4. Bltxa.] 131. RYDROCHABITACEM. 



anthers narrow erect, pistillodes 3 slender. Fern. fl. solitary in its 

 spathe which is peduncled as in the male, hypanthium elongated above 

 ovary, perianth as in male, staminodes or minute. Ovary very 

 slender, beaked with the hypanthium, style very short, stigmas 3 

 filiform, ovules many. Fruit very slenderly fusiform included in the 

 ventricose ribbed spathe. Seeds many with mucilaginous testa. 



A. Flowers dioecious : — 



Stamens 8. (0-9\ Seeds small, tails short or . . . I. ocfandra. 



B. Flowers 2-sexual. Stamens 3 : — 



L. (5"-ift. Capsule 2-3". Seeds with very long tails . . 2. echinosperma, 

 L. 4-6". Capsule l-l'o". Seeds with very short tails . . 3, oryzetorum. 



1. B. OCtandra, Planch. Syn. Vallisneria octandra, Roxb. ; Blyxa 



Roxburghii, Rich. 

 Leaves 8-24" long from the root, tapering to a fine point; minutely 

 serrulate (ahvays ?), -o" or less broad. Peduncles raising the flowers 

 a little above the surface. Fls. dioecious. Male spathe open at the 

 top, fls. white mod. -sized, opening in succession, pedicels lengthening 

 when the fls. are ready to expand. Sepals green, lanceolate. Petals 

 linear, recurved, more than twice as long as sepals. Stamens usually 

 8, unequal, erect, rudimentary carpels 3. Fem. fl. with scape shorter 

 and thicker than in the male, but the elongated hypanthium brings 

 flowers to the surface, petals more filiform. Capsule 2-4" by -17". 

 Seeds tubercled -04" with tails short or 0. 



Distributed from the Central Provinces to Eastern Bengal and Khasia Mnts. to 

 Madras and United Provinces, hence it is sure to occur in our area, though I have 

 seen no specimens therefrom. Fl: Sept. 



2. B. echinosperma. Hook. f. 



Appears to have a denser tuft of leaves than the last, •4--5''' broad, 

 very finely acuminate, more prominent nerves 5, Flowers all perfect, 

 one in each spathe, the peduncle ultimately 1-3 ft. according to the 

 depth of the water. Spathe long linear opening with a slit on one 

 side, produced and tubular above the floAver. Hypanthium sometimes 

 4*5" long, on the top of which the " valvate sepals and long petals 

 with their tips often spiral. Stamens 3 but only 2 antheriferous " 

 {Clarke). Seeds spinescent and together with the slender tails -5" 

 long. 



Occurs at Comilla, Bengal, Clarkel and is also common in the tanks of West 

 Kanara, Talbot ! It is probably found in the intermediate area. Fl. Oct. 



Talbot says " at the time of {lowering the deejj water plants become detached 

 from the bottom and float on the surface." 



3. B. oryzetorum. Hook. f. 



A short tufted species with leaves 4-6" long only, entire or micro- 

 scopically serrulate or obscurely crenulate, tips filamentous. Flowers 

 2-sexual. Petals Avhite linear with j'ellowish twisted ends. Stamens 

 3. Capsule 1-1-5" by -17". Seeds sparsely but sharply tubercled, 

 •07" long, tails very short or 0. 



In rice fields. From United Provinces, A'e/c Herb, to Bengal, J.D.H. ! and 

 Khnsia Hills, Clarke \ Ranchi, Prain ! Fl. Aug. 



The Ranchi specimeu has spreading rosulate leaves with filiform tips. The 

 scape is described as very short 1>ut this would be expected from the habitat. 



854 



