PHYMATANTHUS intertinctus
Stained-petaled Wart-flower.
P. intertinctus, foliis oblongis obovatisve basi atteiiuatis
lacero-incisis cartilagineo-dentatis canescentibus,
stipulis lanceolatis acuminatis, pedunculis villosis
trifloris, tubo nectarifero brevissimo calyce quadruple
breviore.
Stem■ suffrutescent, erect or ascending, branching : branches more or less clothed with the persistent stipules,
pubescent. Leaves on long footstalks, oblong or
sometimes obovate, tapering to the base, deeply cut and
jagged, toothed with rigid short teeth, and clothed with
a hoary pubescence: segments variable, generally linear,
mostly two small subulate ones at the base, and two
long linear ones above them, but in some leaves they
are wanting. Petioles long and slender, pubescent,
flattened a little on the upper side and rounded below. Stipules lanceolate, taper-pointed, persistent. Peduncles
villosely hairy, as are the pedicles and calyx. Umbels
generally 3-flowered. Involucre of 6 lanceolate, acute,
fringed bractes. Pedicles long and slender. Calyx 5-
cleft, the segments lanceolate, sharp-pointed. Nectariferous
tube very short, about four times shorter than the
calyx. Petals 5, unguiculate, the two upper ones
largest, roundly obovate, warted a little above the unguis,
of a dark velvetty colour: lower ones white stained with
bright red, also a blood red spot at the base. Filaments
10, connected at the base, 5 bearing anthers: pollen
deep orange colour. Style dark purple, slightly hairy. Stigmas 5, spreading.
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