1 96 Lythrariecz Cuphea. 



the throat of the calyx-tube. Capsule free, 2-celled, included 

 in the calyx. There are nearly one hundred species, natives of 

 tropical and sub-tropical America. Name from KU^OS, curved, 

 referring to the form of the calyx and seed-vessel in some 

 species. 



1. G. ignea, syn, G. platycentra of gardens. This is the 

 species commonly grown, having nearly glabrous lanceolate 

 leaves and apetalous bright scarlet flowers with a black and 

 white little-expanded limb. It is a perennial species from 

 Mexico. 



G. viscosissima is a viscid annual with dull purple petals 

 and a green calyx-tube ; JG. silenoldes with the general ap- 

 pearance of a Silene has purple unequal petals and calyx ; 

 G. strigillosa is a perennial with hairy cordate leaves, orange 

 calyx-tube, and 2 small purple petals ; G. Jorullensis, syn. 

 G. eminens, is a very handsome species with glabrous linear- 

 lanceolate leaves and large apetalous orange and red flowers. 



2. LYTHRUM. 



Herbs or undershrubs with 4-angled stems. Leaves opposite 

 or whorled, entire. Flowers in the axil of the upper leaves, 

 cymose or solitary. Calyx-tube costate, straight, equal at the 

 base, 4- to 6-toothed, with an equal number of secondary ones. 

 Petals 4 or 6, large. Stamens 8 to 12, variable in differ- 

 ent individuals of the same species. Capsule 1- or 2-celled. 

 About twelve species are found in temperate and tropical 

 regions. The name is adapted from \v0pnv, gore, from the deep 

 red colour of the flowers. 



1. L. Salicaria. Purple Loosestrife. One of our most 

 showy native plants, growing in marshy places and on the 

 borders of rivulets. Stems about 3 or 4 feet high, the upper 

 portion clothed with rosy purple flowers. There are improved 

 varieties in cultivation, the best of which is that named roseum 

 superbum. 



ORDER XLVIL ONAGRAKIEJE. 



Annual or perennial herbs or shrubs. Leaves opposite and 

 alternate, usually entire. Flowers often showy, axillary and 

 solitary, or in terminal racemes or panicles. Calyx- tube adnate 

 to the ovary ; limb with usually 2 or 4 valvate large lobes. 



