LIMNANTHEMUM.] GENTIANACE&* 79 



or clusters at the nodes, or on the apparent petiole close below the 

 leaf -blade. Calyx 4 7 -partite, lobes lanceolate or oblong. Corolla 

 subrotate, 4-7-partite ; lobes induplicate-valvate in bud, usually hairy 

 or with a median crest margins fimhriate or naked. Stamens 4-7, 

 on the corolla-tube, filaments short, anthers versatile. Ovary 1-celled, 

 placentas not intruded, style long or short, stigma 2-lobed. Capsule 

 indehiscent or bursting irregularly. Seeds winged or not, smooth or 

 tubeculate. Species about 20, in tropical or temperate regions of 

 the world. 



Corolla-lobes glabrous, with a longitudinal 

 crest down the middle, seeds smooth . 1. L. cristatum. 



Corolla-lobes densely papillose, not crested 

 down the middle, seeds scabrous . . 2. L. indicum. 



1. L. cristatum, Gris b. in DC. Prod, ix, 139 ; F. B. L iv, 131 : Waft E. 

 D.; Prain Beng. Pi. 709 ; Cooke Fl. Bomb, ii, 195. Menyanthes ciistata - 

 Roxb.; Fl. Indi, 459. Villarsia cristata, Sprfng- ; Royle III, 277. Vern. 

 Chuli. 



A smaller plant than L. indicvm, and with shorter and more slender 

 etiole like branches. Rhizome short, erect. Floating leaves 2-4 in. in 

 diam., purplish and with green veins beneath ; petioles 3-l in. long. 

 Flowers white, pedicels f ~2, in. long. Calyx-lobes obtuse. Corolla in. 

 in diam. ; lobes in. long, obovate, glabrous, with a broad longitudinal 

 crest down the middle of each. Capsule % in. long. Seeds strongly 

 muri culate. 



Very common within the area in ponds and ditches, flowering throughout 

 the summer months. DISTBIB. Throughout India and in Ceylon, 

 extending to China, Malaya and the Philippines. The stems, leaves and 

 fruits are often eaten in certain parts of India more particularly in 

 times of famine. 



2, L. indicum, TTiwaites Envm. 205 ; F. B. L iv, 131 ; Train Beng. PL 

 709 ; Coolte Fl. Bomb, ii, 195. Menyanthes indica, Linn.; Roxb. Fl. In 

 i,460. Villareia indica, Vent.; Royle III, 277 Vern. Bara chuli. 

 Rhizome horizontal or oblique; branches from the axils of sheathing 



membranous scales, petiole-like, each on reaching the surface of the 

 water producing from a swollen node near the apex a tuft of roots, 

 a cluster of flowers, a single floating leaf and a branch eapable of 

 repeating the formation of other flowers and leaves. Floating leaves 

 fleshy, 3-12 in. in diam., orbicular, cordate, the basal lobes obtuse, 

 margins more or less sinuate, green beneath ; petioles stout, in. long. 

 Flowers in clusters, appearing above the surface of the water between the 

 basal-lobes of the leaves ; pedicels 2-5 in. long. Calyx 5-6-partite; 

 lobes in. long, oblong, Bubacute. Corolla 1 in. across, white with a 

 yellow centre ; lobes usually 6, oblorg, obtuse, ? in. long, clothed inside 

 w\th long cottony hairs, but not crested down the middle. Capsule - 

 n. in diam., subglobose. Seeds many, obovate, smooth. 



