8 Listera conxallarioides. 



Plant about a span high. Root consisting of several fleshy pal- 

 mate divisions of an ochre-yellow colour. Stem simple, erect, bifoli- 

 ate, somewhat quadrangular, purple or carmine-red, sheathing at 

 base; sheaths whitish, tipped with umber-brown, from two to three 

 in number. Spike terminal, having a viscous pubescence of red 

 hairs, reddish below, green towards the apex, bearing ten, twelve or 

 fourteen flowers, garnished with minute, ovate bracts. Leaves op- 

 posite, sometimes, though rarely, alternate, ovate, sub-acute, (not in 

 the least cordate, though they appear so,) three-nerved, smooth and 

 shining, somewhat paler underneath than above, the margin at the 

 base decurrent along the angles of the stem, three-nerved, pellucid. 

 Specimens occasionally occur with broad lanceolate leaves. Calix 

 yellowish-green, with purple stripes. Petals five, generally reflect- 

 ed, the three exterior ovate, hollowed ; the two interior longer and 

 convoluted. Lip from a quarter to half an inch long, divided nearly 

 to its base, with two linear-acute segments, having the margin be- 

 low reflected. In the point of separation of the lip, a small tooth is 

 generally perceptible, but in many specimens it is wanting. An- 

 ther persistent. Capsule ovate, membranaceous. Grows in shady 

 bogs of rich soil. Rare. In an extensive morass, shaded by a deep 

 pine wood, in Jersey, about two miles south-east of Philadelphia, it 

 grows abundantly, though it is likely to be overlooked from its in- 

 conspicuous character. 



The genus Listera was established on the characters given at the 



