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TABULA 2990. 
HIBISCUS WATSONI, W. W. Smith. 
MatvacEAzE. Tribus HIBIscEAE. 
H. Watsoni, W. W. Smith in Kew Bull., 1912, p. 198; species 
distinctissima floribus in spicam validam multibracteatam congestis. 
Frutex 1-1°5 m. altus, erectus, vix ramosus ; caulis inferne lignosus, 
superne fistulosus, pallidus, spiculis aureis stellatim dispositis hispidis- 
simus. Folia suborbicularia, repando-lobata, apice lobisque acuta, 
basi cordata sinu angusto usque ad 5 cm. longo, utrinque pilis parvis 
stellatis asperata, nervis spiculiferis, margine crebre denticulata denti- 
culis alternis longioribus ; nervi primarii 5-7, supra prominuli, subtus 
prominentes; rete venularum densum, subtus valde prominens ; 
petiolus crassus. Spica terminalis, multiflora, densissime beacteata-; 
bracteae lineares, a siabiartne 6-7 cm. longae, subadpresse hispidulae. 
Involucrum campanulatum, 10-13-laciniatum, dense pubescens, sparse 
adpresse hispidulum ; tubus paullo ultra 1 cm. longus; lobi subulati, 
inaequales, circiter 2 cm. longi. Calyx tubulosus, firmus, dense as- 
cuneato-obovata, rotundata vel emarginata, 3-5-4 cm. longa, circiter 
‘3 cm. lata, basi longiuscule ciliata. Columna staminea 4-5 cm 
longa; filamentella numerosa, brevia. Ovariwm dense Gllesim : 
styli rami 4-5 mm. longi, stigmatibus peltatis. Capsula ovoidea, 
acuminata, 3 cm. longa, 1°5 cm. diametro, dense sericeo-villosa. Semina 
in quoque loculo circiter 3-4, molliter pilosa. Cotyledones ovatae, 
rotundatae, basi cordatae. 
Inpo-Cuina. Upper Burma: Southern Shan States ; Taunggyi, 
about 1000 m., H. W. A. Watson, 2061; near Pinlaung, 1200- 
1500 m., on rocky soil, Moung Thaw Forest, W. A. Robertson, 9 
The dense multibracteate spike serves to distinguish H. Watsoni 
from all the other species. Its affinities are doubtful. H. cancellatus, 
Roxb., has been suggested as an ally, but this differs greatly in the 
indumentum, the texture of the leaves and the nature of the capsule. 
H. macrophyllus, Roxb., resembles H. Watsona as regards the above 
characters, and mt see sto be more closely related toit. The involucre, 
however, is very differ 
According to Sony the stem of H. Watsoni is used by the Shans 
for sia spear shafts.—T. A. SPRAGUE 
Fia. 1, flower; 2, a section of flower, the “ger cut off; 3, style- 
arms; 4,seed; 5, embryo. and 2 of natural size, 3-5 enlarged. 
