1. STRELITZIA, Eauks. 



Spathes 1-leavcd, imbricated, coloured, the outermost em- 

 bracing all the others. Outer pcriantli-segments coloured, 

 almost 2-lippcd, the lower boat-shaped ; inner irregular, em- 

 bracing the stamens, the lateral semi-sagittate, acuminate, 

 innermost ovate, short. Stamens 5 ; filaments filiform, inserted 

 at the base of the perianth ; anthers linear. Stigmas 8. Cap- 

 sule Svalved, with numerous seeds in the inner angle of each 

 cell. Seeds globose, with a tufted aril ; albumen farinaceous. 

 —End. Gen, n. 1649. 



A noble genus of stemloss plants, — named in honour of Queen Charlotte 

 (wife of George the Third), who, during her residence at Kew, zealously- 

 fostered the botanical collections of the Eoyal Gardens, — with broad or 

 narrow long petiole, often glaucous leaves, and tall scapes bearing brilliant 

 orange and blue or white flowers, opening in succession from leafy bracts; 

 the whole resembling a gaudily-coloured crested bird'shead. — 4 oro species, 

 natives chiefly of the districts of George and Swellendam. 



