Turnera
(dedicated by Linnaeus to the memory of William Turner, author of a "New Herbal," 1551; he died in 1568). Including Piriqueta. ORD. Turneraceae. A genus comprising about seventy species of stove herbs, sub-shrubs, or shrubs, all tropical American, with the exception of one found in South Africa. Flowers yellow, axillary, solitary, rarely racemose or fascicled; calyx five-parted; petals five, inserted in the throat of the calyx; stamens five, inserted below the petals; peduncles free or connate with the petioles. Leaves scattered, entire, serrated, or sub-pinnatifid, often biglandular at base. Most of the Turneras have a weedy aspect, but those here given are rather pretty subjects when in flower. They thrive in any light soil. Propagation may be effected by seeds, which are freely produced; the shrubby species may also be increased by cuttings, inserted under a hand glass, in heat; and the herbaceous perennials either by cuttings or by divisions. T. trioniflora (Ketmia-flowered). A synonym of T. ulmifolia elegans. T. ulmifolia (Elm-leaved).* West Indian Holly or Sage Rose. fl. almost sessile, about the size of those of Reinwardtia trigynum; peduncles bibracteate, connate with the petioles. June to September. l. oblong, acute, serrated, pubescent above, white-tomentose beneath, biglandular at base. h. 2ft. to 4ft. South America, 1733. Perennial herb. (B. M. 4137.) T. u. angustifolia (narrow-leaved). l. oblong-lanceolate. (B. M. 281, under name of T. angustifolia.) T. u. cuneiformis (wedge-shaped). fl., claws of the petals brownish. l. obovate-cuneate, coarsely serrated. h. 1ft. to 3ft. Brazil, 1821. T. u. elegans (elegant). fl. sessile, as large as those of the Bladder Ketinia; petals pale yellow or sulphur-coloured, with purplish-brown claws. All the year. l. oblong-lanceolate, coarsely serrated, cuneate at base, quite entire, pubescent. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Brazil, 1812. SYN. T. trioniflora (B. M. 2106).
