Amomum. monandria monogynia. 39 



2. A. angustifolium. Linn. spec. pi. ed. Wil/d. 1. p. 8. 



Leaves broad-lanceolate. Spikes elevated, linear-oblong, 

 compact; clavate bractes oblong-, rather pointed. Lip obo- 

 vate, cuneate, entire. Crest three-toothed. 



Amomum angustifolium. Scnnerat. it. 2.J'. 137. 



A native of Madagascar. From the island of Mauritius 

 Captain Tennant brought plants thereof to the Botanic gar- 

 den at Calcutta, in 1802, where they grow freely, and blos- 

 som at various times of the year. Every part of the plant, 

 when bruised, or wounded, diffuses a strong, but pleasant 

 aromatic smell. 



Root perennial, tuberous, horizontal ; strong fleshy fibres, 

 together with runners, issue from the crown, or bulb ; by 

 these runners the plant soon spreads, and by these it is easily 

 multiplied. Stems numerous, straight, round, smooth, rising 

 to the height of from six to ten feet. Leaves alternate, bifa- 

 rious, sub-sessile on their sheaths, broad-lanceolate, fine- 

 pointed, smooth on both sides; from twelve to eighteen inches 

 long, and from about four to six broad. Sheaths embrace 

 about three quarters of the stem, are smooth, and rise in an 

 obtuse process, (ligula,) above the insertion of the leaves. 

 Scapes from the bulb, or base of the stem, where it unites 

 with the root, rather slender, from six to twelve inches long, 

 and closely imbricated with inany,inucronate, smooth, sheath- 

 ing scales. Spikes linear-oblong, about the size of a man's 

 thumb, imbricated m ith similar, but larger scales than those 

 of the scape; the inner more deeply coloured. Flowers 

 few, pretty large, and possessed of a strong spicy fragrance. 

 Bractes ; proper two to each flower, linear-oblong, inserted 

 round the base of the germ, like an inferior perianth. Calyx 

 superior, deep blood red, smooth on both sides, slit two- 

 thirds onnhe outside, apex obscurely three-toothed. Corol ; 

 tube clavate, about as long as the bractes. Exterior border 

 red, consisting of one large, erect, oblong, concave segment, 

 which protects the anther and stigma; and of two inferior, 

 very narrow segments. Lip obovate-cuneate, entire, or slight- 

 er 



