Schismatoglottis
(from schisma, schismatos, deciduous, and glotta, a tongue; the limb of the spathe soon falls off). SYN. Zantedeschia (of Koch). ORD. Aroideae (Araceae). A genus of about fifteen species of stove, stoloniferous herbs, natives of the Malayan Archipelago. Spathe cylindrical, the tube convolute, scarcely constricted at throat, the lamina apiculate or acuminate; spadix sessile, inappendiculate, included in the spathe, constricted at or below the middle; male inflorescence cylindrical or club-shaped; female shorter or narrower, cylindrical or conical; peduncles solitary or fascicled, shorter than the petioles. Leaves oblong-or ovatecordate, rarely hastate or lanceolate, often marbled or spotted; petioles sheathing at base. Caudex short. The introduced species are described below. They require a moist atmosphere, and an abundance of water and shade. A well-drained compost of rich, sandy loam, fibry peat, and leaf mould, is most suitable. Propagation may be effected by division.
S. crispata (curled).* fl., spathe green at the persistent, basal part, creamy-white and open in the upper, deciduous part; inflorescence sub-sessile. l. cordate-oblong, shortly cuspidate, dark green above, with a broad, irregular, greyish band on each side of the midrib, midway between it and the margin, or with greyish stripes running from the midrib between the veins; petioles with crisped, transparent edges. Borneo, 1881.for which we are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons. (B. M. 6576.) S. decora (comedy). A synonym of S. pulchra.
S. latifolia (broad-leaved). A synonym of S. rupestris. S. Lavallei (Lavalle's). l. bright green on the upper surface, variegated with irregular, greyish blotches, light green below. Borneo and Sumatra. (I. H. xxviii. 418.) Of this pretty, variegated Aroid, the following are two distinct varieties:
S. L. immaculata (unspotted). l. of a uniform, unspotted, bright green above; under surface and petioles vinous-purple. Java, 1882. (I. H. 468, under name of S. L. Lansbergiana.) S. L. purpurea (purple).* l. bright green above, and blotched as in the type; under surface and petioles of a deep vinous-purple Sumatra, 1882. S. longispatha (long-spathed).* fl. curious in structure, the most conspicuous part being the small, yellowish-green spadices. l. obliquely ovate, about 4in. long, lightish green, marked with a feathered, central band of silvery-grey, through which runs the distinct green midrib; petioles as long as, or longer than, the blades. Stems short, erect, tufted, spreading by short rhizomes. Borneo, 1881., for which we are indebted to Mr. Wm. Bull. (I. H. 466.) S. neoguineensis (New Guinea).* fl., spathe pale greenish, with a narrowly ellipsoidal, obscurely trigonous tube 1in. long, and an acuminate limb 1 1/2in. long; inflorescence solitary in the axils of the leaves; scapes 1 1/2in. to 3in. long, inclosed in the sheaths of the petioles. l. ovate, acute, deeply cordate at the base; upper surface bright green, marked in a very irregular manner with large, pale yellowish-green blotches; petioles 9in. to 12in. long, terete, sheathing at the base. New Guinea, 1879. (I. H. 380, under name of Colocasia neoguineensis.) S. picta (painted). fl., spathe tube obliquely ovoid-oblong, the lamina greenish-yellow, gaping, shortly cuspidate; male inflorescence of a pale sulphur colour. l. cordate-ovate, contracted into a cuspidate acumen, having a feathered, greyish band running down the middle; petioles as long as the blades. Java, 1864.
S. pulchra (pretty).* l. obliquely oblong, acute, cordate at base, 4in. to 5in. long, 1 3/4in. to 2 1/2in. broad, of a peculiar glaucous-green above, covered with irregular, silvery-green spots. Borneo, 1884. A charming little foliage plant. (L. H. 520.) SYN. S. decora.
S. rupestris (rock-loving). fl., spathe yellow, the tube oblongovoid, the lamina scarcely opening; peduncles many. l. ovate, acute, deeply cordate, the lobes semi-ovate; petioles longer than the blades, sheathing about one-third their length, slightly terete above. Caudex thick. Java, 1882. SYN. S. latifolia.
S. siamensis (Siam). l. ovate, acuminate, glossy-green, spotted with white. This plant, from its comparatively small size and neat habit, is very useful for decorative purposes. Siam, 1884.
S. variegata (variegated).* fl., spathe having a glaucous-green tube, and a pale yellowish-green, boat-shaped lamina; peduncles short, but longer than the spathe. l. oblong-lanceolate, obtuse or scarcely rounded at base, narrowed and long-cuspidate at apex, dark green, with a broad, silvery, central band beneath; petioles half the length of the blades, rather broadly sheathing at base. Borneo 1862. Plant stemless.
