m
floriferis, bracteis distichis, floribus fructibusque secundis, corolla basi subgibba, calycis
limbo obseleto integro.—Valeriana ceratophylla, Hook, et Arn. supra, p . 296. not H .B .K .
H ab. San Blas and Tepic.—Notwithstanding the great similarity between this plant and the Valeriana
ceratophylla of H.B.K. Nov. Gen. Am. 3. t. 276. (so great indeed, that we had in a former part of this
work hastily considered it the same), it is in reality a totally different thing, not even referrible to the Genus
Valeriana at all. It is a true A s tr ^ h ia , having no pappose calycine limb, but a very indistinct entire border,
a mere slightly elevated rim. The flowers at first appear to be capitate at the extremity of the little ramuli
of the corymbs : but as the fructification advances, these ramuli are elongated into slender spikes, with closely
placed, almost imbricated, distichous, fringed, ovato-lanceolate bracteas, within which the ovary is situated.
Corolla very narrow at the base, and there a little oblique, bat scarcely gibbous. Stamens 2, almost entirely
included. Style much inserted. Stigmas 3. Limb of the calyx obsolete, unaltered in fruit. Fruit glabrous,
ovato-triquelrous, with two elevated lines in front, indicating two abortive cells. The more advanced fruit
is, however, only 1-celled, very deciduous, leaving the rachis pectinated, as it were, with the closely-placed
distichous scales or bracteas.
O r d . X XV I. COMPOSITÆ.
T r ib . I . VERNON IACEÆ.
1. Vernonia {§ Lepidaploa) lanceolatis ; caule te re ti striato pube feruginea p arce velii-
tino, foliis petiolatis lanceolatis basi subobtusis apice acuminatis serrulatis su p ra glabiis,
subtus p etiolisque p arce velutinis, paniculæ ramis axillaribus ebracteatis ramosis velutinis,
capitulis sessilibus ovatis 20-floris lateralibus e t terminalibus, involucri squamis omnibus
m ucronatis dorso subpuberis, corolla glabra, receptáculo alveolato, achenio puberulo,
p ap p i serie exteriore brevi vix paleacea. De Cand. Prodr. 5. p . 37.
H a b . Realejo. De Candolle’s character of this plant is drawn up from a Mexican specimen in Hænke’s
Herb., and consequently we believe tbat it is from the Pacific side of Mexico, and the character quite accords
with our Realejo specimens. The stem and branches are decidedly woody and striated, upwards clothed
with rusty down. Leaves 4-6 inches long, broadly lanceolate, penninerved and reticulated, of a harsh
texture, wrinkled when dry. Petiole half an inch long. Panicle large, many-flowered, terminal, the branches
leafy at the base ; the ultimate ones slightly recurved, bearing the capitula sessile on the upper side. Scales
of the involucre green with a white border.
1. D istrep tu s spicatus, Cass.— D e Cand. Prodr. b .p . 87. Hook, et A rn. supra, p . 296.
Elep h an to p u s spicatus, Juss.
H ab. Realejo. Our specimens have larger capitula than usual, and from 4 to 6-8 collected in each
bractea ; but it is a species liable to much variation, according to De Candolle.
] . Lagascea latifolia; fruticosa, foliis sessilibus amplexicaulibus oblongis acuminatis
serratis integerrimisve su p ra scabris subtus molliter pilosis reticulatis, capitulis corymboso-
panicula tis. D e Cand. Prodr. 5. p . 92. Hook, et A rn. supra, p . 296.— Nocca latifolia,
Lallave et L e x . Nov. Veg. Descr. 1. p . 31. Sweet, Br. Fl. Gard. t 215.
H a b . Between San Bias and Tepic.—Our specimens, only portions of the plant, are a foot to a foot and a
half long, leaves 4-6 inches long, opposite, and, by means of the short semi-amplexicaul petioles, eveu
Compositce.}
united, so that the stem may almost be said to be perfoliate— Cultivated in our gardens, this fine plant,
according to Mr Sweet, attains a height of 10 or 12 feet.
2. L . angustifolia; foliis brevi-petiolatis oblongo-linearibus integerrimis u trin q u e
a ttenuatis villoso-scabris, capitulis villosissimis subfasciculatis. De Cand. Prod. b. p .
92.
H a b . Between San Bias and Tepic.—A very distinct and well marked species with lanceolate leaves,
much attenuated at the base, and densely villous small capitula.
S IN C LA IR IA . nov. Gen.
Capitulum multiflorum radiatum ; f l . radii ligulatis fcemineis, disci hermaphr. 5-fidis, lobis linearibus æqua-
iibus demum revolutis, apicibus hirsutulis. Receptaculum nudum. Involucrum campanulatura, squamis
imbricatis appressis, interioribus brevibus ovatis. Antheræ disci ecaudatæ, filamentis lævibus. Sty li rami
elongati fere subulati; rf/sci breviores lobos corollæ vix superantes, subhispiduli obtusiusculi. Achenium
breve glabrum angulatum. Pappus ful vus biserialis, serie externa paleacea brevi ; intern, elongata setiformi
scabra rigida fragili.—Frutex glaber (vel arbor) Mexicanus. Rami/ere ad apices lignosi. YoWaopposita
longe petiolata integerrima rhornhoidea brevi-acuminata trinervia, supra viridia subtus albissima, nervis
atro-fuscis. Petioli graciles basi dilatati amplexantes. Panicula terminalis thyrsoidea speciosa. Flores
lutei.
1. Sinclairia rfiscofor.
H ab. Realejo.—We think this fine plant, which is very different from any thing we are acquainted with,
may be placed among the Vernoniaceoe, near Rectoria and Andromachia.—The flowers are about an inch
in diameter. Leaves 4 or 5 inches long, and almost as much broad ; beneath, quite white (but neither
tomentose nor farinose), beautifully marked with the dark brown nerves.
1. P iq u e ria Cav___ Hook, et A rn . supra, p . 266.*
H ab . Between San Bias and Tepic.
1. Cælestina petiolata (n. sp. Sect. Ageratoides) ; foliis glaberrimis late ovatis obtusiusculis
grosse obtuse serratis basi in petiolum longum attenuatis, corolla glaberrima, pappo
cupulæformî d entato d en te unico corollæ tubum fere æquante.
H a b . Realejo—Caulis ascendeos, basi lignosus. Folia 3 -4 uncias longa : petioli bipollicares. Pedunculus
termmalis, elongatus, gracilis. Capitula corymbosa, parva.
1. P h a n ia ? rfíssecía (n. sp.) ; caule gracili elongato rep e titim dichotomo pubescente,
foliis bi-tripinnatim-sectis, pinnis primariis remotis laciniis parvis ovato-lanceolatis incisis,
pedunculis monocephalis eiongatis gracilibus terminalibus et ex dichotomiis ramorum,
• In order to save room, as the present is the last fasciculus to which the work can extend, we are obliged
to omit the notice of several interesting and some entirely new plants in this collection, but especially of
such as were found in Mexico during the previous voyage of Captain. Beechey.
3 I