68 Oplotheca Floridana. 



conspicuous mid-rib of a carmine-red colour, the under surface cover- 

 ed with a long sericeous pubescence. Inflorescence a naked, simple 

 panicle, supporting numerous, short, remote, sessile, opposite spikes. 

 Flowers inconspicuous and confused, imbricated and whitish. Calix 

 double ; the exterior consists of transparent membranaceous scales, 

 abruptly terminated with a notch in the middle of the truncation ; the 

 interior is covered with the flocculent appendage like common cot- 

 ton, which finally invests and conceals the whole spike. Flowering 

 time, July. 



Grows on the Banks of the Altamaha, Florida— Dr. Baldwin. On 

 the sandy beach of the Arkansa — Mr. Nuttall. 



The genus of which the only detected North American species is 

 here figured, was named by Mr. Nuttall, from two Greek words, .***,, 

 armour, and $*«», a sheath, in allusion to the seed being protected in 

 an armed sheath. It is sufficiently hardy to stand in borders, where it 

 thrives without particular care, as was the case with the fine speci- 

 mens from which the drawing was made last summer, raised from 

 seeds of Mr. Nuttall. 



The table represents the top of the plant, of its natural size, in 

 flower, separated from the middle portion, which exhibits the leaves 

 and pubescent stem. 



