Cochliostema
(from kochlion, spiral, and stema, a stamen; in allusion to the spirally curved stamens). ORD. Commelinaceae. This genus contains but a single species, as the two plants described below are mere forms of one. A very handsome stove perennial. It thrives in a compost of peat, leaf mould, and loam, in equal parts, with the addition of a small quantity of sand. Perfect drainage and a copious supply of water--both to the roots and overhead--are essential. Propagated by seed, which are obtained in abundance by means of artificial fertilisation. The anthers will be found inside the large stamen-like organs in the centre of the flower. The seed should be sown as soon as ripe, in sandy soil, in well drained pots, and placed in a hotbed. C. Jacobianum (Jacob's). fl. blue, delicately sweet, numerous, pedicellate, crowded at the ends of the stalks in a rather short, simple, scorpioid cyme; three outer segments of the perianth unequal, oblong, obtuse, hooded at the apex; three inner segments equal, obovate, their margins fringed with long, delicate, rich purple hairs. September. l. rich dark green, edged with a narrow margin of purple, oblong-lanceolate, 1ft. to 3ft. long, and 6in. to 8in. broad, sheathing at the base. Andes of Ecuador, 1867. This is one of the finest introductions of late years, and equally as valuable from a horticultural point of view as it is interesting from its peculiar structure. (B. M. 5705.) C. odoratissimum (sweetest-scented). fl., outer perianth segments yellowish-green at the base, reddish above; inner segments large, deep blue, with a large white claw. l. pale green above, long, sheathing, gracefully recurved; margins bordered with red; under surface red, marked with deep red-violet lines. The scent in this form is much more powerful than in C. Jacobianum.