2 PL UMBA GIN ACE ^E. [ VOGELIA, 



above into 5 stigmatose branches. Capsule membranous, circum- 



sciss near the base, often splitting upwards into 5 valves.- Species 10, 



in tbe warmer regions of both hemispheres. 

 P. zeylanica, Linn. 8p. PI. 151 ; Roxb. Fl. Ind. i, 462 ; Royle III. 311 ; 



F. B. I. Hi, 480 ; Watt E. D. ; Collet t Fl. Siml. 295 ; Pram Beng. PI. 639 ; 



Cooke FL Bomb, ii, 75. Vern. Chitra. 



A rambling subscandent perennial herb. Stem somewhat woody, striate , 

 glabrous. Leaves shortly petioled, H-4 in. long, ovate, acute, entire, 

 thin, glabrous, often glaucous beneath, suddenly narrowed at the base, 

 lower portion of the petiole dilated and often furnished with stipule-like 

 auricles. Flowers in long spike-like racemes, the rachia glandular, 

 striate ; bracteoles much shorter than the calyx, ovate, acuminate. 

 Calyx about ^ in. long, narrowly tubular, 5-ribbed, densely covered 

 with spreading stalked crimson glands; teeth very short. Corolla 

 with salver-shaped slender tube f-1 in. long, white, lobes apiculate. 

 Filaments equalling the corolla-tube ; anthers slightly exserted. Cap- 

 sule enclosed within the persistent calyx, oblong, pointed, pericarp 

 thickened above. Seeds oblong. 



Extensively cultivated within the arei, and in many places apparently 

 wild. D IST BIB. : Throughout the hotter parts of India, and in tropical 

 regions of the Old World. The medicinal properties of the root of this 

 plant are well known to Indian practitioners. 



Two other species of Plumbago are much cultivated in gardens as orna- 

 mental plants. P. rosea, L. with scarlet flowers, is a native of Sikkim and 

 the Khasia Hills. Except in the colour of the flowers it very mnch 

 resembles P. zeylanica, and it possesses similar medicinal properties. 

 P. capensis, Thunb., a native of South Africa, has pale blue flowers, 

 and the leaves are arranged in whirls. 



VOGrELTA Lamk. ; PL Brit. Ind. iii, 481. 



Small shrubs, more or less civered with scales. Branches long. 

 Leaves alternate, entire. Flower* in terminal panicled spikes j 

 bracts and bracteoles small. Calyx deeply 5-fid., with 5 broad 

 transversely undulate wings between the ribs, not glandular, 

 Corolla-tube oylindric ; lobes 5, round, spreading. Stamens free; 

 filaments linear, their bases shortly dilated. Ovary oblong-fusi- 

 form, somewhat pentagonal ; style filiform, ita 5 branches ^ stig- 

 matose throughout. Capsule included in the calyx, circumsciss at 

 the very base, finally splitting upwards into 5 valves. Species 3, one 

 in S. Africa, the other two Arabian, one of which extends to India. 



V. indica, Gibs, ex Wight in Calc. Journ. Nat. Hist, vii, 17 ; F. B. I.ii, 

 491 S Brvndis Ind. Trees 418 ; Gamble Man. 436 ; Cooke Fl. Bomb, ii, 79. 



