MUNRONIA JAVANICA. 
121 
MTJNEONIA JAYANICA. 
W E have to thank Messrs. Eollisson, of Tooting, for the opportunity of figuring this very pretty 
and interesting stove plant, to which, indeed, a representation on white paper scarcely does 
justice. Our drawing was made about the middle of June. The plant forms an erect shrub, growing 
to the height of a foot. The leaves are impari-pinnate, with two pairs of sub-opposite lateral leaflets, 
of which the lowest pair is nearly cordate, the upper pair oblong-ovate, with an oblique acute base, and 
the terminal one much larger, on a longish stalk, and occasionally lobed. The racemes come from the 
axils of the leaves, and are few-flowered; the pedicels are subtended by minute subulate bracts, and 
just above their base have an articulation, below which is seated a pair of minute bracteoles. The 
calyx is divided into five leafy linear-spathulate divisions. The corolla is white, apparently monope- 
talous, though really considered to be pentapetalous with the claws of the petals connate into a slender 
tube; this tube is an inch long, nearly cylindrical, with a spreading limb or free portion, consisting 
of five — rarely three or four — elliptic-lanceolate unequal imbricating lobes, half as long as the 
tubular part. The filaments are also conjoined into a cylindrical tube, which coheres with the tube of 
the corolla beyond its middle, and is somewhat shorter than its lobes; this terminates in a rim of 
ten subulate processes, within which are placed, at the mouth of the tube, an equal number of conver¬ 
gent yellow sessile anthers. There is another delicately-membranous interior tube covering the base 
of the ovary. The ovary is downy externally, with five one or two-seeded cells, and is surmounted 
by a slender style as long as the staminal tube, terminating in a flattened obscurely-lobed stigma. 
Mr. Buckley, of the Tooting Nursery, has furnished the following notes on the Munronia :— 
“The Munronia Javanica was raised from seeds collected in Java, in 1848, by Mr. Henshall, who 
states, that it there forms a dense-growing dwarf shrub. It was, at the time he discovered it, covered 
with its pure white Jasmine-like flowers. The seeds were sown in 1849, and yet so dwarf is its 
habit, that the largest plant is not more than ten inches in height at the present time. It is one of 
the few plants which flower at all seasons, and this feature alone renders it worthy a place in any 
collection. Since the plants were four inches in height they have always had buds or flowers upon 
them, which is unusual in a slow-growing plant. It produces but few side shoots. 
“ The leaves, including the petiole, measure eight inches when mature, and consist of two (occa¬ 
sionally three) pairs of leaflets, and a terminal one, which is ovate-lanceolate, one inch wide and 
three inches long, sometimes undulated and lobed, but more frequently entire, convex on the upper 
surface, with the points drooping; light green and slightly pubescent. The leaves on the lower part 
are pendulous, and completely clothe the stem and surface of the soil; the upper ones stand erect, 
with the points drooping. The flower-stems spring from the axils of the leaves, each leaf producing 
one, and each spike having from five to nine flowers : it is not uncommon to see eight or nine spikes 
in flower at the same time, and these, standing boldly above the foliage, produce a very pretty effect. 
The flowers are of the purest white, about one inch across, when expanded. As soon as the flower 
fades, the pedicel curves downwards, and remains in that position during the ripening of the seeds. 
The ovary is five-celled, though it rarely happens that more than two or three seeds reach perfection. 
The seeds are light brown, and shaped like a small univalve shell. 
“ The general aspect of the plant is peculiarly chaste and interesting; and it will be found espe¬ 
cially useful for those who can afford space for a small collection only, as it will not (as is the case 
with many stove plants) require frequent renewal by propagation, or pruning, to keep it within 
manageable limits. It is also easily cultivated. The following compost will be found to be suitable for 
it:—To three parts of Wimbledon, or any similar peat, add one part of light turfy loam, and about one- 
sixth of silver sand. Drain the pots well in the usual manner. It may be re-potted any time between 
February and October; but March or April (according to the state of the plant) is the best time, and 
if re-potted at this season, once a-year, it will generally suffice for it. It appears to enjoy a moist 
atmosphere, a rather shady part of the stove, and a high temperature. The usual stove treatment will 
serve for it in the winter. 
