144 



FLORA OF JAMAICA 



Oomphrena 



An erect annual. Leaves oblong-elliptical, -2-8 cm. 1., petioles short, 

 semiamplexicaul. Flower-heads globose, 2-3 cm. 1., terminal, usually 

 solitary, with two leaves at the base. Flowers purplish, sometimes rose or 

 silvery- white, 7 mm. 1., enclosed by the bracteoles. 



11. IRESINE L. . 



Erect herbs. Leaves opposite, entire or serrulate. Flowers 

 minute, polygamous or dicecious, in clusters along the branches 

 of a panicle (in Jamaican species). Perianth with 5 segments, 

 in the female flower encircled by, and at length enveloped in 



Fig. 48. — Iresiiu elatior L. C. Rich. 



A, Portion of inflorescence and leaf. C, Flower opened out, and with 



B, Flower with bract and bracteoles. perianth-segment removed. 



D, Fruit cut lengthwise ; e, cotyledons ; r, radicle ; e, endosperm. 



wool. Stamens 5 ; filaments united by a short cup at the base, 

 with or without alternating staminodes ; anthers 1 -celled. Ovary 

 with 2 stigmas, rarely 3 ; with one ovule at the end of a long 

 stalk. Utricle compressed-roundish. Seed with annular embryo. 

 Species about 20, natives of tropical and subtropical America 

 (incl. West Indies) and Africa. 



Spikes sessile, golden-yellow or white 1. I . paniculate. 



Spikes shortly stalked, umber-buff 2. I. elatior. 



