An Anomalous Ovary

While engaged in a study of the Araceae the writer undertook to study some specimens of Stenospermation popayanense, which were kindly supplied by Mr. Fred J. Seaver, of the New York Botanical Gardens. The genus in question is described by all writers on the subject as having perfect flowers. Two species, other than the one mentioned, are described and figured by Schott in his Genera Aroidearum; but no description is there given of S. popayanense. The two species described have a unicarpellate ovary, with extremely thick wall, and four hypogenous stamens surrounding it. In one of the species, however, the filaments cling to the wall of the ovary so that the anthers appear to be sessile and epigynous, and in both the stamen is greatly reduced. S. popayanense is mentioned by Ender in his Index Aroidearum, but is not described. De Caudolle mentions it as having hermaphrodite flowers