256 Scrophulariacece . \_Striga. 



overlapping at base of stem, scattered or often somewhat 

 whorled above, acute, passing into floral bracts, fl. numerous, 

 sessile, erect, whorled, in erect tapering spikes, bracts ovate, 

 rather shorter than cal., bractlets small, linear; cal. pubescent, 

 scgm. acuminate, very acute ; cor.-lobes spreading, lowest 

 narrower, 2-lobcd ; capsule ovoid-globose, tipped with long 

 style. 



Parasitic on the roots of Euphorbia antiquorum in the dry region ; 

 rare. Anuradhapura ; Mihintale; several places near Hambantota. Fl. 

 Aug.-Deccmber ; dull pink or white. 



Also in Arabia, Sind, Western India, Trop. and S. Africa. 



The mode of parasitism is much that of the Broomrapes {Orobanche) 

 of Europe, but with a larger more tuberous base of attachment to the 

 roots of the host. The whole plant is either pale green when the tl. are 

 wliite, or deep reddish-purple when they are dull pale purplish-pink. 

 Dries, black. 



2. S. lutea, Lour. FL Cochin ch. 22 (1790). 



Buchncra nsintica, L. Sp. PI. 630 (part). Moon Cat. 45. S. hirsuia, 

 I>cnth., Thw. Enum. 220. C. P. 2028, 2886. 

 Fl. B. Ind. iv. 299 (not given for Ceylon). 



Stem 3-9 in., erect, rigid, not branched (unless topped or 

 injured), hispid, with prickly hair; 1. small, under | in., sessile, 

 opp. below, alt. above, linear, very hispid, w^ith pustular 

 prickles; fl. very shortly pedicellate, in long lax spikes, bracts 

 -shorter than cal., bractlets very short, linear; cal. hispid, with 

 10 ribs, segm. linear, acute, rigid; cor. 2-lipped, upper lip much 

 shorter; capsule ovoid, blunt, shorter than cal. 



Open grassy places up to 6000 ft.; common. Fl. June, Nov.; bright 

 chrome-yellow. 



Also in Peninsular India, Siam, Java, China, Arabia, Trop. and S. 

 Africa, Madagascar. 



Linnaeus gives Ceylon for this, but does not quote any authority. 

 Probably parasitic on the roots of grasses. 



3. S. euphrasloldes, Benth. Comp. Bot. Mag. i. 364 (1835). 

 Buchnera euphrasioides, Vahl, Moon Cat. 45. Thw. Enum. 220. 



C. P. 2287, 2079. 



Fl. B. Ind. iv. 299. Wight, Ic. t. 855 {Buchnera). 



Stems 6-18 in., erect, stiff, glabrous or slightly hispid, often 

 much branched; 1. ^-i in., opp. below, alt. above, sessile, linear, 

 entire, scabrous, with white pustular prickles; fl. rather large, 

 very shortly pedicellate, forming long, lax, erect spikes; cal. 

 campanulate, with 15 scabrous ribs, segm. linear-lanceolate, 

 acuminate, very acute; cor.-tube much curved and exserted, 

 pubescent outside, upper lip much shorter than lower; cap- 

 sule ovoid, shorter than cal., valves strongly reflexed after 

 dehiscence. 



