Plate 2561. 



PITTOSPORUM SPATHACEUM, Burkill. 



PlTTOSPORE/E. 



P. Spathaceum, Burkill (sp. nov.) ; species P. undulato. Vent, sepal is 



connatis aliquatenus similis. 



Arbuscula (?), raraisgracilibus cortice pallidis levibus. Folia alterna, 

 ad apices ramorum conferta, obovata, Integra, glabra, 2.\-3 poll, longa, 

 1-1 J poll, lata, apice rotundata vel obtusa, basi in petiolos breves 

 contracta; petioli 4-5 lin. longi. P<micula pauciflora, foliis dimidio 

 brevior ; pedicelli 5-6 lin. longi. GaJyx spathaceus, breviter appen- 

 diculatus, per anthesin e parte superiori ad basin uno latere fissus, 



multinervis, 5 lin. longus. Petala linearia, acuta, longitudinaliter 

 triata, leviter imbricata, in mediis cdalita, 6 lin. longa, vix 1 lin. lata. 



Stamina 4 lin. longa ; antherre breves, versatiles. Ovarium 2-carpellare, 

 basi dimidiatum, apice in stylum contractum, stigmate quadrilobato ; 

 placentis contact is. 



Tonga Islands : Vavau, Crosby, 200. 



This species is an extreme form, connected with the rest of the genus 

 through the Australian P. undvJatnm. The completely spathaceous 

 calyx, narrower petals, and the obovate blunt leaves distinguish it 

 readily. The colour of the petals appears to have been mauve or 

 purple; but as no notes accompany the dried specimen it is not possible 

 to speak with certainty.— I. H. Burkill. 



Fig. 1, a flower ; 2, stamens ; 3, pistil ; 4, cross section of ovary. All enlarged. 



SERIES IV. VOL. VI. PART III. 



