GLOBBA. 
The genus Globba was erroneously placed by Willdenow in the class Diandria, ( Sp. Pl. i. 153,) 
although both by its natural order and systematic arrangement it agrees with Monandria and the tribe 
of true Scitamineze, to which it makes a very curious, though not a numerous, addition. This error was 
rectified by Sir James E. Smith, in his Exotic Botany, vol. ii. p. 85. 
“The individuals of this family,” says Dr. Roxburgh, “are all herbaceous; of rather small size, 
(their stems and inflorescence together rarely exceed three feet in height,) and perish down to the root 
about the month of November. Their leaves lanceolar, (tapering equally at each end 3) or lanceolate, 
(tapering from or near the base 3) nearly smooth, and tapering into longer and finer points than any 
other of the order. In all the species here noted, the inflorescence is terminal, except in the last, (Globba 
saltatoria of the present work.) The prevailing colour of the flowers yellow; and the ip or wing of the 
filament (as in the whole of the order,) the brightest and most ornamental part. The Jjilament is 
particularly long, very slender, and much incurved. Anther double, variously appendaged, or naked. The 
style uncommonly slender; sometimes it passes along a groove in the inside of the filament to the anther ; 
sometimes it takes a straight, and more direct course, but always passes between its lobes. The stigma 
funnel shaped. The capsule oval, generally fleshy and tubercled, one celled, three valved, Opening from 
the apex. Seeds many, attached to three parietal receptacles, by the intervention of a thick, spongy, 
umbilical cord, resembling a small aril.” It may also be observed, that in this genus the seeds are 
frequently supplanted by the introduction of granulated viviparous bulbs, particularly in Globba marantina. 
Dr. Roxburgh has enumerated six species of Globba, including therein the Hura siamensium of Keenig 
and Retz, a plant which has long held Exotic Botanists in suspense, and to which he has given the 
name of Globba hura. 
