Stenanthera
(from stenos, narrow, and anthera, an anther; the filaments are broader than the anthers, which causes the latter to appear narrow). ORD. Epacrideae. A small genus (two species) of beautiful, greenhouse, evergreen shrubs, now included, by Bentham, under Astroloma; both are natives of Australia. Flowers axillary, solitary; corolla tube without tufts of hairs or fringed scales inside; filaments much flattened. Leaves linear, with revolute margins. The species thrive best in a compost of one-third sandy loam, and two-thirds very sandy peat. The fine roots of the plants are injured by the application of much water; consequently, ample drainage must be provided in the pots. Propagation may be effected by cuttings, taken from the young shoots, and inserted in sand, under a glass, in heat. S. ciliata (ciliated). fl. red, almost sessile; sepals obtuse; corolla tube nearly or quite 3/4in. long; bracts very small. April. l. spreading, linear, tapering into a short point, serrulate-ciliated, convex, with recurved margins, crowded and 1/4in. long, or more distant and 1/2in. long. Stems prostrate or diffuse. 1836. The correct name of this plant is Astroloma longiflorum.
S. pinifolia (Pine-leaved).* fl. sessile and solitary in each axil, but often crowded at the bases of the branchlets; bracts several, inner ones 1/4in. to 1/3in. long; corolla about 3/4in. long, reddish at base, passing into yellow, with green tips. May. l. crowded, very narrow-linear, rigidly pointed, with revolute, scabrous margins, about 1/2in. long. h. 2ft. to 3ft. (or small and diffuse). 1811. (B. R. 218.)