Class VI.— HEX AN DEI A <. 

 Order I.— MONOGYNIA. 



f Flowers caliculate. 

 502. TILLANDSIA. X. (Long-moss.) 



Calix tiifid, subconvolute, persistent Cord- 

 ki trifid, campanulate, (or tubulous). Capsule 

 1 to 3 -celled. Seed comosCr 



Leaves mostly radical, scapes simply spiked or panicu- 

 late. Mostly parasitic plants presenting the habit of Agave, 

 of Aloe, or of JBromelia, (A small section of the genus> 

 including T. Usneoides of the United States, presents a 

 fvliform and diffusely dichotomous stem with alternate 

 and filiform leprose leaves, accompanied by peduncles 

 which are 1 or 2-flo\vered, and a capsule of 1 cell. Scarcely 

 congeners with those splendid species of the tropics, 

 which depending for parasitic nourishment on the boughs 

 and trunks of trees, have their leaves convolutely im- 

 bricated so as to retain as in a vase supplies of water 

 which endure for several days together; these produce 

 scapes of flowers of the most diversified and vivid coloursy 

 communicating an incidental splendour to the sombre 

 forests in which they are indigenous. > 



§ 2. SxREPsiA.f Calix double, exterior (bractes?) 2- 

 leaved, interior 3-cleft. Capsule 1 -celled, 3-valved, about 

 9-seeded — Stems filiform and dichotomous; flowers soli- 

 tary, or by pairs. 



Species. 1. T.recurvnta. -}-. 2. Usneoides. Obs. Root 

 evanescent. Stem filiform, elastic, diflTusely dichotomous, 

 jiendulous (from the branches of trees) intoried, hoary 

 and furfuraceously squamose. Leaves filiform, subsemi- 

 cylindric, curved, covered with a pubescence similar to 

 that of the stem. Flowers inconspicuous. Capsule linear, 

 3 sided. Seeds comose, pendulous — The presence of this 

 plant generally indicates an atmosphere of extraordinary 

 and unhealthy moisture- Mr. Pursh states its northern 

 limits to be the borders of the Dismal Swamp in Virginia. 

 Crossing North Carolina and proceeding towards Charles- 

 ton, 1 have observed its westeni limits, in this direction, 



fFrom «-^eV*'j I tHruj or (Tvist, in allusion to its coniovU^. 

 appearance- 



