242 Lxxxv. ASCLEPiADEiE (brown). [CryptoUpis, 



1. CRYPTOLEPIS, K. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. PI. ii. 740. 



Calyx 5-partite. Corolla-tube campannlate ; lobes overlapping and 

 more or less twisted to the left when in bud, at each angle between 

 them, within, is a minute pocket-like flap (sinus-pocket), which is some- 

 times a direct continuation of the margin of one lobe adnate to the 

 inner face of the adjacent lobe between its margin and mid-line, and 

 sometimes arises from the inner face of both lobes near their margins, 

 but quite distinct from the latter, truncate or produced into a tooth or 

 filiform process, in the latter case resembling a second coronal- whorl. 

 Corona of 5 filiform or fleshy lobes or processes arising from about the 

 middle of the corolla-tube some distance above the insertion of th& 

 stamens, but sometimes decurrent down to the latter, alternating with 

 the corolla-lobes. Stamens inserted towards the base of the corolla- 

 tube ; filaments free ; anthers more or less triangular, with the connec- 

 tive produced into a fleshy apiculus, united at their base to the dilated 

 part of the style, more or less connivent in a cone. Pollen granular. 

 Pollen-carrier more or less spathulate. Style shortly conical at the 

 apex, shorter than the anthers. Follicles linear -terete or ovate, smooth. 

 Seeds crowned with a tuft of hairs. — Erect or twining shrubs. Leaves 

 opposite or whorled, rarely subfasiculate on the short flowering shoots. 

 Flowers small or of moderate size, arranged in axillary, sublateral, or 

 terminal cymes, or rarely subsolitary. Curroria, Planch, ex Benth. in 

 Hook. Niger Fl. 457. Ectadiopsis, Benth. in Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. 

 PL ii.*741. 



Species several ; the genus extends from Cashmere through the tropics of the 

 Old World to Madagascar and Natal, 



The sinus-pockets should perhaps be regarded as belonging to the corona. 



Leaves of the short lateral flowering shoots crowded, 



subf asciculate, linear-spathulate ; flowers solitary . 1. C. decidua. 

 Leaves all opposite or in whorls of 3, rarely alternate, 

 pairs or whorls distant; flowers in 2 (o many- 

 flowered cymes or panicles. (In IQ, C.suffruticosa 

 they are sometimes solitai-y). 

 Leaves cordate and stem-clasping at the base, 2^-4 in. 



broad 2. C. liypoglauca,. 



Leaves acute or rounded at the base, usually less tlia-n 

 2 iti. broad. 

 Leaves oblong, emarginate or subtrnncate at the 



apex, mucronate . . . . . . 6. C, obfusa. 



Leaves usually acute or acuminate, sometimes 

 obtuse at the apex. 

 *Corolla-lobes 3-6 lin. long. 



Cymes lax, several-flowered, with branches 



3-4 in. long ; coronal-lobes ovate , . 3. C. apiculaia. 



Cymes lax, 3-7-flovvered, with branches ^-1 in. 



long ; coronal-lobes triangular, acute . 4. C. triangularis. 



