124. IJRTICAGE.E. [6. Pouzolzia, 



specimens in the Cal. Herh. from our area except a fragment from Wood and the 

 Tarai one. Fl., Fr. Oct. -Jan. 



The Singbhum plant has all the leaves alternate and is probably var. tetraptera, 

 Wedd. Some varieties have the fruit ridged but not winged and the leaves mostly 

 opposite. In one of Clarice's specimens the achenes are ovoid S-ribbed, 2 lateral 

 each side sometimes larger. Leaves reduced in size upwards but not bractiform as 

 in pentandra. 



2. P. auriculata, Wight. 



Shrubby with erect branched stem, branches virgate, Avrinkled 

 (when dry) puberulous or hairy. Leaves alternate, lanceolate elliptic 

 or ovate, acute or gradually acuminate, hispid-puberulous or asperu- 

 lous above, more or less pubescent or pilose (pubescent-tomentose, 

 Weddell) beneath, margins ciliate, 1-4" long, 3-5-nerved and with a 

 pair of opposite sec. n. about half way up. Petioles long, at least at 

 base, 1-3". Clusters axillary, androgynous, male 5-androus. Fruit- 

 ing perianth apterous and ribbed or auricled or subalate, 1-5-3 mm. 

 broad, apex 2-dentate. 



Singbhum, Clarke ! On syenite hills. Rare. Fl. Nov. 



L. when young canescent, base acute or obtuse and sometimes rounded. 



3. P. pentandra, 5e?r«. 



Herbaceous or sometimes suffruticose at the base, usually decum- 

 bent below, then erect or trailing up to 3 ft. long or more. Leaves 

 linear tapering to linear-lanceolate, or lower ovate or ovate -lanceolate, 

 always opposite below, 1-5-3" long, upper and floral bracts gradually 

 smaller and alternate, sec. n. 0. Petioles short, or in the upper 

 leaves. Flowers very inconspicuous in nearly all the leaf axils, the 

 clusters becoming spicate above from the gradually decreasing size 

 of the leaves. Males 5-merous pedicelled cup-shaped below, the upper 

 part of the tepals membranous and abruptly inflexed in bud so that 

 the cup has a truncate or depressed top and a prominent angle or 

 plait at the flexure. Fern, sessile, most minute in flower, conspicuous 

 in fruit, perianth at flrst smooth tubular 2-toothed, subsequently 

 tube ridged on one side and the two tepals becoming alate, finally 

 fruiting perianth with a large white concave cordate or emarginate 

 combined wing -1--12" long, and a fleshy ridge, enclosing black 

 shining conical achene which is as long as the fleshy ridge. 



River banks and wet places. More common than the others. Singbhum ! 

 Ranchi ascending to Neterhat 3000 ft.! Palamau ! Sambalpur! Fl. Aug.-Oct. 

 Fr. Oct.-Dec. 



Stems from a perennial rootstock bearing buds in the autumn, often red, usually 

 with raised puberulous lines decurrent fi-om the leaf bases. Leaves dotted, margin 

 and sometimes the 3 nerves ciliolate. Base rounded or cordate. Stipules very 



4. P. hirta, Hassk. 



Slender with hairy or nearly glabrescent stems. Leaves, larger 

 4-5" by 1-1", lanceolate with rounded base, hairy, hispid or glabrescent,. 

 old copiously marked with small white dots above, usually strongly 

 3 -nerved a little above the base, the three primary nerves extending 

 nearly to the apex, 1-2 weaker nerves on each side below the primary. 

 M. flowers globose truncate, hairy above, with long pedicels -I-'IS",. 

 5-merous, in close clusters. 



817 



