VERBBNACEAB 299 



cells 1-ovuled. Fruit included in the calyx, of 2, hard, elongated, l-seeded 

 pyrenes. (Greek "spike" and "thick.") 



Species about 40 in tropical and subtropical America, 1 now widely 

 spread in most tropical countries. 



1. S. JAMAiCENSis (L.) Vahl (S. indica Vahl). 



An erect, branched suffrutescent herb 1 to 1.5 m high, the stems 

 terete, or the younger ones slightly angled. Leaves elliptic to oblong* 

 ovate, acute, base decurrent on the petioles, 2.5 to 10 cm long, serrate, 

 prominently reticulate. Spikes terminal, rather slender, 10 to 30 cm long, 

 3 to 4 mm thick, green, continuous. Calyx small, oblique, 4-toothed, the 

 bracts lanceolate. Corolla deep-blue, about 1 cm long. Fruit enclosed in 

 the calyx, closely appressed to and somewhat sunk in the-rachis, oblong, 

 smooth, about 4 mm long. 



Common in waste places, borders of thickets, etc., fl. all the year; 

 throughout the Philippines. A native of tropical America, now found 

 in most tropical countries. 



5. OURANTA Linnaeus 



Erect, unarmed or spiny shrubs, with opposite or verticillate, toothed 

 or entire leaves which are punctate beneath, the flowers blue or purplish, 

 racemose, the racemes axillary or in terminal panicles. Calyx 5-toothed. 

 Corolla somewhat salver-shaped, the tube longer than the calyx, the limb 

 6-fid, spreading, the lobes unequal, rounded. Stamens 4, in 2 pairs, in- 

 cluded, the filaments short, inserted on the middle of the corolla-tube. 

 Ovary 8-celled, cells 1-ovuled. Fruit fleshy, containing four 2-celled 

 pyrenes. (In honor of C. Durante, an. early Italian botanist.) 



Species about 4, of tropical . America, one introduced and cultivated in 

 Manila. 



*!. D. REFENS L. (D. plumieri Jacq.). 



An unarmed, glabrous, erect shrub 2 to 3 m high, the branches often 

 drooping. Leaves obovate-elliptic, 3 to 6 cm long, apex acute or rounded, 

 base cuneate, margins toothed above the middle. Racemes axillary and 

 forming terminal panicles, spreading, slender, up to 12. cm long, the 

 flowers mostly on one side of the rachis. Flowers purplish-blue, about 

 1 cm long, the limb about 1 cm wide. Fruits fleshy, ovoid, yellowish- 

 green, 7 to 8 mm long. 



At present rare in cultivation, fl. all the year; introduced before 1880 

 from tropical America. 



6. PETRAEA Linnaeus 



Climbing shrubs, glabrous or pubescent, the leaves usually harsh. 

 Leaves opposite, entire, coriaceous. Flowers blue or purplish, in terminal 

 racemes. Calyx-tube short, with 6 spreading lobes which are persistent 

 and increase in length after flowering, the throat with 5 teeth alternat- 

 ing with the lobes. Corolla-tube short, cylindricy the limb oblique, 5-fid. 

 Stamens 4, in 2 pairs, included. Ovary 2-celled, cells 1-ovuled. Capsule 

 indehiscent, included in the persistent calyx-tube, 2- or 1-seeded. (Iii 

 honor of Lorifetre, an English patron of horticulture and botany.) 



Species about 12 in tropical |America, 1 introduced in the Philippines. 



