MELASTOMACEiE. 
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, Aubl. Guian. 430. t. 1G9. — Swartz 
Prodr. 73. — Rhexia aquatica, Swartz. FI. Ind. Occ. II 
G50. — 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. mi comem. 
Anthers 1-2-pored. Ovary adnate to the ca- 
lvx. Fruit a berry. Seeds not cochleated. 
III. Clidemia. 
Calycine tube ovate, naked or rarely bibracteo- 
lated ; lobes persistent, narrow, acute. Petals 
5, very rarely 0. Stamens 10, with the anthers 
constricted and sub-biauriculated at the base, 
one-pored at the apex. Ovary adnate to the 
calyx, crowned with seta?, frequently arranged in 
a circular manner. Style filiform. Stigma a 
pruinose point. Capsule berried, 5-celled. Seeds 
ovate or somewhat angular. 
