4. Agave. ] 87. AMAUYLLIDACEM. [ L Tacca. 



4. A- sisalana, Perrine. 



Rhizome sometimes ascendiDg, hidden by the leaf-bases. 

 Zv. closely tufted, not at all constricted above the moderately 

 thick base, deep-green glaucous op not, up to 6 ft., breadth 

 up to 10". Prickles 0, or if present weak, scattered and 

 pale. 



This species is cultivated in Ohota Nagpur and is likely to be more 

 extensively planted. It is stated that a somewhat poor land of a loose 

 stony nature is best suited to produce a good fibre (Cameron, quoted 

 in the Bulletin, p. 27). 



FurcraBa is easily distinguised from Agave by the hypanthium not 

 being produced into a tube or cup above the ovary, and the stamens being 

 much shortee than the tepals, with the lower part of the filament very 

 much expanded. Although the hypanthium is not produced into a tube, 

 it is however often (always ?) produced together with the adnate style or 

 top of the ovary into a Boiid beak. Species of Furorsea, one of which 

 yields the Mauritius hemp, are frequent in gardens. The leaves are 

 usually unarmed or only slightly armed, green (not glaucous) and the 

 flowers pendulous in immense panicles. 



Fam. 88. TACCACEffi. 



Tuberons-rooted herbs with the inflorescence of AmarylH- 

 dace© but leaves partite or pinnati fid. St. broadly adnate to 

 the perianth tube, one opp. each lobe, with decurrent wings, 

 free portions completely hooded inflexed bearing the adnate 

 linear anther lobes one on each side of the mid-rib on the upper 

 (inside) surface of the hood, the lobed apex of which is 

 slightly upcurved disclosing the tips of the anther-cells. 

 Ovary 1 -eel led with 3 parietal placentae and many ovules. 

 Stigmas large petaloid. 



1. Tacca, Forst. 



1. T. pinnatifida, Forest. Dhai, K., S. 



A herb with a large globose tuber, and long petioled 

 succulent tripartite and pinnatifid leaves 1-2 ft. wide, termi- 

 nating in 2-3 large ovate lobes 4-9 7 long. Fls. broadly 

 campanulate greenish about %-\" long. Bracts among the 



627 



