Putoria
(from putor, a strong smell; in allusion to the smell of the leaves). ORD. Rubiaceae. A small genus (two or three species) of dwarf, half-hardy, branched shrubs, inhabiting the Mediterranean region. Flowers white or purple, fascicled at the tips of the branches, about 1in. long; calyx with an elongated-ovoid tube and an obtusely four-toothed limb; corolla infundibular-tubulose, with an elongated tube and a limb of four, rather short, spreading, valvate lobes; pedicels bracteolate. Leaves opposite, shortly petioled, linear-oblong, a trifle fleshy. P. calabrica-the only species in cultivation-is a pretty plant. It thrives in a gravelly soil, and is propagated by division.
P. calabrica (Calabrian). fl. red, in terminal, few-flowered corymbs. July. l. oblong, obtuse, rather smooth, pale beneath, scabrous on the edges and keel; stipules solitary on both sides. Stem much branched; branches clothed with velvety down. h. 6in. 1820. SYNS. Asperula calabrica, Ernodea montana (S. F. G. 143).