MELASTOMACEjE. 43 



I. Spennera aquatica. Marsh Spennera. 



Stem branched, branches quadrangular sub- 

 pilose, leaves cordate ovato-oblong acuminate ser- 

 rulated 3-nerved besides the marginal pair, gla- 

 brous above, appresso-subpilose along the nerves 

 beneath, divisions of the panicle elongated fili- 

 form lax, capsule 3-celled. 



Melastoma aquatica, Auhl. Guian. 430. t. 169. — Swartz 

 Prodr. 73. — Rhexia aquatica, Swartz. Fl. Ind. Occ. LI 

 650. — Spennera aquatica, DC. Prod. III. 116. 



II A B Wet pastures. Moneague, Dr. Alexander. 



F L. Throughout the year. 



Shrubby, erect, 1-3 feet in height, slightly hispid : 

 branches tetragonal. Leaves opposite, peliolate, ovato-ob- 

 long, cordate, acuminate, 3 nerved besides the marginal 

 pair, glabrous above, appresso-pubescent along the nerves 

 beneath. Panicle terminal : branches filiform, purplish, 

 loose, 3-chotomously divided : pedicels nearly an inch 

 in length, filiform, jointed about a line from the flower, 

 with a pair of minute bracteoles at the joint. Calyx 4- 

 rarely 5-toothed : teeth acute. Petals 4, rarely 5, oblong, 

 acute, shorter than the stamens. Stamens 8, rarely 10, pur- 

 ple. Style length of the stamens: stigma obtuse. Cap- 

 sule 3-celled, subglobose : seeds numerous, minute, ovoid. 



Tribe III. MicomEJE. 



Anthers 1-2-pored. Ovary adnate to the ca- 

 lyx. Fruit a berry. Seeds not cochleated. 



III. Clidemia. 



Calycine tube ovate, naked or rarely bibracteo- 

 lated ; lobes persistent, narrow, acute. Petals 

 5, very rarely 6. Stamens 10, with the anthers 

 constricted and sub-biauriculated at the base, 

 one-pored at the apex. Ovary adnate to the 

 calyx, crowned with setae, frequently arranged in 

 a circular manner. Style filiform. Stigma a 

 pruinose point. Capsule berried, 5-celled. Seeds 

 ovate or somewhat angular. 



