Amarantus,'] amarantacejE. 285 



Hongkong, Hance (a loose specimen with those of A. apmosua). A common tropical and 

 subtropical weed both in the New and the Old World. 



3. ACHYRANTHES, Linn. 



Perianth usually glabrous, ot 5 slightly unequal segments, hardened after 

 floweiing, with 1 subulate almost spinous bracteole on each side. Stamens 

 5, united in a cup at the base, with as many small scales between them. An- 

 thers 2-celled. Ovule solitary. Style simple, with a capitate stigma. Em- 

 bryo coiled round the albumen. — Herbs. Leaves opposite. Flowers green, 

 or rarely scarious, reflexed, in terminal spikes or rarely heads. 



A tropical or subtropical genus, widely spread over the Old World, or as introduced weeds 

 in America. 



1. A. aspera, Linn.; Moq. in DC. Prod. xiii. part ii. 314, var. obtusi- 

 folia; Wight, Ic. t. ITJl. An erect or spreading annual or biennial, with a 

 hard almost woody base, more or less hoary with a soft pubescence. Leaves 

 shortly stalked, ovate or orbicular, 1 to 1| in. long, usually in this variety 

 obtuse or very shortly pointed. Elowers of a shining almost silvery green, in 

 long slender terminal spikes. Perianth IJ to near 3 lines long, closely re- 

 flexed after flowering; the 3 subulate rigid bracteoles nearly as long,. and sca- 

 rious at the base only. 



In waste places, C/iampion, Sance. A very common and troublesome weed in tropical 

 and, subtropical Asia and Africa, and some parts of America. The variety with acuminate 

 leaves (A. argenlea. Lam.) correctly restored to the A. aspera by Grisebach, occurs on the 

 Chinese coast, but I have seen no specimens from Hongkong. 



4. CYATHTJLA, Lour. 



Habit, inflorescence, and flowers of Achyranthes, except that on each pe- 

 dicel, besides 1 or sometimes 3 perfect perianths, there is on each side a 

 cluster of stiff hooked bristles, slightly dilated at the base, consisting of bracts 

 and abortive perianth-segments. 



A small tropical genus, common to the- New and the Old World. 



1. C. prostrata, Blume ; Moq. in DC. Prod. sin. part \\.Z^^. A slen- 

 der perennial, more or less hoary or softly pubescent, procumbent and rooting 

 at the lower nodes, ascending to a foot or more. Leaves very shortly stalked, 

 ovate, obtuse or shortly acuminate, iTio 1^ in. long. Flowers small, green, 

 pubescent, reflexed, on very short pedicels, in long slender terminal racemes. 

 Perianth about 1|- lines long, the clusters of hooks rather shorter. — Desmo- 

 chteta prostrata, DC; Wight, Ic. t. 733. 



On roadsides, Hance, Wilford, Wright. Dispersed over tropical America, Africa, Asia, 

 and the Pacific islands. 



B. ALTERNANTHBBA, Br. 



Perianth of 5 nearly equal scarious segments, not enveloped in wooL Sta- 

 mens 5 or sometimes fewer, very shortly united at the base. Anthers 1 -celled. 

 Ovule solitary. Style short or scarcely any, with a capitate stigma. Utricle 

 usually flattened, ovate or obcordate, indehiscent. — Herbs. Leaves opposite. 

 Flowers in sessile axillary or terminal clusters or heads. 



A considerable genus, widely spread over the tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. 



