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Phrynium (From phrynos a toad referring)

(from phrynos, a toad; referring to the genus inhabiting marshes). SYN. Phyllodes. ORD. Scitamineae. A genus containing nearly twenty species of stove, herbaceous perennials, natives of the East Indies, the Malayan Archipelago, and tropical Africa. Flowers in terminal heads or panicles; sepals three, narrow; corolla shorter, or scarcely longer, than the calyx; lip broad, transversely crested, cucullate, or sometimes two-lobed. Leaves sub radical, on long stalks. Stems leafy. Roots creeping. Few of the species are grown in gardens. For culture, see Calathea, under which are included two or three species usually known as Phryniums.

P. coloratum (coloured). A synonym of Calathea colorata. P. eximium (choice). A synonym of Calathea eximia.

P. maculatum (spotted). A garden synonym of Dracaena phrynioides. P. sanguineum (bloody). fl. rich blood-colour; outer sepals free to the base, erect; inner ones combined for a good part of their length; scape 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, erect, terminated by a compound raceme. Winter and spring. l. 10in. to 12in. long, oblong, acuminate, dark green above, rich purple below, on short petioles. Native place unknown. 1845. Plant stemless or caulescent. (B. M. 4646.)