173 TRiANDEiA MONOGYNiA. Commelina, 



oval, the third filament sterile. Style short, ascending. — Capsules 

 three-celled, ^vith two scabrous seeds m each. 



7. C. cespitosa. R. 



Polygamous, creeping. Leaves lanceolate. Spathe cordate, pe- 

 disncled, few-flowered ; petals nearly equal. Capsules three- celled, 

 Vvith one or two seeds in each. 



A native of Cliitia-^onp;, from thence the plants were sent to the 

 Botanic Garden by Mr. W. Roxburgh. It is in blossom most part 

 of the year. 



Stems and brai/clies numerous, slender, smooth, jointed, creeping 

 close over a space of some feet and striking deep root at the joints. 

 .Leaves alternate ; sessile on their smooth cjlindric sheaths, ovate- 

 lanceolate, the upper ones narrower and longer ; all are entire, and 

 smooth on both sides. — Sheaths, besides the usual leaf-beaiing one, 

 there is a second or inner annular one wherever there is a peduncle. 

 • — Peduncks solitary, leaf-opposed, about an inch long, round, and 

 smooth. Spathe cordate, or rather seini-cordat# in their natural fold- 

 ed state, each embracing two common pedicels ; the superior one bear- 

 ino- two, three, or four, pedicelled male il owers ; and the lower about 

 £re many hermaphrodite ones ; all bl^ssom-ng in succession. — Cali/x 

 of three, equal, obovate, concave, pale blue, pellucid leaflets. — Petals 

 three ; the upper two reniform and pedicelled ; the lower one cordate, 

 and sub-sessile, all of a most beautiful light blue colour. Nectaries 

 three, erect, on the upper side opposite to the stamens. — Filaments 

 three,equal,ascending.^rtfAer5, the niiidle one larger, and sagittate.^ 

 Germ ovate, (in the male flowers wanting.) Style ascending, as long 

 as the stamens. Sligma incurved, simple. — Capsules oblong, three- 

 celled, with one or two seeds in each. 



8. C. scapijlora. R. 



Root perennial. JRaceines, radical, erect, with alternate, many- 

 flowered spathes. Petals equal. Leaves in a tuft, ensiform. 

 JBens. Kwrelli. 



