Vespuccia
(commemorative, in honour of Amerigo Vespucci, 1451-1512, after whom America is named). Hydrocleis is now the correct name of this genus. ORD. Alismaceae. A small genus (three or four species) of highly glabrous, stove, aquatic herbs, inhabiting tropical South America. Flowers solitary, large, hermaphrodite, on long, thick peduncles; perianth segments six, the three outer ones (sepals) persistent, the three inner ones (petals) yellow, larger, very slender, deciduous; stamens numerous, hypogynous, in many series. Leaves fascicled, floating, ovate- or cordate-orbicular, the nerves converging at the apex; petioles thick, sheathing at base. V. Humboldtii, the only species calling for description here, is of easy culture in a tub or cistern of water. It may be readily increased by seeds, or by runners. V. Humboldtii (Humboldt's). fl., sepals narrow-ovate, obtuse; petals broadly obovate-cuneate, ample; stamens numerous, fertile or sterile; peduncles springing from the nodes, one-flowered. May. l., both radical and cauline ones broadly ovate or sub-orbicular, obtuse, loosely cordate at base, 2in. to 3 1/4in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2 3/4in. broad, coriaceous; petioles terete, 4in. to 6in. long. Venezuela to Buenos Ayres. SYN. Limnocharis Humboldtii (B. M. 3248; B. R. 1640). Hydrocleis Commersoni is now the correct name of this plant.