Amorphophallw.] akoidejE. 343 



sessile, 2-celled. Ovaries distinct, 2-, 3-, or rarely 4-celled, with 1 erect ovule 

 in each cell. — Habit of Arum, except that the leaves are divided into 3 seg- 

 ments, which are again once or twice pinnately divided. Spadix often livid- 

 purple and very fetid. 



A small tropical Asiatic and perhaps African genus, lately split up almost to single species, 

 the following one being then excluded from it. 



1. A. variabilis, Blume, Rumphia, t. 35, 37 ; Kunth, Enum. iii. 33. 

 Petiole divided at the top into 3 pinna3 of 8 to 10 in., which are again once 

 or twice forked, bearing 8 to 12 or more segments of very unequal size, mostly 

 lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, and sessile, or decurreut on the 

 rhachis, the longest about 3 in. Spatha 4 to 5 in. long, obtusely acuminate 

 or obtuse (variously coloured), with longitudinal streaks. Ovaries densely 

 imbricated for about f in. at the base of the spadix, then stamens for about 

 1 in. ; the appendix rather thin, straight, about 3 in. long in the Hongkong 

 specimens (perhaps not full-grown), twice that as figured by Blume. — Brachy- 

 spatha variabilis, Schott, Prod. Aroid. 127. 

 Hongkong, Harland. Also Java, and perhaps Ceylon. 



4. COLOCASIA, Ray. 



Spatha of Arum. Spadix androgynous, with ovaries at the base, stamens 

 higher up, and barren organs in the interval and sometimes above the stamens 

 also, the appendix club-shaped. Stamens united several together in short trun- 

 cate or peltate masses, with the anthers laterally adnate. Ovaries 1 -celled 

 or partially 3-celled, with several ovules. — Herbs, with a tuberous and root- 

 like or . caulescent stock. Leaves usually large and glaucous, cordate, and 

 sometimes peltate. Spadix usually sweet-scented. 



A small genus limited to tropical Asia, unless where introduced by cultivation. 



Appendix of the spadix as long or longer than the flowering part. Auricles of 



the leaf divided to the petiole 1. C. indica. 



Appendix much shorter than the rest of the spadix. Auricles shortly united 



below the petiole . . . * 2. C. odora. 



1. C. indica, Kunth, Enum. iii. 39 ; Wight, Ic. t. 794. Leaves ovate- 

 cordate, attaining 2 or 3 ft. in length, the broadly ovate basal lobes or auricles 

 distinct to the petiole. Spatha 6 to 8 in. long or more when full-grown, of a 

 pale greenish-yellow, convolute at the base, the lamina oblong, obtuse or with 

 a short point. Spadix rather shorter, the flowers densely packed, the ovaries 

 occupying about 1 in. of the base, then about 1 in. of barren organs, and \\ 

 or 2 in. of stamens ; the appendix marked with reticulate furrows (indicating 

 abortive stamens ?), as long or longer than the rest of the spadix. — Alocasia 

 indica, Schott, Prod. Aroid. 144. 



Hongkong, Harland. A native of various parts of S. Asia, much cultivated for its suc- 

 culent stems and small tubers ; it may be doubtful whether the specimen may not have been 

 an escape from cultivation. 



• 2. C. odora, Brongn. ; Kunth, Enum. iii. 39; Wight, Ic. t. 797. Very 

 nearly allied to C. indica, but the leaves are usually slightly peltate, the auri- 

 cles being shortly connate below the insertion of the petiole ; the spadix is 

 shorter than the spatha, and the appendix very much shorter than the flower- 



