III.l 



SCITAMINE^. 



323 



having two or three anthers almost quite free from the style 

 and stigma. The flowers, moreover, are regular. 



108. Natural Order, BtirmanniacecB. — The Burmannia 

 Family. 



Herbs with grass- or scale-like leaves. Stamens three or 

 six. Ovary inferior. 



Type — Burmannia distachya. 



A small, slender, erect herb, with narrow radical and 

 cauline ensiform leaves, terminating in a forked cyme, each 

 branch bearing several unilateral, pretty, pale-blue regular 

 flowers, with three-winged inferior ovaries. 



Some of the species of this small Family are scaly, pale- 

 coloured parasites. 



109. Natural Order, ScitaminecB. — The Ginger and 

 Arrowroot Family. 



Herbs with irregular flowers and one free stamen (except 

 in Musd). Ovary inferior. 



Type — Alpinia nutans (Piinagchampa, Beng.). 

 A tall (garden) herb with lanceolate, distichous, sheathing 

 leaves, and a terminal racemose panicle of beautiful orange 

 and red irregular flowers. 



Y 2 



