Oftia
(meaning unexplained by its author). SYN. Spielmannia. ORD. Myoporineae. A genus comprising only a couple of species of greenhouse, evergreen shrubs, natives of South Africa. Flowers white, in the upper axils, sessile, or shortly pedicellate, ebracteate; calyx five-parted; corolla tube cylindrical; limb of five obovate, spreading lobes. Leaves alternate, or the lower ones opposite or almost whorled, sessile, serrulate, often rather small. The undermentioned species will thrive in any rich light soil. Young plants may be readily obtained by means of cuttings, inserted in sand, under a glass, in heat.
O. africana (African). fl. white, solitary, axillary; corolla salver-shaped, the segments marked with a blue streak at their base. February to November. l. ovate, acute, rigid, unequally serrate, with slightly pungent teeth; lower ones opposite; upper ones alternate. Branches succulent, opposite, rounded. h. 3ft. 1710. (B. M. 1899, under name of Spielmannia africana.)