Coonoor, Neilgherries, in woods. At first I considered
this plant amply distinct from S. Heyneanus
(of which I have not an authentic specimen), but
closer comparison of the dried specimens with the
character of that species has given rise to doubts
as to their being really distinct. There are no doubt
differences, but in the absence of specimens to
compare, I do not feel certain that they are of specific
value. In the growing state it is a striking
plant; the very deep dark green of the exceedingly
rugous leaves (a feature not well preserved in the
drawing), contrast strongly with the numerous'pale
rose-coloured capitate spikes, and deep blue of the
small flowers. It is said by the Natives to flower
only once in several years.
1620. L epidagathis nervosa (R.W.), herbaceous,
diffuse, glabrous: leaves ovato-oblong, attenuated
towards the apex, decurrent on the petiol, crenato-
serrated, unequal: spikes terminal, once or twice
trichotomous, contracted into a capitulum: bracts
and bracteoles scarious, glabrous; bracts elliptic, obtuse,
5-nerved, the exterior pair of nerves marginal;
bracteoles equal, as long as the bracts, 3-nerved:
posterior lobe of the calyx much larger than the
others, 3-nerved; middle pair narrow, subulate, anterior
lanceolate: corolla (when dry) scarcely exceeding
the bracts.
Ceylon. This species being from Ceylon and,
I believe, among Col. Walker’s plants, I at first supposed
it L . Walkeriana, but on comparing it with
Nees’ character could not reconcile the two, especially
in what regards the bracts and ca ly x : “brac-
teis herbaceo-chartaceis calyce duplo brevioribus
neither does it quadrate with two other species from
the same country, though all seem nearly allied.
Viewing it therefore as a new species, I have named
it with reference to the nerved bracts and bracteoles.
_ 1621. Sal vat) ora persic a (Linn), leaves oblong,
narrow elliptico-lanceolate succulent, glabrous: panicles
terminal, compact: flowers sessile, bracteate:
bracts caducous: corolla persistent: fruit ------ .
Scinde, Stocks. Arabia, Persia, Egypt.
Small trees with the stem slightly tumid at the
articulations. Leaves linear, opposite, leathery, entire,
very obscurely veined. Flowers sessile, minute,
in loose panicles. Calyx inferior, 4-leaved, minute.
Corolla membranous, monopetalous, 4-parted. Stamens
4, connecting the petals into a monopetalous
corolla; anthers round, 2-celled, bursting longitudinally.
Ovary superior, 1-celled, with a single sessile
stigma; ovule solitary, erect. Pericarp berried; 1-
cefled, indehiscent. Seed solitary, erect. Embryo
amygdaloid, without albumen; cotyledons fleshy,
plano-convex, fixed a little below their middle to a
long axis, the radicle of which is inclosed within
their bases.
There are, I believe, only 3 species of this genus ;
of these one is common in India the other two are
natives of the countries west of the Indus. In my
Illustrations of Indian Botany I have made some remarks
on them, suggested by an examination of specimens
of all the three plants, which, for the sake of
those who may not have the means of consulting that
work, I republish here. Two of the three are represented
in the accompanying plate, viz. the flowering
specimen, «S. Persica, and the one in fruit, S. Stoclcsii.
Remarks on Genera and Species. To this genus,
six species are assigned in botanical works; & Persica,
capitata, biflora, Surinamensis, paniculata, and
Indica. Of these, the first constitutes the original
type of the genus, the second and third, so far as
I can make out from description, do not belong to it,
the fourth rests on the authority of Sprengel, and
has been referred, by Alph. D.C., to Weigeltia, a
genus of Myrsineacece; and lastly the 5th and 6th
seem to be the same or very nearly allied species.
The first and last have long been confounded. The
first notice to that effect, I find in Racmer and
Schultes in these words, “Planta Roxburghi alia
videtur quam ilia Forskali ex descriptione.” Royle
afterwards took the same view and called the one
S. Persica, the other S. Indica, but without giving
distinctive characters. He, however, as I understand
him, calls, perhaps by mistake, the Indian plant
figured by Roxburgh, S. Persica, and the Forskalian
one, S. Indica. As I happen, through the kindness
of Mr. Stocks (who sent me specimens of the Western
plant from Scinde), to have both species before me,
I am enabled to clear up the doubts and uncertainties
which have so long hung over them. The
typical forms of the two plants may be distinguished
at a glance, the Western or Persian one having long
narrow elliptico-lanceolate leaves, and compact spi-
cato-panicled inflorescence, or, in other words, a
sessile-flowered panicle; while the Eastern or Indian
one, has broad ovato-oval obtuse leaves, and large
diffuse racemoso-panicled inflorescence, that is, pedi-
celled flowers on the floriferous ramuli. The berries,
moreover, of the Persian plant, are described as
yellow or black, those of the Indian one are red.
I now have specimens of the Indian form, from both
Cambay and the Circars, and thence extending
south to within a few miles of Cape Comorin (how
far north it goes I am unable to say), and every
where corresponding with Roxburgh’s figure and
description. To this species, therefore, I restrict the
specific name Indica, to the other, or long narrow
leaved and sessile flowered form, I assign the specific
name of Persica.
But 1 have a third nearly intermediate form, also
from Scinde, which, being only in fruit, I am as yet
uncertain how to dispose of. It has the broad short
blunt leaves of the Indian plant, but the panicles
are much more compact, and the pedicels scarcely
half the length. It seems a distinct species. The
above species may be thus defined :—
Salvadora Persica (Linn. Cissus arborea, Forsk.),
leaves oblong, narrow elliptico-lanceolate, succulent,
glabrous: panicles terminal, compact: flowers
sessile, bracteate: bracts caducous: corolla persistent
: fruit------ . Scinde, Arabia, Persia, Egypt.
Salvadora Indica (Royle ? R. W. Salvadora
Persica, Roxb.), arboreous, leaves broad ovate-oval,
obtuse, glabrous: panicles terminal and axillary,
diffuse; flowers longish pedicelled: bracts sub-persistent:
berry about twice the length of the calyx,
red, embraced by the marcessant corolla.
India, everywhere in low lying damp ground,
usually near cultivation.
S alvadora S tocksii (R. W.), leaves ovato-oval,
mucronate: panicles compact, terminal: flowers
short pedicelled: corolla deciduous: fruit three or
four times the length of the persistent calyx.*
Scinde, Stocks. I consider this a perfectly distinct
species, as shown by the deciduous corolla,
large size of the fruit, and compact form of the
panicles. In these definitions I have limited myself
to the characters simply required to distinguish one
species from the other. Of the two last I shall give
figures in the leones.