Lepidagathis
(from lepis, lepidos, a scale, and agathis, a ball; referring to the curved inflorescence, and the flowers being placed between the scaly bracts). ORD. Acanthaceae. A genus comprising about fifty species of herbs or sub-shrubs, natives, for the most part, of the East Indies, the Malayan Archipelago, and tropical Africa, with two inhabiting tropical America. L. cristata, probably the only species yet introduced, is a stove evergreen shrub, thriving in any light, rich soil. Cuttings of young shoots will root during May, if inserted in sandy soil, and placed in bottom heat. L. cristata (crested). fl. purple. June. l. linear-lanceolate or oblong, glabrous. h. 2ft. India, 1820.