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OTIDIA laxa. 
Loose-panicled Otidia. 
O. laxa, umbellis multifloris laxe paniculatis, foliis 
pinnatis glabris; foliolis pinnatifidis incisisve; seg- 
mentis cuneatis planis apice eroso-dentatis, caule 
fruticoso carnoso, petalis subdentatis, tubo necta- 
rifero calyce reflexo parum breviori. 
Stem shrubby, succulent, not much branched, very 
rough and rugged, occasioned by the stipules and per- 
sistent bases of the petioles. Leaves smooth, pinnate, 
or at their termination pinnatifid ; leaflets pinnatifid or 
deeply incised, opposite or alternate, at a distance 
from each other ; segments wedge-shaped, flat, toothed 
at the point with very small teeth, and oftentimes 
larger ones nearer the base. Petioles very long, nearly 
round or slightly flattened on the upper side, clothed 
with a short powdery pubescence, as are the peduncles 
and caljrx. Stipules very short, wide at the base, but 
ending in an acute point, at last hardened and re- 
maining persistent. Flower-stalk long and slender 
very rigid and wiry, at last branching into a loose pa- 
nicle. Peduncles straight, cylindrical, bearing a close 
umbel of many flowers. Involucre of numerous short 
lanceolate bractes. Pedicles unequal in length, but 
longer than the nectariferous tube. Calyx S-cIeft, seg- 
ments lanceolate, acute, reflexed or revolute. Necta- 
riferous tube scarcely as long as the calyx, slightly 
flattened on each side, and gibbous at the base. Pe- 
tals 5, oblong, obtuse, generally toothed, the two 
upper ones rather the largest, eared above the base, 
reflexed, white, marked with pale lilac branched lines 
near the bottom ; lower petals concave, white. Fila- 
ments 10, united at the base, every other one bearing 
