Hermannia
(named after Paul Hermann, 1646-95, once Professor of Botany at Leyden). ORD. Sterculiaceae. A large genus of ornamental greenhouse evergreen shrubs, generally clothed with starry tomentum. Flowers usually yellow, drooping; peduncles axillary, and few-flowered. Leaves dentate or incised. About eighty species have been described, but very few are in cultivation. Three are natives of Mexico or Texas, four of tropical Africa or Arabia; all the rest are extra-tropical South African. For culture, see Mahernia. H. althaeifolia (Mallow-leaved). fl. dark yellow or sulphur-coloured; peduncles solitary or twin, two or three-flowered, longer than the leaves. March to July. l. tomentose, obovate, plaited, crenate. h. 3ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1728. (B. M. 307.) H. flammea (flame).* fl. orange-coloured or red; peduncles one or two-flowered; racemes terminal. Summer. l. smooth, wedge-shaped, lanceolate, truncated, truncated, and toothed at the apex. h. 1ft. to 3ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1794. (B. M. 1349.)