cxxxiv. sciTAMiNE^ (baker). 29:> 



Okder cxxxiv. SCITAMINE^. (By J. G. Baker.) 



Flowers usually hermaphrodite, rarely unisexual by abortion. 

 Perianth superior, usually in two distinct rows of 3 lobes each. 

 Sepals equal, free or united in a tube at the base. Corolla tubular 

 at the base ; lobes equal, or the dorsal larger and concave. An- 

 droecium very irregular, normally in two rows of 3 lobes each ; 

 stamen usually single, linear, with a 2-celled or 1 -celled anther. Ovary 

 inferior, usually ;)-celled ; style long, often involute at the apex ; 

 stigma terminal ; stylodia often present. Fruit crowned by the per- 

 sistent calyx, usually 3-celled, capsular or indehiscent. Seeds 1 or 

 many in a cell, albuminous ; albumen hard or farinaceous ; embryo 

 central, straight or horseshoe-shaped. — Herbs, rarely shrubs, usually 

 perennials ; rootstock often horizontal, dry or tuberous. Leaves oblong 

 or lanceolate, cauline or all radical. Inflorescence spicate, racemose or 

 panicled, produced from the end or side of the leafy stem or direct from 

 the rootstock. Petaloid staminodia often showy and brightly coloured. 



Species 500, spread through the Tropical regions of both hemispheres. 



Of the common officinal species of the order, Maranfa arundinacea, Curcnma 

 longa, and Zingiber officinale are widely cultivated throughout Tropical Africa. The 

 specimen in the herbarium of the British Museum of Zingiber duhium, Afzel., col- 

 lected by Dr. Daniell, and cited as authentic by Horaninow, is not in flower, but, as 

 far as it goes, agrees with Z. officinale. 



Teibe I. Zingriberese. — Stamen!; anther 2-celled ; emhryo straight. 

 Lateral staminodia large and petaloid . . . .1. KiEMPFEKiA, 

 Lateral staminodia rudimentary or suppressed. 



Acaulescent. Flowers in the centre of a rosette of 



leaves 2. Cadalvena. 



Inflorescence dense, capitate, peduncled. 



Stamen placed in the centre of a large petaloid 



process 3. Cosirs. 



Stamen without any petaloid border . . . .4. Amomum. 

 Inflorescence thyrsoid 5. Rknealmia, 



Teibe II. MaraDteae. — Stamen 1; anther 1-celled ; ovules solitarg ; emhryo 

 curved. 



Ovary with 2 cells suppressed . . . . .6. Thalia. 



Ovary with 3 perfect cells. 

 Inflorescence lax. 



Inflorescence panicled ; bracts cylindrical . . 7. Donax. 



Inflorescence simple or forked; bracts broad . 8. TKACiiYrnuvyiUM. 

 Inflorescence dense. 



Spikes produced direct from the rhizome on a 



short peduncle 9. Thaumatococcus. 



Spikes lateral from a long petiole . . .10. Phkynil'M. 

 Spikes usually terminal from a leafy stem (in 



Tropical African species) . . . .11. Calathea. 



Teibe IIL Canneae. — Stamen 1; anther 1-celled; ovules many; embryo 

 straight. 



The only genus .....•• 12. Canna. 



