Triolena
(from treis, three, and olene, the arm; alluding to the three processes from the base of the anthers). ORD. Melastomaceae. A small genus (three species) of nearly glabrous, pilose or paleaceous, stove herbs, natives of Mexico, Venezuela, and New Grenada. Flowers disposed in scorpioid racemes or spikes; calyx tube short, at length three-winged, the lobes five; petals five, obovate; stamens ten, sub-equal; anthers dissimilar. Leaves ample, petiolate, ovate or oblong. T. scorpioides, a perennial with the habit of Bertolonia, is the only species introduced. It requires a compost of rich, sandy loam and leaf mould, and a moist heat. Propagated by seeds; or by cuttings, inserted in sandy loam, under a bell glass, in bottom heat. T. scorpioides (scorpioid-flowered). fl. disposed in scorpioid racemes at the tips of axillary peduncles; petals oblong-obovate. l. somewhat acuminate, lightly serrulated. Stem 1in. or rather more in length, somewhat woody. h. 6in. Chiapas, 1859.