342 



ORDER CXVI. HYDROLEACEiE. 



Calyx usually 5-parted, lobes equal, often spathulately dilated 

 at the apex, persistent : corolla monopetalous, usually campanu- 

 late, 5-lobed : stamens inserted on the corolla, alternate with its 

 lobes, incluse or exserted : ovary 2-celled, placentae axile, co- 

 vered with numerous minute amphitropal ovules : styles two : 

 stigmata thickened or capitate : carpels 2-celled, 2-valved, de- 

 hiscence marginal, bearing on each side a spongy placenta : 

 seeds sessile on the placentae, very numerous : albumen fleshy, 

 embryo straight. — Herbaceous annuals : stems straight or dif- 

 fuse, glabrous, pubescent or hispid, rarely exceeding two feet 

 in length : leaves simple, alternate, entire or dentate, often pe-^ 

 tioled : flowers corymbose or spicate, sometimes scorpioid, 



GENUS I. HTDROLEA. 

 Pentandria Digynia. Sex: Syst: 



Deriv. From Hydor, water, and Eleia, oil ; alluding to the 

 situation and nature of the plant. 



Gen. Chab. Sepals five, persistent : corolla rotate-campanu- 

 late : stamens inserted on the tube : stigmas depresso-capitate : 

 capsule globose or ovate : placentae terete, fdngose. 



(1) H. Zetlanica. {_Vahl.) 



Mint. Vahl. Symb. 11. p. 46.— Dec. prod. X. p. 180. 



Syn. Nama Zeylanica, Linn. ' 



Engrav. Wight's Icon. t. 601 . — Hook. Comp. Bot. Mag. II. 

 t. 26.— Rheede Mai. X. t. 28. 



Spec. Char. Stem herbaceous, glabrous : leaves lanceolate, 

 attenuated at both ends, glabrous, acute : panicles axillary, branch- 

 ed, leafy : sepals lanceolate-linear, acute, bristly pubescent at the 

 base : flowers blue : capsule glabrous. 



Borders of tanks and other wet places in most parts of India, 

 flowering in the cold season. 



