Limxantiibmum.] GENTIANACE2E. 79 



or clusters at the nodes, or on the apparent petiole close below tho 

 E-blade. Calnx 1 7-partite, lobes lanceolate or oblong. Corolla 

 lubrotate, 4-7-partite ; lobes induplicate-valvate in hud, usually hairy 

 or with a median crest margins fimbriate or naked. Stamens 4-7, 

 on the eorolLi-tuhe, filaments short, anthers versatile. Ovary 1-celled, 

 placentas not intruded, style long or short, stigma 2-lobed. Capsule 

 indehisrent or bursting irregularly. Seeds winged or not, smooth or 

 tubeculate. — Species about *20, in tropical or temperate regions of 

 the world. 



Corolla-lobes glabrous, with a longitudinal 

 crest down the middle, seeds smooth . 1. L. cristatum. 



Corolla-lobes densely papillose, not crested 

 down the middle, seeds scabrous . . 2. L. indicum. 



1. L. cristatum, Grit b. in DC. Prod, tar, 139 ; F. B. I. iv, 131 : Watt E. 

 D.; Prain Beng.Pl. 709 ; Cooke Fl . Bomb, ii, 195. Menyantlies cristata 

 Roxb.; Fl. Ind i, 459. Villarsia cristata, Spreng- ; Boyle III, 277.— Vera. 

 Chuli. 



A smaller plant than L. indicvm, and with shorter and more slender 

 etiole-like branches. Rhizome short, erect. Floating leaves 2-4 in. in 

 diam., purplish and with green veins beneath ; petioles {-1$ in. long. 

 Flowers white, pedicels £-2, in. long. Calyx-lobes obtuse. Corolla % in. 

 in diam. ; lobes £ in. long, obovate. glabrous, with a broad longitudinal 

 crest down the middle of each. Capsule % in. long. Seeds strongly 

 muriculate. 



Very common within the area in ponds and ditches, flowering throughout 

 the summer months. D18TEIB. Throughout India and in Ceylon, 

 extending to China. Malaya and the Philippines. The stems, leaves and 

 fruits are often eaten in certain parts of India more particularly in 

 times of famine. 



2, L. indicum, Thwaites Envm. 205 ; F. B. I. iv, 131 ; Train Beng. PI. 

 709 ; Cooke Fl. Bomb, ii, 195. Menyantlies indica, Linn.; Roxb. Fl. In 

 i, 460. Villarsia indica, Vent.; Royle III , 277.— Vera. Bara chuli. 



Rhizome horizontal or oblique ; branches from the axils of sheathing 

 membranous scales, petiole-like, each on reaching the surface of the 

 water producing from a swollen node near the apex a tuft of roots, 

 a cluster of flowers, a single floating leaf and a branch capable of 

 repeating the formation of other flowers and leaves. Floating leaves 

 fleshy, 3-12 in. in diam., orbicular, cordate, the basal lobes obtuse, 

 margins more or lees sinuate, green beneath ; petioles stout, i ^ in. long. 

 Flcvers in clusters, appearing above the surface of the water between the 

 basal-lobes of the leaves; pedicels 'J-5 in. long. Calyx 5-G-rartito; 

 lobes i in. long, oblong, subacute. Corolla 1$ in. across, white with a 

 ye; low centre ; lobes usually 6, oblong, obtuee, ? in. long, clothed inside 

 w\th long cottony hairs, tut not crested down the middle. Capsule $-$ 

 n. in diam., subglobose. Seeds many, obovate, smooth. 



