Herpestis
(from herpestes, anything that creeps; in allusion to the habit of the species). ORD. Scrophularineae. This genus comprises about fifty species of erect, diffuse, prostrate, or aquatic perennial herbs, natives of various parts of America, Africa, Australia, or Southern Asia, few of which are in cultivation. Flowers axillary, sessile or pedicellate, one to three together. Leaves opposite entire, toothed, or in the aquatic species submerged, capillaceous-multisect. Increased by divisions, or by seeds. The species described below will grow in any loamy, well-drained soil, which must be kept constantly moist.
H. Monniera (Monnier's). fl. pale blue, small, solitary, opposite, on long pedicels. Summer. l. cuneiform, entire, or toothed at the apex. Tropics. Stove. (B. M. 2557.) H. reflexa (reflexed). A garden name for Myriophyllum, proserpinacoides (which see).