[Vor. 1 
402 ANNALS OF THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN 
8 сіп. long by 2 em. in greatest width, margin distantly and 
obscurely glandular-denticulate, very densely and uniformly 
covered on both surfaces with an appressed canescent pubescence 
of long, pointed, tuberculate hairs. Stems and buds less densely 
covered with the same type of pubescence, ovary four-winged, 
10-15 mm. in length, densely canescently pubescent, pedicel- 
late; hypanthium 9-10 cm. in length, 2-2.5 mm. thick, grad- 
ually widening to base of cone; bud cone 30-35 mm. in length, 
diameter at base 8 mm., sepal tips appressed, 3-4 mm. in length, 
petals 3-5 em. long, stigma surrounded by or slightly exceeding 
the stamens; capsules immature. 
The remarkable canescent pubescence covering the whole 
plant, as well as the cæspitose habit, distinguish this species 
from Megapterium missouriensis (Sims) Spach, and M. macro- 
carpum.' The flowers are also smaller, there are no purple 
spots on the sepals, and the hypanthium is shorter than in 
these species, which differ in foliage as well. Тһе present 
species is apparently perennial. Its nearest relative is M. 
Fremontii (Watson) Britton, from which it differs in the more 
esspitose habit, larger flowers, and much broader leaves. 
The variety retusifolium is founded on the third specimen on 
the sheet (see pl. 23 fig. 3). It differs sharply from the species 
in the shape of the leaves, which are very broad and blunt at 
the point, subrotund to oblong-obovate, retuse, and distinetly 
mucronate. The margin of the leaves is also nearly or quite 
entire. Тһе flowers are larger (petals 45 mm., bud cone 9 mm. 
in diameter at base). Microscopic examination of the hairs 
disclosed considerable variation in size, but apparently no con- 
stant difference from those of the species. 
The Eggert specimens, while obviously belonging to the same 
species, show much more variability in foliage. Тһе leaves 
vary on different specimens from narrowly lanceolate (9 mm. 
in width) to broad oblong-lanceolate (30-36 mm. wide) and 
acuminate. Тһе latter resemble var. retusifolium except the 
leaf tips, which are only slightly retuse in one specimen. One 
of the broad-leaved specimens also has a smaller flower (petals 
20 mm.). Cultures from seeds from this locality would doubt- 
! Megapterium macrocarpum (Pursh), comb. nov. 
Gnothera macrocarpa Pursh, Fl. Am., Sept. 2: 734. 1814. 
