. 



wool. Stamens 5 ; filaments united by a short cup at the base, 

 with or without alternating staminodes ; anthers 1 -celled. Ovary 

 with 2 stigmas, rarely 3 ; with one ovule at the end of a long 

 stalk. Utricle compressed-roundish. Seed with annular embryo. 

 Species about 20, natives of tropical and subtropical America 

 (incl. West Indies) and Africa. 



Spikes sessile, golden-yellow or white 1. I. paniculafa. 



Spikes shortly stalked, umber-buff 2. I. elatior. 



