Gymnostachyum
(from gymnos, naked, and stachys, a spike; probably on account of the absence of bracteoles). SYN. Cryptophragmia. ORD. Acanthaceae. A genus of about fourteen species of ornamental stove evergreen erect herbs, natives of the East Indies and the Malayan Archipelago. Flowers tubular, in erect spike-like racemes. Leaves cauline or sub-radical, entire or obscurely sinuate. The species here described are those usually seen in cultivation. For culture, see Eranthemum.
G. ceylanicum (Ceylon).* fl. small, pretty, in pseudo-verticils; corolla white, tipped with green and yellow. Winter. l. opposite, spreading horizontally, oval or obovate, obtuse, obscurely serrated, having milk-white stains upon a dark green ground. Stem very short, downy. Ceylon. (B. M. 4706.) G. venusta (charming).* fl. purple, remotely fasciculated, sub-sessile, disposed in slender elongated racemes; panicles large, terminal. September. l. ovate-acuminate, crenate. h. 5in. Bengal. (B. R. 1380, under name of Justicia venusta.)