1212 
XCVIII. NYCTAGINEJL 
[Mirabilis. 
somewhat constricted above dilatation, upper part caducous. Stamens 5, 
unequal, even with or slightly longer than tube of perianth, alternating with its 
teeth; filaments l-delphous at base, sometimes connate in a short, thick, fleshy, 
disk-like tube, free above ; anthers short, 2-celled, laterally or subintrorsely 
rimose at margins. Ovary free above, surrounded at the base by a thin disk, 
1 -celled; style slender, recurved at apex; summit globose, divided into short, 
simple or slightly ramose, capitellate, stigmatiferous branches; ovule 1, sub- 
basilar, suberect, inserted in internal angle of the ovary, anatropous or 
sub-campylotropous ; micropyle anterior, inferior. Fruit (an achene or nearly a 
caryopsis) clothed with hardened 5-agonal base of the calyx and base of stamens ; 
internal albumen of suberect seed farinaceous ; cotyledons of incurvo-involute 
peripheral embryo incumbent, unequal (the interior smaller) ; radicle cylindro- 
conical, inferior. — Herbs. Roots usually tuberous-conical, stem and branches 
articulate at nodes ; leaves simple, opposite, exstipulate ; flowers crowded in 
cymes at ends of twigs (sometime 1 -parous) ; involucre (sometimes calyciform) 
formed of five large bracts connate at base, imbricate or subvalvate, 1 -flowered 
in Eumirabilis. Flowers articulate at base beyond involucre. — Baillons, Nat. 
Hist, of Plants iv. 18. 
1. XVI. jalapa (so named from its being at one time supposed to furnish the 
jalap of commerce), Linn; Choisy in DC. Prod. xiii. 2127. Marvel of Peru or 
Four-o’clock. Stems thick, subglabrous, dichotomously branched, arising 
annually from a thick tuberous rootstock. Leaves opposite, ovate, acute, petiolate, 
Flowers terminal, 3 to G together, red, white, yellow, or variegated, each enclosed 
in a calyx-like involucre with 5 long lanceolate teeth, a cylindrical perianth-tube 
1 to l-Jin. long, a spreading limb, lin. broad, with 5 round lobes, 5 stamens 
incurved at the tip with minute anthers, and an obovoid or sub-globose black 10- 
ribbed fruit, surrounded by the indurated base of the perianth. 
Hab.: This tropical American plant has become naturalised near settlements in several parts 
of Queensland. 
The juice of the leaves is applied to wounds and bruises ; boiled in water they are used as a 
stimulating poultice to boils and buboes ; the roots possess purgative properties ; the seeds are 
used to adulterate black pepper in India, according to Dr. Dymock. Although these seeds 
could be obtained in quantity in Queensland they are not likely to be applied for the latter 
purpose while grocers can obtain linseed meal. 
2. BOERHAAVIA, Linn. 
(After Hermann Boerliaave.) 
Flowers hermaphrodite. Upper portion of the perianth campanulate or 
funnel-shaped, truncate or plicate or very shortly 5-lobed, falling off after 
flowering, leaving the lower portion persistent and enclosing the ovary and fruit. 
Stamens 1 to 4, usually exserted. Stigma dilated peltate or oblique. Fruit 
completely enclosed in the somewhat hardened 5-ribbed base of the perianth. 
Embryo transversely folded at the base of the cotyledons. — Herbs usually 
perennial. Leave opposite. Flowers small, in little clusters or umbels on simple 
or branched axillary peduncles. Bracts and bracteoles very small. 
The genus is widely diffused over the tropical and subtropical regions of the New and the 
Old World. The Australian species are both Asiatic, one a common weed in Africa and Asia, 
the other perhaps confined to Asia ; both, however, require further comparison with some of the 
American species. 
Leaves orbicular or ovate to narrow-lanceolate. Deciduous portion of the 
perianth campanulate, not exceeding 1 line 1. B. dijusa. 
Leaves cordate-ovate to lanceolate. Deciduous portion of the perianth 3 to 4 
lines long, funnel-shaped, with a narrow tube 2. B. repanda. 
1. B. diffusa (diffuse), Linn. Chois, in DC. Prod. xiii. ii. 452 ; Benth. FI. 
Anstr. v. 277. “ Koo-jo,” Cloncurry, Both; “ Goitcho "Palmer. A perennial 
with procumbent diffuse or ascending stems extending sometimes to several feet, 
