204 



L oasece Men tzelia. 



seeds few or many. Named in honour of Gr. Mentzel, a German 

 botanist. 



1. M. aurea (fig. Ill), syn. Bartonia aurea. A very hand- 

 some Californian annual, better known under the latter name. 



It grows about 2 feet 

 high, with whitish 

 branches, hispid leaves, 

 and bright yellow 

 flowers. 



2. M. bartonioldesy 

 r syn. Eucnide and Mi- 

 crosp erma. Very n ear 

 the preceding, but with 

 smaller yellow flowers. 



2. LOASA. 

 (Including Caiojohbra.') 



Erect climbing or 

 prostrate herbs with 

 hispid stinging hairs. 

 Leaves alternate or op- 

 posite, simple or com- 

 pound. Petals 5, hooded, 

 spreading or erect, con- 

 nivent, alternating with 

 the same number of 

 scales, having 2 or 3 

 bristles on the back, and 

 an appendage at the 

 base. Stamens in 

 phalanges opposite the petals, staminodes filiform, two opposite 

 each scale. Capsule 1 -celled, 3- to 5-valved, rarely twisted ; 

 seeds numerous. There are about fifty species, all South 

 American. Named in honour of a Spanish botanist. 



1. L. aurantlaca, syn. Caiophora laterltia. A perennial 

 of climbing habit with elegantly lobed leaves and orange and 

 brick-red solitary flowers of very curious structure. The only 

 objection to this and allied species is the presence of stinging 

 hairs on all parts of the plant, which are equally painful with 

 those of the common Nettle. A native of Chili, usually treated 

 as an annual. 



L. acanthifdiia, syn. L. Placei, has yellow and red flowers 



Fig. 111. Mentzelia aurea. (J nat. eize.) 



