47 



ERYTHROCHITON Brasiliensis. 



Brasilian Red-coat. 



PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 

 Nat. ord. RuTACEiE. 



ERYTHROCHITON. Nees et Martins. Calyx magnus, coloratus, 

 tubulosus, tubo compresso, quinquecostato, limbi bilabiati lobis sequalibus, 

 iutegris vel superiore trifido. Corolla hypogyna, gamopetala, subhypocrate- 

 rimorpha, tubo calycem sequante, limbi quinquepartiti laciniis sequalibus, pa- 

 tentibus. Stamina 5, omnia fertilia, tubo corollse breviora et eidem adgluti- 

 riata, limbi lobis alterna ; ^/amen^a complaaata, subulato-triaugulariaj basi Im 

 tubum brevissimum coalita; antherce introrsse, biloculares, lanceolatee, erectae, 

 muticse, longitudinaliter dehiscentes. Ovaria 5, disco urceolato glanduloso 

 cincta et superata, unilocularia. Ovula gemina, saturee ventrali superposite 

 inserta, superius adscendens, inferius pendulum. Capsula pentacocca, coccis 

 bivalvibus, endocarpio cartilagineo, soluto, elastice bilobo, basi membranacea 

 cum seminibus secedente, dispermo vel abortu monospermo. Semina reni- 

 formia, siuu umbilicata, testa coriacea tuberculato-muricata. Embryo .... 

 Arbuscula brasiliensis ; foliis alternis, simplicibus, petiolatis, lanceolatis, lon- 

 gissimis, integerrimis, glabris, ramulis axillaribus subaphyllis, jioriferis pedun- 

 oilos longissimos mentientibus ; fioribus in axilla folii bracteceformis duobus v. 

 pluribus fasciculatis, breviter pedunculatis, pedunculo basi articulato, bibrac- 

 teolato, calycibus rubris, coroUis albis. Endlicli. Gen. no. 5992. 



Erytbrocbiton brasiliense. Nees ^ Martins in Nov. act. Acad. Cces. Nat. 

 cnr. vol. U.pp. 150 ^ IGG, tt. 18 c. et 22. 



This fine Brazilian plant is stated by Messrs. Nees and 

 Martins to form a small tree, at the most 10 feet high, with 

 the habit of a Theophrasta, the stem being altogether un- 

 branched, and the long leathery leaves collected at its end. 

 From amongst them rises a long three-cornered flower-stalk, at 

 the end of which are a few large white flowers, conspicuous 

 for their fine red calyxes, from which circumstance the name 

 has been contrived ; viz. epvOpos red, and ^jltcov a coat. 



It is said to inhabit close shady places in the virgin woods 

 of Brazil, preferring a granitic soil ; especially near the Pre- 

 sidio of St. John the Baptist, in the province of Mines. For 



