Pleuropetalum
(from pleuron, a side, and petalon, a petal; in allusion to the shape of the corolla). SYN. Allochlamys. ORD. Amarantaceae. A genus comprising only a couple of species of slightly-branched, stove, glabrous shrubs, natives of Mexico, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands. Flowers greenish, at length red, small, disposed in terminal, branched panicles, sessile or pedicellate; perianth of equal, oblong, obtuse, concave segments; stamens five to eight. Leaves alternate, rather large, membranous, elliptic-lanceolate, long-acuminate, entire or with slightly undulated margins, narrowed into a rather long petiole. Only one of the species has been introduced to our gardens. It requires culture similar to Codiaeum (which see). P. costaricense (Costa Rica). fl. green, at length scarlet, small, very numerous, in terminal and axillary, sub-corymbose, much-branched panicles, shortly pedicellate; perianth segments five. Autumn. l. petioled, alternate, 4in. to 5in. long, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, with the tip often drawn out; margin even, or obscurely undulate. Central America and Mexico, 1883. A small shrub, with green branches. (B. M. 6674.) SYN. Melanocarpum Sprucei.