FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 24.
J. Fleischmann del.
Aframomum Laurentii (De Wild. & Dur.) K. Schum.
A Leaf. B Inflorescence. C Flower cut lengthwise. D Lower part of the flower cut lengthwise.
6. Connective with a grooved beak. Lip 3-lobed.—Species 2. Cultivated and sometimes naturalised in the tropics. The root-stock is used as a condiment, especially for the preparation of liquors, and in medicine.
“Ginger.” Zingiber L.
Connective with an oblong or 3-lobed, not grooved appendage. Lip not distinctly 3-lobed. 7
7. Connective with an entire, oblong appendage. Filament adnate to the base of the lip. Inflorescence lax.—Species 2. West Africa (Cameroons) and Madagascar. Aulotandra Gagnepain
Connective with a 3-lobed appendage. Filament free from the lip. Inflorescence dense.—Species 50. Tropics. The fruits (grains of paradise) of several species (especially A. melegueta Roscoe) are used as a condiment and for the preparation of perfumes and medicaments; others serve as ornamental plants. (Under Amomum L.) (Plate 24.) Aframomum K. Schum.
8. Filament long. Lip not distinctly clawed. Inflorescence terminating the leafy stem.—Species 3. Naturalised in the tropical regions. Ornamental plants. Alpinia L.
Filament short. Lip clawed. 9
9. Lip entire, rhomboidical, adnate to the filament at the base. Epigynous glands lobed. Flowering stem separated from the leafy stem. Inflorescence very dense, almost head-like, surrounded by a coloured involucre.—Species 1. Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Used as an ornamental plant, the fruit as a condiment. (Nicolaia Horan., under Amomum L.) Phaeomeria Lindl.
Lip more or less distinctly 3-lobed, free from the filament. 10
10. Fruit indehiscent. Seeds without an aril. Corolla-tube slightly exceeding the calyx. Stigma small. Inflorescence springing from the base of the leafy stem, lax, paniculate.—Species 1 (E. Cardamomum White et Maton). Cultivated in the tropics and naturalised in the Mascarene
Islands. The fruits (cardamoms) are used as a condiment and for the preparation of perfumes and medicaments. Elettaria Maton
Fruit dehiscent. Seeds with an aril. Calyx closed in bud. Inflorescence usually terminal.—Species 15. Central Africa. (Ethanium Salisb.) Renealmia L. f.
[FAMILY 41.] CANNACEAE
Herbs. Leaves large, penninerved. Inflorescence spicate or formed of cymes. Flowers irregular and asymmetrical, hermaphrodite. Sepals free. Petals united below. Fertile stamen single, 1-celled, the barren half leaf-like. Staminodes leaf-like. Ovary inferior, 3-celled, with numerous inverted ovules. Style and stigma simple. Fruit capsular. Seeds albuminous; embryo straight. (Under SCITAMINEAE.)
Genus 1, species 5. Cultivated and sometimes naturalised in various regions.
They yield starch, vegetables, medicaments, and dyeing materials, and are also used as ornamental plants. “Indian shot.” Canna L.