Radical leaves glaucous, erect-recurved, channelled, 
ligulate, obtuse, with a little point, with spinous ser- 
ratures, and here and there crossed with white downy 
bands. Scape 14 foot high, leafy, hispid. Spica capitate, 
compound, proliferous, with long, acuminate, spinous- 
serrated, rosy bracteee. Calyx superior, coriaceous, smooth, 
3-parted, not 3-leaved : the segments cordate-ovate, many- 
ribbed, keeled, with membranous, imbricated margins. 
Petals 3, purple, inserted on the margin of a cyathiform 
epigynous disk, unguiculate, concave, with a lacerated 
scale above the base, and a wrinkled, somewhat plaited 
disk. Stamens 6,3 alternate with the petals and inserted in 
the same line, 3 inserted into the petals below the middle; _ 
jilaments linear, membranous, becoming terete towards 
the base; anthers yellowish, sagittate, anterior, two-celled, 
opening lengthwise, during wstivation cohering by their 
margins, attached to the filaments by the middle of the 
back. Ovarium. woolly, 3-celled, many-seeded. Style 
filiform, thickened towards the apex. Stigmas 3, crisp, 
petaloid, at length becoming conyolute. i 
