Maiautaccae. 7 3 



An erect branchiiii^ shrub. Stem and rhizome fleshy, spindle- 

 shaped, with sheath and often the leaves beneath pilose or glabrous. 

 Leaves ovate- lanceolate or lanceolate, attenuate-acuminate, rounded 

 or truncate at the base, about 22 cm long, 8 cm wide; the terete 

 petiole the entire length callous, pilose above; ligula rounded, often 

 conspicuous. Inflorescence racemose, terminal, about 15cm long; pe- 

 duncle 10 cm long; bracts linear- lanceolate, about 5 cm long; flowers 

 in 3 pairs, peduncle 5 cm long; pedicel of terminal flower about 

 1cm long. Ovary glabrous, moderately hairy. Sepals ovate-lanceo- 

 late, 1,5 cm long. Corolla-tube white, at the base wide, 1,3 cm long; 

 lobes 8 — 10 mm long. Outer staminode 3 — 10 mm long. 



Cultivated in the tropics of the whole world. 



Explanation of plates. 



Plate I. 



A — F. Mo?iophry7iium, fasciculatum. A. Habitus. B. Flower. C — E. 



Sepals. F. Petal. 

 G — J. Donax ariindastrum. G. Flower. H. Fruit. J. Transverse 

 section of fruit. 



Plate II. 

 Maranta arundinacea. A. Part of rhizome. B. Branch with leaves 

 C. Flowering branch. D. Flower. E. Fruit. F. Transverse 

 section of fruit. 



Plate III. 

 A — E. Phacelophryninni hracteosum. A. Inflorescence in fruit. 



B. Fruit. C. Longitudinal section of fruit. D. Transverse 



section of fruit. E. Seed. 

 F— 0. FJuicclophrijniKin intcrr upturn. F. Inflorescence in fruit. 



G— J. Flower prepared from bud. K — M. Fruit. N — 0. Seed. 



