Priva
(a name of unknown meaning, given by Adanson). SYNS. Streptium, Tortula. ORD. Verbenaceae. A genus comprising about nine species of erect, stove or greenhouse herbs, inhabiting the warmer regions of the globe. Flowers small or mediocre, solitary at the axils of the small, narrow bracts, very shortly pedicellate; calyx ribs five, produced in short teeth, enlarged in fruit; corolla sub-bilabiate, five-lobed; spikes terminal or pedunculate in the axils, long, slender. Leaves opposite, membranous, toothed. Only one species calls for mention here. For culture, see Stachytarpheta. P. laevis (smooth). fl. remotely opposite or somewhat whorled; corolla reddish, with large, rounded lobes, and a slightly villous throat; raceme terminal. Summer. L. ovate-oblong, cuneately attenuated into the petioles, acute or obtuse, deeply mucronateserrate, paler and opaque beneath, rather thick. Stem erect, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high, tetragonal. Argentine Republic, 1833. Greenhouse. (R. G. 1131.)