Hemigraphis
(from hemigraphos, half-written; in allusion to the shape of the corolla). ORD. Acanthaceae. A genus embracing about a score species of stove or greenhouse, annual or perennial herbs, inhabiting the East Indies, the Malayan Archipelago, China, and Japan. Flowers rather small, solitary or rarely twin, spicate; calyx deeply five-cleft or five-parted, the segments often more or less connate below the middle; corolla tube slender, shortly enlarged above, the limb of five rounded, spreading lobes; stamens four, didynamous, included; bracts often imbricated; bracteoles minute or wanting. Leaves opposite, entire or toothed. For culture of the species described below, see the allied genus Ruellia, on p. 333, Vol. III. H. colorata (coloured). fl. white; corolla narrow, six to seven lines long; spikes terminal, tetragonal, pedunculate. l. cordate-ovate, crenate, bullate, 2 3/4in. long, 1 3/4in. broad, tinted silvery-grey on the upper surface, purple beneath; petioles 1 1/2in. long. Stem creeping, and, as well as the petioles, loosely hairy. India, 1885. Stove perennial. H. latebrosa (secret). The correct name of the plant described on p. 333, Vol. III., as Ruellia latebrosa.