VERVAIN FAMILY 191 



Abena (Genus Abena) 



This odd plant, with coarse purplish stems, bears quill- 

 like spikes whose dark blue flowers stretch out from cavi- 

 ties in the thick flowering-stem. A small bract closes the 

 cavity in which the bud develops, and remains in front 

 of the ripening capsule. 



Abena jamaicensis. Flowers dark blue or purple, small, in 

 quill-like spikes 6-18 in. long. Stamens 2. Stems 1-4 ft. tall. 

 Leaves usually opposite, oblong or oval, toothed, 1-4 in. long. 

 Sandy soil. Blooming all the year. Southern Fla. 



Lantana (Genua Lantana) 



Lantanas, introduced from tropical America, are so 

 thoroughly naturalized in Florida that they have become 

 weeds in many places. The most common is L. Camara 

 and its varieties, which differ in habit of growth and in 

 color of flowers. They are strong-scented shrubby plants, 

 usually prickly, and have opposite, toothed, rough leaves, 

 two to five inches long, and compact variegated clusters of 

 yellow or orange flowers that change to saffron, purple, 

 or red. The black fruit is said to be edible. The vine-like 

 L. Sellowiana has long stems, which are not prickly, many 

 small clusters of purple or lilac flowers, and small leaves. 

 L. involucrata, a shrub with small, involucrate heads of 

 white or pale purple flowers and bluish fruit, grows in 

 southern Florida. 



Other exotic plants of this family that are seen in Florida 

 gardens are the clerodendrons, the lavender tree, or chaste 

 tree (Vitex), petraea, and the duranta, or golden dew- 

 drop. 



French Mulberry. Spanish Mulberry (Genus 



Callicarpa) 



This shrub, whose specific name is in contrast with its 

 common name, is most conspicuous in autumn and early 



