xcm. acanthaceai. 
1143 
3. EBERMAIERA, Nees. 
(After Iv. H. Ebermaier, a German writer on medicinal plants). 
Calyx divided to the base into five segments, the upper one broader than the 
others. Corolla-lobes 5, nearly equal, the 2 upper ones outside in the bud. 
Stamens 4, in pairs, included in the corolla-tube; anthers ovate, transverse, 
2-celled. Ovules numerous ; stigmatic lobes of the style unequal. Capsule 
oblong-linear, not beaked, 2-celled from the base. Seeds numerous, very small, 
nearly globular ; retinacula reduced to minute papillae or quite inconspicuous. — - 
Herbs. Flowers small, sessile in the axils of the floral leaves or bracts, forming 
terminal dense or interrupted leafy or leafless spikes. 
The genus comprises a considerable number of species from tropical Asia and Africa, with a 
few American ones. The only Australian species is a common Asiatic one. 
1. S3, glauca (plant grey colored), Nees in DC. Prod. xi. 73; Benth. FI. 
Anstr. iv. 544. Stems at first simple and erect, at length diffuse prostrate or 
creeping and rooting at the nodes, with ascending or erect branches of ^ to 1ft., 
the whole plant slightly pubescent, the inflorescence often glandular. leaves 
oblong-lanceolate or elliptical, obtuse, narrowed into a petiole, 1 to 2in. long, the 
floral ones much smaller, mostly under iin. Flowers nearly sessile in the axils 
of the floral leaves, between 2 leafy bracteoles about as long as the calyx, 
forming rather long leafy spikes, terminal, or sometimes also in the axils of the 
upper stem leaves. Calyx upper segments lanceolate, 3 to 4 lines long, lower 
ones linear and rather shorter. Corolla-tube about as long as the calyx, slightly 
dilated upwards ; lobes short, obovate, obscurely 2-lipped. Capsule as long as 
the calyx. — T. Anders, in Journ. Linn. Soc. ix. 450 : Wight, Ic. t. 1 188. 
Hab.: Recorded for Q leensland by F. v. Mueller. Common in E. India and the Archipelago. 
4. HYGROPHILA, R. Br. 
(Found near water.) 
Calyx more or less deeply divided into 5 or rarely 4 lobes or segments. Corolla- 
limb 2-lipped, the upper lip 2-lobed, the lower 3-lobed, the lobes usually short 
and contorted in the bud. Stamens 4, in pairs, or in species not Australian only 
2 perfect ; anthers erect, the cells parallel and equal. Style subulate, with a 
small upper tooth. Ovules several in each cell of the ovary. Capsule oblong or 
linear, 2-celled from the bise. Seeds flat, retinacula hooked. — Erect or decum- 
bent herbs. Flowers sessile in axillary clusters. 
A small genus, widely distributed over the tropical and subtropical regions of the New and the 
Old World. The only Australian species is a common Asiatic one. 
H. salicifolia (willow-leaved), Nees in Wall. PI. As. P t ar. and in DC. Prod. 
xi. 92 ; Benth. FI. Austr. iv. 544. Stems erect or ascending, branched, from 
i to 1 Aft. high, glabrous or slightly pubescent with appressed hairs as well as 
the foliage. Leaves lanceolate or almost linear, contracted into a short petiole, 
3 or 4in. long in stout specimens, half that size in others. Flowers usually 2 or 
3 together in the axils of the stem-leaves, purple or pale blue (or yellow 
according to Dallach]/). Bracteoles concave, acute, usualy shorter than the 
calyx. Calyx pubescent, tubular, the lobes shorter than the entire part, the 2 
lower ones often more united. Corolla-tube scarcely exceeding the calyx, upper 
lip 2-lobed, the lower lip 3-lobed, convex, with 2 lines of hairs decurrent from 
the sinus, the lobes all nearly equal, slightly contorted or almost valvate in the 
bud. Stamens inserted near the top of the tube. Capsule linear, about |in. 
long. Seeds about 6 to 8 in each cell. — T. Anders, in Journ. Liiln. Soc. ix. 
45G, with the synonyms adduced ; Ruellia salicifolia, Vahl. Symb. iii. 84 ; 
Hygrophila anrjustifolia, R. Br. Prod. 479 ; Nees in DC. Prod. xi. 91. 
Hab.: Endeavour River, Banks and Solander, R. Brown; Rockingham Bay, Dallachy ; 
Broadsound, Bowman; Beddome Creek, Thozet ; Moreton Bay, IF. Hill. 
Paiit IV. i 
