Malortiea
(named in honour of E. von Malortie, of Hanover). ORD. Palmae. A small genus (five species have been described) of elegant dwarf-growing stove Palms, natives of Central America. Flowers unisexual, in simply-branched spikes, springing from the axils of the lowermost leaves. Fruit small, roundish or egg-shaped. Leaves on long stalks, irregularly pinnate. Trunks slender. M. gracilis and M. simplex are admirable subjects for growing in a Wardian case. The species thrive best in a compost of peat and sand, to which a small quantity of sandy loam has been added. An abundance of water and perfect drainage are essential.
M. gracilis (slender). l. dark green, on very slender petioles, divided into segments which are toothed at the margins, and the lobes split in the centre. Stems slender, from 2ft. to 4ft. high. Guatemala, 1862. SYN. Geonoma fenestrata. (B. M. 5291.) M. intermedia (intermediate). l. dark green, divided into two segments, or four-two unequal pairs; leafstalks slender, nearly as long as leaves. Stem slender, base of leaves forming a strong sheathing network of fine fibres. h. 2ft. Costa Rica.
M. simplex (simple). l. dark green, oblong, simple or bifid. Costa Rica, 1861. An elegant dwarf and slender-growing plant, somewhat resembling M. gracilis, but without the peculiar window-like holes in its leaves. (B. M. 5247.)