perianthii segmentis ovatis, obtusis liberisque; stamina 
duodecim usque ad viginti, receptaculum tegentia; an- 
therae paene subsessiles, in circuitu late oblongae. Florum 
femineorum perianthii segmenta octo, triangulari-ovata, 
acutiuscula liberaque; stigmata carnosa, cruciformia, in 
circuitu oblonga. Staminodia filiformia, plusminusve 4 
em. longa. 
An acaulescent, terrestrial or epiphytic plant up to 
nearly 1 meter in height. Petioles slender, dilated at the 
base, 28-40 em. long. Leaves 46-58 cm. long, bipartite 
for two thirds or more of their length, prominently 3- 
nerved, the mid-nerve a common mid-rib; segments 
of the leaves oblanceolate, acuminate, 7-13 cm. wide. 
Staminate inflorescences borne on a stout stem 12-18 
em. long with four large, lanceolate, acuminate, unequal, 
foliaceous spathes which are 4-10 em. long and 1-1.5 
cm. wide, the lowest one closely enclasping the spike. 
Pistillate inflorescences borne on a more slender, shorter 
stem about 5 cm. long with four large, foliaceous spathes. 
Staminate spadix 4-5 em. long; the pistillate 2.5-3 em. 
long. Pedicel of the staminate flower flattened, abruptly 
dilated into a flat receptacle which is about 38 mm. in 
diameter, truncate on the inner side, bearing eight peri- 
anth segments on the outer side; segments ovate, obtuse, 
free, about 1.5 mm. long, 0.5 mm. wide. Stamens twelve 
to twenty, completely covering the flat receptacle; an- 
thers broadly oblong in outline, each about 1 mm. long, 
0.5 mm. wide, almost subsessile, with a filament about 
0.2 mm. long. Perianth segments of the pistillate flower 
eight, triangularly ovate, acutish, free, about 1.2 mm. 
long, 0.5 mm. wide, exceeding the stigmas. Stigmas 
fleshy, cruciform, 0.8 mm. long, 0.6 mm. wide, green: 
staminodia filiform, 3.5—4.5 em. long. 
Mexico: Oaxaca, District of Choapam, on floor of dark rain-forest 
or on rotten logs, summit of the mountains between Santa Maria 
[ 167 ] 
