K/EMPFERIA MARGINATA. 
MONANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
SECT. II. SCITAMINE®. 
Gey. Cuar.—Anther double; filament extended beyond the anther ; apex two-lobed. 
Spxc. Cuar.—Spike central; leaves broad-ovate, margin coloured, glaucous and downy below; filament two-lobed, 
lobes obtuse, emarginate; inner limb of the corolla, lateral segments cordate, lip broad-ovate, 
two-lobed, lobes bifid, emarginate. 
Syv.—Keempferia marginata, Carey, MS. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Root composed of numerous round or oblong fleshy tubers, with dependant fibres; stems short ; leaves radical, 
bifarious, seldom more than two from the same crown, spreading flat on the surface of the earth, light green on 
the upper surface, glaucous and villous below, surrounded by a membranous purple margin, and tinged with the 
same colour towards the apex below, 6 inches long, 5 broad, with longitudinal nerves about half an inch distant ; 
Jlowers in fascicles of 6-8, rising in succession from the centre of the plant ; common bracte broad-lanceolate, 
green, acute, and coloured at the point; partial bracte narrow-lanceolate, membranous ; calyx superior, sheathing 
the tube of the corolla half its length, opening obliquely, white; tube of the corolla upwards of an inch long, 
terminating in a double border; exterior border in three sections, long, lanceolate, equal, reflexed, pure white ; 
interior border in three segments ; lateral segments heart-shaped, erect, purple, on a short white claw ; middle segment 
or lip in two deep lobes, each lobe broad-ovate, bifid, or emarginate, bright purple, with a darker shade at the base ; 
Jilament extending beyond the anther, and terminating in a two-lobed apex or crest, each lobe slightly bifid, or 
truncate, purple; style filiform, with two long, erect processes at the base; stigma funnel-shaped, finely ciliated 
round the margin. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
This new and beautiful species of Keempferia, was sent from India to the Botanic Garden, in Liverpool, 
by Dr. Witi1am Caney, in 1822, and flowered soon after its arrival The medical properties of its strongly- 
scented tuberous roots, are yet unknown. 
REFERENCES. 
1. Tube and outer limb of the corolla, filament, and anther. 
2. i 
3: kscamens of inner border of the corolla. 
4. 
5. Style and processes at the base, and stigma. 
6. Common bracte. 
