WILLIS : PODOSTEMACEÆ 
:226 
ends and the margins of the flowering parts of the thallus usually 
deciduous. Floral buds closely sessile, usually as broad as long before 
the emergence of the spathe, often more or less prostrate on the 
thallus. Bracts usually 4-5, markedly helmet-shaped, in some forms 
with a tapering tip, keeled, thicker on upper side. Spathe tubular 
below, funnel-shaped above or altogether, opening irregularly at the 
tip. Pedicel about 2-5 mm. in flower, lengthening infruit to 6-40 mm. 
in different varieties. Flowers much as in D. Wallichii. Stamens 
equalling or exceeding ovary. Stigmas two, varying in length, equall- 
ing ovary or shorter. Capsule 8-ribbed, 
S.W. India and Ceylon. 
Even more than the preceding, this species, as here 
defined, probably represents an aggregate of species which 
may ultimately be divided into at least three, if not many 
more. On the other hand, I do not think that Beddome’s 
D. algæformis is separable from Wight’s D. sty losa, since the 
length of the styles is an extremely variable character, even 
on the same plant. Fitch’s drawing of Beddome’s plant is 
copied from one made by Wight’s native artist, and is 
inaccurate in certain points, notablj^ in placing the spathe at 
the top instead of at the base of the pedicel. The material 
at my disposal seems to group itself, partly geographically, 
into four or five sets of forms. Until all have been collected 
in many localities, and good material either examined on 
the spot or carefully preserved in alcohol, it will be unsafe 
to define the species more nearly, 
D. stylosa fucoides ; Podostemon algæformis, Trim, in 
Journ. Bot., 1885, p. 173, and in FI. Ceyl., III., p. 417 ; 
Dicræa algæformis, Warming, 1. c., II.; Podostemon 
fucoides, Willis MS. in herb. var. 
Thallus chocolate-coloured, Fucus-like, crisped or 
undulated, broad, branched, to 10 mm. wide and 10 cm, 
long, attached at base by a foot, and usually elsewhere by 
haptera or hairs. Stamens as long as ovary and stigmas. 
Stigmas shorter than ovary. Pedicel of fruit 6-8 mm. 
Ceylon, S.W. India (?). 
Mahaweli-ganga at Hakinda rapids, Willis ! Guru-oya at 
confluence with Hulu-ganga (tributary of Mahaweli), 
