156. ZINGIBERACE.E. [2. Curcuma. 



longer than their bracts. . . . Root of several erect solid conical 

 pale straw or pearl-cold., powerfully aromatic bulbs which supported 

 the former year's foliage and are marked Avith scars, round their lower 

 half issues a number of strong fleshy flbres, many of which end in 

 ovate or sub-cylindrical, pale-white, slightly aromatic tubers. Leaves 

 2-farious, 6-8, 3-4 ft. long, including the sheaths and petioles, cuspi- 

 date, smooth, uniform dark-green Avith the nerves or ribs red, (blade) 

 12-24" long by 5-6" broad. Petioles and sheaths deep red. Scape 

 radical, lateral, about 6" long, invested in several dark reddish sheaths. 

 Spike tufted, 5-6". Coma less deeply coloured than in Zerumbet 

 (C. zedoaria, Roscoe). Fls. small, rather longer than their bracts, 

 bright yellow, fragrant. Tube of the corolla slender, mouth shut 

 with three villous, yelloAV glands." 



Singbhum, in damp forests ! (if my plant is really this, see beloAv). Fl. May; 

 lea\'es appear soon after. 



A living specimen Avas sent by me to Calcutta in 1902 and there identified as 

 C. rubescens. Roxb. 



The following Avere field notes : Spike with peduncle 6"-l ft. above gromid, 

 spike 3-5-5" long and 2" diam. Floral bracts 1-25-1 -5 long, one-half to two- 

 thirds free, A'arying from green to a deep crimson, • 75-1" broad. Bracts of coma 

 fcAv, magenta, oblong or elliptic-oblong, 2", inner surface of all bracts puberulous. 

 Fls. 1-5" long from bright sulphur yelloAv Avith coloiuless coroUa to a chrome 

 yellow and a delicate pink- veined corolla. Calyx -5", usually AA'ith 2 distinct 

 keeled obtuse pubescent lobes and a third split lobe. Corolla-tube -5", upper 

 lobe OA'ate-oblong • 75", mucronate or apiculate aboA-e the iuA-olute margin, lateral 

 lobes shorter AA'ith flat margins. Staminodes exceeding the corolla, oboA^ate- 

 oblong, obtuse, lip broadly oblong-obovate 2-fid or emarginate or sometimes with 

 a narroAA' middle lobe. 



It AA-ill be observed that the coloration is extremely A-ariable. and if the specimen 

 sent to Calcutta Avas correctly identified, it Avould appear that there is little, if any, 

 difference betAveen this species and V. angustifolia, except in the shape of the leaves 

 (which Avere not developed in our plant and are certainly A^ariable in angustifolia), 

 and possibly the indumentum on the ovary. This is villous in angustifolia, but 

 Roxburgh ngmes it glabrous in rubescens and does not mention it in the text. I 

 know of no authentic specimen of Roxburgh's plant. 



4. C. leucorhiza, Roxb. Tikur, H. 



Whole plant 3-4 ft. high when in leaf. Leaves broad-lanceolar, 

 glabrous, sub-plicate (from the draAAnng). Spike lateral 6-8", fcAv-fld., 

 and bracts of coma fcAv, pale rose. FloAvers only as long as the bracts, 

 not at all exserted, but Avith a relatively long and slender corolla-tube 

 • 6" and a short ventricose portion. Petals ovate, dorsal slightly 

 mucronate and hooded lateral acuminate, recurved, Avhite slightly 

 tinged purple. Lateral staminodes yelloAV. Lip ovate, white with 

 purplish tinge, 2-fid and yelloAv at apex. 



Jungles south of Bhagalpur, Roxburgh. Fl. May. 



This is only knoAA-n from Roxburgh's picture and description. Bulbs conical 

 with several rhizomes often 1 foot long, straight and cylindrical, both A^ery pale 

 yellow Avithin. Tubers ellipsoid pearly Avhite AAithin. Roxburgh says that the 

 flOAvers are yelloAv Avithin with the exterior border slightly tinged AA'ith pink. 



Yields arroAvroot. 



5. C. aromatica, Salisb., not C. Zedoaria, Roxb. ? Palo, Paro, K., S. 

 Leaves not mature at the time of floAvering, mature ' -AA^er ovate, 



upper ell. -oblong Avuth the base passing gradually int i the winged 

 petiole, 16-30" by 8-10", Avith a finely tAAisted tail 1" long cviid margin 



1133 



