.Strobzlanthes.'] AcailtliacecE. 299 



gregarious, stems usually quadrangular when young, 1. opp., 



generally large, toothed or serrate, usually lineolate, fl. 



sessile or rarely (apparently) stalked, moderate-sized or 



large, usually in heads or spikes, rarely in panicles of cymes, 



floral bracts various, often large and much imbricated, 



bractlets usually small and linear or o; sep. 5, generally 



equal, often combined into a cal. when in fi., but distinct and 



often enlarged in fruit ; cor. funnel-shaped or narrowly cam- 



panulate, often contracted in lower part into a slender narrow 



tube, straight or curved, lobes 5, nearly equal, contorted in 



bud ; stam. 4, didynamous, or 2, anth. not appendaged ; ov. 



with 2 ovules in each cell ; capsule small ; seeds 4 or 2, oval, 



much compressed, glabrous or hairy, retinacula strong, curved. 



Sp. 180 ; 146 in Fl. B. Ind. 



One of the largest genera in our flora, and of remarkable interest. 

 All the species but three appear to be endemic, but they cannot be said 

 to have been exhaustively compared with those of the S. Indian Hills, 

 and we may probably have other species here yet undetermined from not 

 having been met with in flower. Many of the species which grow in the 

 upper montane zone are remarkable for their gregarious occurrence in 

 vast abundance and over large areas. The principal ones, especially 

 common, and together or separately forming unbroken sheets of under- 

 growth in the forests, are S. viscosus, asperri/mes, calycinus^ and sexennis^ 

 to which may be added less commonly S. Walkeri, a7iceps^ Arnottimius^ 

 vcstiius, Hookeri, laxus, pulcherrvmts, and a few others. These live for 

 several years without flowering, growing close together with straight erect 

 stems, which in some reach a height of 8-10 ft., are quite woody, and 

 several inches in diameter. A few flowers may here and there be found 

 every year, but it is not until the plants reach a certain age, apparently 

 usually from 10-13 years, that the whole patch or area bursts into 

 simultaneous blossoming. These patches or districts are often of great 

 extent, and the boundaries between those of different ages are very 

 conspicuous, being as distinct as if artificially sown.* After this general 

 and profuse flowering the whole patch begins to wither and ripen the 

 seed — a process which takes several months or even a year (whence ripe 

 seed is rarely found in herbariums), and then dies down. There is 

 probably a patch to be found flowering somewhere in the mountains 

 €very year. The wood is hard but brittle, with a large pith, and makes 

 very good fuel, and tlie flowers are often beautiful. The name 'Nelu' is 

 applied to the whole genus, and, indeed, is extended to include Acan- 

 thacese generally. 



Stam. 2 ; fl. in spikes (except in 8) ; sep. connate 

 into cal.; seeds glabrous {Endopogo7i). 

 Bractlets o; cor. -lobes as long as tube . . 3. S. STENODON. 



* I am indebted for much information about the Nelus to Mr. T. Farr, 

 of North Cave Estate, Bogawantalawa, who, during a long residence in 

 this high mountain region, has paid much attention to the natural 

 features of the country. 



