2049. D isporum Ceylanicum (R. W.), umbels
3-5-flowered, terminal: sepals lanceolate acute or
sub-acuminate, not gibbous at the base: filaments
filiform, about twice the length of the oblong obtuse
incumbent anthers: . style filiform 3-4 times the
length of the revolute stigmas: leaves sessile, ovate,
lanceolate, attenuate at the apex, acute.
Ceylon. I am indebted to the late Colonel W alker
for my specimens of this very distinct species.
2050. Ophiopogon I ndicts (R. W., Rottler?),
leaves _ narrow linear, acute, somewhat coriaceous,
sheathing at the base: scape naked, about half the
length of the leaves, racemose, secund: bracts subulate,
shorter than the pedicels: flowers bell-shaped,
sepals ovate, obtuse, longer than the filiform, acute,
sty le : filaments short, cohering at the base, and
with the sepals persistent: berries oval, pale blue
when mature.
Neilgherries, Courtallum, Mysore, &c.
A widely diffused plant. I have taken the specific
name from Royle’s Illustrations, where he mentions
an “ 0 . Indicus, Rottler,” but without a reference to
a character to enable me to ascertain whether this
be his plant, hence the query.
This genus and the following (Peliosanth.es) are
remarkable for bearing naked seed, that is the cells
of the ovary do not enlarge with the growth of the
ovules, which in course of time burst the walls of
the cells and are then matured not in a seed vessel
but exposed to the direct action of air and light.
The testa becomes progressively succulent, finally
giving these naked seed, a berry-like look. Sometimes
the whole six ovules are matured, producing
clusters of bright blue berries as shown at fig. 7.
Sometime several of them abort as I have endeavoured
to show at fig. 6, when 2 of the ovules are represented
much larger that the adjoining aborted ones.
When the whole attain maturity, as shown in figures
7 and 8, the clusters of bright blue berries then form a
very pretty object. Mr. Brown was, I believe, the
first who understood and explained this curious economy
of these plants.
2051. P eliosanthes Court aleensis (R. W.),
leaves very long petioled, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous
; petiols rather shorter than the limb, triangular :
scape about the length of the petiols, subspicate:
bracts subulate, as long as the flowers: perianth cam-
panulate, 6-cleft, throat contracted by the antherife-
rous crown (dilated monodelphous filaments): anthers
sessile, inserted within the margin of the crown: ovary
3-celled, with 3 erect ovules in each, 1 or .2 of each
usually abort.
- Courtallum, in dense woods, flowering February
and March.
Figures 5 and 6 show the ovary in an advanced
stage, but before the cells have given way; figure 7
after they have burst, and figure 8 in a somewhat
more advanced stage of development.
2052. P eliosanthes N eilgherrensis (R. W.),
leaves lanceolate, tapering a t both ends, acuminate;
limb about the length of the petiol: scape erect, race-
mose, shorter than the leaves: flowers drooping, cam-
panulate, 6-cleft: anthcriferous crown (dilated filaments)
6-parted (that is filaments six), short, dilated,
inserted on the sepals: ovary 3-celled, ovules, usually,
4 in each cell; soon rupturing the walls: style
3 angular, short; stigmas 3, spreading: seed naked,
testa fleshy blue: embryo cylindrical at the base of
copious albumen.
Sispara, on the Western slopes of the Neilgherries,
abundant by the road side and among the adjoining
bushes, flowering January and February.
2053. D ianella ensifolia (Aiton), leaves numerous,
long ensiform ; margin prickly serrulate; keel
rough at the base and ap e x : branches and branch-
lets of the panicle spreading: pedicels crowded,
drooping, nearly as long as the flower.
Courtallum, Malabar Mountains.
The figure which was taken from an indifferent
specimen of a growing plant, does not give a very
good idea of the species, but the analyses are more
perfect than any I have seen of this genus.
2054. D racena terminalis (Willd.), stem fruti-
cose, erect: leaves petioled, lanceolate, attenuated
at both ends, stem-clasping at the base, glabrous:
branches of the panicle divaricated, simple: flowers
sessile, fascicled, 3 -5 together, tubular, 6-cleft: filaments
subulate; anthers incumbent: seed globose:
albumen large: embryo small, lateral.
Courtallum, Quilon, perhaps in both instances the
outcast of a garden. I do not recollect having met
with it in situations that left no doubt of its being
indigenous.
2055. A sparagus A siaticus (Linn.), thorns solitary,
recurved: stem erect, woody; branches filiform
: leaves fascicled, subulate (setaceous), peduncles
solitary.
Ootacamund, Neilgherries, frequent, growing in
open ground: smaller specimens are quite erect, the
more luxuriant ones, such as that selected for representation,
drooping towards the extremity. The
above is the only station I recollect having met with
this plant, but it must also inhabit the lower heights
on the Malabar Coast whence I presume Lin mens
obtained his specimens. Lamarck describes it, from
plants growing in the “ Jardin du Roi.” Lamarck
quotes Pluk. tab. 15, f. 4, for this plant, but as it is
without flowers it may serve as well or better for
the next. All indeed that can be said for it that it
is an Asparagus.
2056. A sparagus racemosus (Willd.), thorns
solitary, reflexed; branches striated: leaves fascicled,
linear, subulate, falcate, racemes many-flowered,
axillary.
Coimbatore district, frequent, climbing extensively
among hedges, and bushes. When in full flower,
which it is during the autumnal rains, it is a charming
plant, scenting the air for a considerable distance
round with its delightful fragrance.
The genus Asparagus is referred by most Botanists
to Liliacem. I am unable to understand on what
grounds, as it associates so well with Smilax.
Lindley excludes it from his class of Dictiogens,
but, as it appears to me, on insufficient grounds, as
the leaves of those species in which they are more
developed show the reticulated tendency, and the
woody structure of the stems of both is so perfectly
alike that sections are scarcely distinguishable when
lying side by side on the field of thé microscope.
For these reasons I have ventured to remove it from
Liliaceaj and place it beside Smilax which I have
no doubt is its proper place in the natural series.
( 26 )