Dnim7yiondian(B. N. O. Compositae 



TAB, CCXL. 



Keerlia skirrhobasis. 



Annua ramosa canescenti-velutina, foliis sessilibus oblongis 

 obtusis basi attenuatis integerriniis aut serratis, involucri 

 squamis margine subraembranaceis, ligulis 20-25 linearibus, 

 corollarum omnium tubo basi demum incrassato et indurato. 



Keerlia skirrhobasis. De Cand. Prodr, v. 5. p* 310. 



Hab. Mexico, between Bejar and Rio Trinidado. Berlandier. 

 Rio Brazos of Texas, and at San Felipe de Austin. Drum- 



mond (III. Coll. w. 186). 



I had marked this as a distinct Genus among Mr Drummond*s 

 plants, when the fifth volume of De C^ndoWe s Prodromus reached 

 me, where that admirable botanist has given it under his Genus 

 Keerlia (so named after a Mexican traveller, F. W* Keerl). 

 Three species are there brought under it: and under one {K* 

 linearifolia) is doubtfully introduced (and not only there but also 

 under Aphanostephus ramosissimus) Brachycome xanthocomoides^ 

 Less., a plant which may probably be safely referred to the 

 Bellis integrifolia of Michaux- With the second species of 

 Keerlia {K, ramosa) I am unacquainted. The third is our pre- 

 sent plant, remarkable for the base of the tube of the corollas 

 (both the tubular and ligulate ones) hecoming singularly thick, 

 indurated, and corky. The pappus is a cup-shaped border to 

 the achenium, thin and somewhat membranaceous at the margin, 

 thick and corky at the base, as is also the achenium itself, espe- 

 cially the radial one. 



Fig. 1. Radial floret. /. 2. Achenium of the same. /. 3. 

 Central floret. /. 4. The same, with the corolla laid open. 



