Veslingia
(named after John Vesling, 1598-1649, a traveller in the East, and Professor of Botany at Padua). SYNS. Guizotia (the proper name, according to Bentham and Hooker), Ramtilla. ORD. Compositae. A small genus (three species) of tropical African, stove, annual herbs. Flower-heads yellow, at the tips of the branches or pedunculate in the upper axils, heterogamous; involucral bracts somewhat biseriate; receptacle convex or conical; ray florets ligulate, three-toothed at apex; achenes glabrous. Leaves opposite or the upper ones alternate, entire or toothed. Only one species calls for description here. It thrives in any rich soil, and may be increased by seeds. V. sativa (cultivated). fl.-heads golden-yellow, 2in. across, rather handsome; involucre simple, of five leaflets. August and September. l. amplexicaul, cordate-lanceolate, remotely serrated. h. 6ft. 1806. SYN. Verbesina sativa. (B. M. 1017.) Guizotia oleifera is now the correct name of this plant.