348 Contributions towards a Flora of Ceylon. 



SARCANDRA. Genus Novum. 

 (Ord. Nat. Chloranthace,e.) 



Char. Gen. — Flores hermaphroditi, laxe spicati, singuli 

 intra bracteum navicularem sessiles, Stamen 1, ovario supra 

 basim antice insertum; filamenta incrassata, cylindrica; 

 Anther a biloculari, loculis introrsis, apice approximatis, basi 

 distantibus, longitudinaliter dehiscentibus. Ovarium ovatum, 

 uniloculare. Ovulum pendulum, orthotropum. Stigma sessile, 

 subcapitato-depressum. Drupa monosperma, staminis cica- 

 trice gibbosa; putamine tenui, fragile. Semen pendulum, 

 testa membranacea. Embryo antitropus, in apice albuminis 



carnosi inclusus ; radicula infra. Suffrutex Ceylanica t 



chloranthi facie ; ramis nodoso-articularibus, foliis oppositis 9 

 petrolatis, penniveniis grossi glanduloso-serratis, petrolis basi 

 in vaginam brevem amplexicaulem combinatis, spicis termi- 

 nalibus, simplieibus. 



I Sarcandra Chloranthoides. 



Hab. — In dense virgin forests in the Central Province. 

 Fl. in May and June. 



Descr. — Suffruticose, glabrous, about 3 feet high. Stem and 

 branches round, with tumid joints. Leaves opposite, from 4-6 inches 

 long, and about 2 broad, elliptic-lanceolate, much accuminated, 

 caveate at the base, coarsely glandular — serrated from below the 

 middle, green and shining above, paler and opaque beneath. Petioles 

 short, combined at the base along with the interfolious stipules into 

 a membranous sheath, which has two setaceous teeth on each side. 

 Spikes terminal, simple, shorter than the leaves, smooth; rachis 

 striated. Flowers alternate, sessile in the axils of ovate acute bracts 

 which are about equal in length to the ovary. Floral envelopes none. 

 Stamen 1, inserted on the middle of the anterior face of the ovary, 

 of a brownish colour. Filament very much thickened, cylindrical: 

 anther two-celled, cells bursting inwardly, approaching at the apex, 

 but separated below by the fleshy connective, slightly incurved. Pollen 

 globose, yellow. Style none. Stigma sessile, capitate, depressed. 

 Ovary ovate 1 -celled with a solitary pendulous orthotropous ovule. 



