296 Seifriz: Plants on Mt. Gedeh, Java 



occurs occasionally. The high altitude trees Symplocos, Poly- 

 osma, Astronia, and Rapanea first make their appearance here. 



The most characteristic liane and epiphyte of the third sub- 

 zone is the climbing Freycinetia. This grotesque plant, of which 

 there are two species on Gedeh, is widely distributed. Some- 

 times only a single leafy shoot reaches far out into space. More 

 often a number of sprawling branches hang over the trail like 

 so many ferocious dragons blocking the way. Frequently the 

 growth is so dense as to form a solid mass 15-20 feet in dia- 

 meter high up on a tree trunk. 



But it is the herbaceous undergrowth which characterizes the 

 third subzone. Areas exist which are literally flower gardens.. 

 Several species of Impatiens are very abundant. The exquisite, 

 pansy-like blossoms of these plants are found in delicate shades 

 of pink and purple. The most common species is the pink- 

 flowered /. platypetala. Frequently the purple-spotted pink 

 flowers of /. cyclocoma are seen, and also the white, purple- 

 centered blossoms of /. hirsuta. Less abundant is /. choneceras 

 with a white flower, from which projects a short spur. 



The liliaceous Disporum chinense (D. pullum), first cousin to 

 the American Solomon's seal (Poly gono turn), with dangling 

 purple bells, is common in the undergrowth of this flowery zone. 

 One of the commonest blossoms is the slender white, tubular 

 flower of Ophiorrhiza longiflora (Rubiaceae). Begonias (e.g., 

 B. isoptera) are very numerous, likewise the urticaceous herb 

 Elatostemma. This latter plant is interesting because of the 

 force with which the male flowers open. When a male bud 

 (the species is monoecious) opens, the stamens fly back one at a 

 time with great suddenness and force, scattering the pollen in a 

 miniature cloud; indeed, the generic name tells the story, 

 "stamen hurler." 



Strobilanthes cernuus is a tall, succulent herb forming dense 

 thickets in the second as well as the third subzone. The native 

 name is "bobokuan" ("boku," articulation). It is a most 

 unattractive, rank weed, but its flowers are exquisite little things. 

 They are very small, shaped like tiny rose buds. The petals 

 are white, pencilled along their outer edge with brilliant green. 



The presence of one of the gingers, Hea lychium coronarium, 

 is first noted by its sweet perfume, scenting the air from far. 

 Curculigo curvata, of the Amaryllis family, forms nearly pure 



