Lobelia siphilitica. 209 
axillares solitarii brevissime pediculati coerulei. Cali serrato-denticulatus; 
laciniis lanceolatis, sinubus reflexis, germen tegentibus (ut in Campanulis Me- 
dio, etc.) Corolla coerulea angulata, laciniis subsequalibus carina ciliatis, 
palato 2 gibbositatibus. Mant. 482. 
We have already figured and described two species of the genus 
to which this fine plant belongs; and, as in them, the root of this one 
is perennial, fibrous, acrid, and nauseous. The stem is erect, angled 
and simple, hirsute above, destitute of pubescence below, and from 
one to three feet high. It is sometimes though rarely branched. The 
leaves are crenulate, larger below than above; those near the root, 
and the lower portion of the stem, are lanceolate, elliptical, sessile, 
strongly veined, somewhat shining, and irregularly and finely denti- 
culate on the margin. Those above are lanceolate and also denticulate, — 
veined and smooth. As in the cardinal plant, the leaves gradually 
diminish in size, particularly in length, from the bottom upwards, 
giving the plant a pyramidal appearance when in full bloom. The 
flowers are supported on short bracteated pedicels, arranged on 
long, leafy, terminal, and sometimes axillary spikes. The flowers are 
Prussian blue, blended with white on the under side, the buds being 
tinged with yellow, and the inner side of the lacinie of the co- 
rolla of a darker blue. The calix consists of five hastate, hispid 
segments, ciliated on the margin, and reflexed at either side. The 
bracteal leaves, at the base of the pedicels, are likewise ciliated. The 
filaments are lead-blue, the anthers white, and projecting conspicu- 
ously inside of the upper segment of the corolla. The flowers are 
VOL. Il. 28 
