 THALIA GENICULATA. 
MONANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
SECT. I. CANNE. 
Gey. Cuarn—Anther single, attached by a subulate process to the margin of the filament, or upper lip of 
the corolla; style tubular, revolute ; stigma appendiculate; seed single. 
Srec. Coar.—Stem jointed, ramose; leaves lanceolate-acute, ineequilateral, midrib oblique; flowers in panicles, 
on long zig-zag foot-stalks ; floral bractes of two unequal scales, permanent, each enclosing two 
flowers and two seeds. 
Syy.—Thalia geniculata. Lin. Willd. i. 15. 
Thalia geniculata. Sir J. E. Smith, in Rees’ Cyclop. 
Thalia geniculata. Roemer & Schultes, i. 17. 
Thalia geniculata. Sprengel Syst. V. v.i. p. 8. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Plant from 4 to 6 feet high, rising with several strong fruticose stems, jointed at the divisions of the 
branches, and furnished at each joint with several long, erect, permanent spear-shaped bractes; leaves from one 
to two feet long, lanceolate-acute, terminating in an oblique irregular point, towards which the mid-rib makes 
a sudden turn; petioles about half the length of the leaf, with a short swelled ganglion next the leaf; flowers 
in fascicles; pedicels in a zig-zag form, having a floral bracte at every joint, of two irregular scales, each 
including two florets, with irregular partial bractes, inferior, permanent ; calyx none, except a ring of scattered 
bristles or hairs surrounding the base of the corolla; corolla monopetalous, with a double limb; outer limb in 
three nearly equal, ovate sections, white, finely striated with oblong, viclet spots; inner limb in two lips; upper 
lip erect, ovate, hooded, united towards the base with the proper filament, which disengages itself above, and 
supports the anther; lower lip larger, ovate, crenulate, violet colour; style connate with the tube of the corolla, 
longer than the filament, tubular, revolute; stigma ringent, extending below the mouth into a long, flat, membranous 
appendage, slightly notched at the apex; seed a regular, ovate, hard berry, the albumen of which is pierced 
with cavities for the embryo, in the same manner as T. dealbata. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
The difficulties which have attended the investigation of this plant have given it a degree of interest 
which would scarcely have been conceded to it, on account of either its beauty or its utility. To examine 
the plant in a living state, has fallen to the lot of but few botanists. 
For the present specimen we are indebted to the kindness of Charles S. Parker, Esq. who, amongst 
other plants, either new or of considerable rarity, given in this work, has favoured us with specimens of this 
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plant, the spikes flowers and fruit being preserved in spirits, so as to admit of the most full and satisfactory 
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examination. From these the present figure and description are given; and as the seeds brought by Mr. Parker 
have already vegetated in the Botanic Garden at Liverpool, we hope shortly to be afforded an opportunity 
of correcting any errors, or supplying any deficiencies, in our present description. 
As a genus this plant is immediately distinguished from Maranta and Phrynium by its very peculiar stigma, 
consisting of a long appendage or membrane, protruding from the mouth of the stigma, and generally lying 
opposite to, and receiving the pollen from, the anther; and also by its single, regular, ovate, perforated seed. 
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