ARALIACE^. 179 



B R A S S A I A . F.B.I. 71 IX. 



A small genus of two species separated from HEP- 

 TAPLEURUM because the flowers are collected into small 

 heads and each surrounded at the base by four bracteoles. 



Brassaia capitata C. B. Clarke ; F.B.L ii 732, IX I. A 

 low well branched tree with the palmately compound 

 leaves and general habit of Heptapleiirum racemosum and 

 the inflorescence of Heptapleurmn rostratiim, except that 

 the flowers are in dense sessile heads of six or seven, 

 not umbels, at the ends of comparatively short stalks 

 standing out along the stout branches of a large terminal 

 panicle. 



Lenticels on the branches and leaf-bases very large, 

 up to J^ by 1/16 inch. Leaf-base sheathing and con- 

 tinued above the insertion for J^ inch as a triangular 

 intra-petiolar stipule, covering the axillary bud. Petiole 

 7 inches: leaflets seven, their stalks 2 inches; blade 6 

 by 2 inches, thick and firm, glossy on the upper side, dull 

 and light green on the under ; midrib very stout, brown ; 

 veins very slender, but distinct on the upper side, both 

 veins and the smaller reticulations distinct on the lower 

 side. Panicles terminal; branches 14 inches, stout, in 

 the axils of triangular acute J^ inch bracts, dark purple 

 in colour, and with scattered stellate hairs. Peduncles 

 of heads similar, 1% inches, ribbed, standing out almost 

 at right angles from the main branches in the axils of 

 concave bracts 1/5 inch. Heads J^ to % inch wide, of 

 about ten flowers. Buds round ^ inch, sessile in the 

 axil of three concave brown tomentose bracts. Calyx 

 entire, nearly half the bud. Petals six, valvate, hard. 

 Stamens as many, longer, bent abruptly inwards just 

 below the anther; anther opening inwards. Ovary 

 bluntly conical, continuous with the disc at the base, in 

 which are twelve small hollows containing glistening 

 drops of honey; no style ; cells six. t. 131. 

 1 2- A 



