Trianthema.\ FicoideCE. 269 



r. T. monogyna, L. Mont. 69 (1767). Hin-sarana, S. 



71 obcordata, Roxb., Thw. Enum. 23. C. P. 1102. 

 Fl. B. Ind. ii. 660. Wight, Ic. t. 288 (T. obcordata). 



A prostrate, somewhat succulent herb, stems rather 

 angular, glabrous or slightly pubescent, much branched ; L 

 obliquely opp., very unequal, the upper one larger, f-i in., 

 the lower smaller, \-\ in., obovate, tapering to base, rounded, 

 often apiculate at apex, petiole \ in., connate, very much 

 dilated and membranous at base, especially of the smaller 1. 

 which forms a deep triangular axillary pouch containing the 

 solitary sessile fl.; cal.-segm. ovate, acute; stam. 10-20; ov. 

 truncate, style simple; capsule small, almost concealed in the 

 stipular pouch, about 8-seeded, cap exserted, truncate, carrying 

 away with it 3 seeds ; seeds reniform, black, dull, muriculate. 



Low country, especially on the coast and in the dry region near tanks. 

 Colombo ; Kantalai ; Anuradhapura. 

 Throughout Tropical regions. 



2. T. triquetra.1 Rottl. and Willd. in Neue Schrift. Natur. Fr, 

 Berlin, iv. 181 (1S03). Chiruppadikkirai, T. 

 Fl. B. Ind. ii. 660 (T. crystallina). 



A diffuse herb with a woody rootstock, branches numerous, 

 prostrate, divaricate, covered with minute papillae; 1. opp, 

 or alt., §-§ in., linear or linear-lanceolate, obtuse, fleshy, 

 petiole short, sheathing; fl. sessile, numerous, several in an 

 axil, not enclosed in sheath of petiole ; cal.-tube thick, with 

 numerous slender ribs, segm. broad, triangular, acute, per- 

 sistent, folded over top of ripe capsule ; stam. 5; style simple; 

 fruit enclosed in cal.-tube, 2-seeded, cap flat but much de- 

 pressed in centre, carrying away with it one seed; seeds rather 

 large, strongly striate, dark brown. 



Yar. ft, Rottleri, Trim. T. crystallina, Thw. Enum. 23; Trim, 

 Syst. Cat. 39 (non Vahl). C. P. 3552. 



Less woody at base or quite herbaceous, branches more 

 slender, often tufted and congested ; 1. smaller, \- § in., less 

 fleshy; fl. smaller, 1 or 2 in an axil; cal.-segm. more shortly 

 triangular, less acute, not folded over top of ripe capsule. 



Dry region ; rather rare. The type only at Mantai, N. Prov. Var. /J 

 more common; Trincomalie ; Gunners' Quoin ; Batticaloa; Tissamaha- 

 rama ; Mannar. Fl. Nov.-Feb. 



Also in the dry regions of Afghanistan, Arabia, and India. 



I was inclined to consider these as distinct species, but Dr. Stapf, of 

 Kew, informs me that in that Herbarium there are connecting forms- 

 T. crystallina, Vahl, to which this is referred by Thwaites and in Fl. B. 

 Ind., is a quite different species from Arabia and Nubia only. 



Eaten in curries at Mannar. 



