Moluccella
(a diminutive from Molucca, of which one of the species was supposed to be a native). SYN. Molucca. ORD. Labiatae. This genus comprises a couple of species of hardy or half-hardy annuals, inhabiting the Mediterranean region. Whorls axillary, many-flowered. Leaves petiolate, deeply crenated or cut. The species here described is remarkable on account of the singular form of the calyces, which are shallowly bell-shaped, and densely arranged on erect stems. It forms an excellent subject for skeletonising. Seeds should be sown in a hotbed, during spring, and the seedlings transferred to the open border during May. A sandy loam is the most suitable soil.
M. laevis (smooth). fl., corolla white, shorter than the limb of the calyx, which is large, membranaceous, sub-pentagonal, and with five very short teeth; whorls usually six-flowered, distant. August. l. on long petioles, roundish, coarsely crenated. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Syria, 1570. Hardy.(B. M. 1852).