XLIX. RUBIACEA3 233 
dric, ^ in., splitting from the top in 5 valves ; seeds 5, each 
enveloped in a loose, fibrous, netted covering. 
Simla; June- September. — Temperate Himalaya, 4000-10,000 ft. 
11. SPERMACOCE. From the Greek sperma, a seed, and 
acoce, a point ; probably referring to the sharp, persistent teeth of 
the calyx. — Tropical and subtropical regions. 
Erect or procumbent herbs ; stems and branches 4-angled. 
Leaves opposite, sessile ; stipules short, broad, united to the leaf- 
bases, fringed with long bristles. Flowers small, sessile in 
axillary, bracteate clusters. Calyx ovoid ; teeth usually 4, linear, 
persistent. Corolla funnel-shaped, 4-lobed. Stamens 4. Ovary 
2-celled ; style slender, stigma capitate or 2-lobed ; ovules solitary 
in each cell. Capsule dividing when ripe into two one-seeded, half- 
fruits, each ultimately dehiscent. 
Stems erect, prickly. Clusters usually globose, many-flowered 1. S. striata. 
Stems procumbent, hairy. Clusters 4-6-flowered . . . 2. S. hispida. 
1. Spermacoce stricta, Linn. ; FI. Br. Ind. iii. 200. Stems 
erect, 6-12 in., angles minutely prickly. Leaves narrowly lan- 
ceolate, 1-2 in., acute ; both surfaces rough with minute prickles. 
Flowers white ; clusters many-flowered, usually globose. Corolla 
hardly in. long. Stigma capitate. 
Valleys below Simla; June-October. — Throughout India, ascending to 
6000 ft. — Tropical Asia and Africa. 
*2. Spermacoce hispida, Linn. ; FI. Br. Ind. iii. 200. Stems 
procumbent, 6-12 in., angles hairy. Leaves ovate or obovate, 
J-l^ in., acute or obtuse ; both surfaces rough with minute bristles. 
Flowers blue or white ; clusters 4-6-flowered. Corolla in. 
long. Stigma 2-lobed. 
Throughout India, ascending to 8000 ft. ; June-October. 
12. RUBIA. The Latin name of Dyers’ Madder, B. tinc- 
torum ; derived from ruber , red. — Most tropical and temperate 
regions. 
Rubia cordifolia, Linn . ; FI. Br. Ind. iii. 202. A climbing 
herb ; rootstock perennial ; stems and branches elongate, rather 
rigid, 4-angled, angles minutely prickly. Leaves in whorls of 4, 
long-stalked, cordate-ovate, 2-4 in., long-pointed ; nerves and mar- 
gins prickly, otherwise nearly glabrous, basal nerves prominent ; 
stipules none. Flowers small, dark red, in numerous, small cymes 
forming large, bracteate panicles. Calyx-tube globose ; limb obso- 
lete. Corolla rotate ; lobes 5, tips incurved. Stamens 5. Ovary 
