Erect herbs, with simple stems and small alternate scale-like leaves. Tube of the perianth strongly 3-angled or 3-winged, the 3 outer lobes longer than the inner. Stamens 3, opposite the inner perianth-lobes. Filaments very short; connective of the anthers prolonged beyond the sacs into a 2-cleft crest. Ovary 3-celled, with 3 thick 2-lobed central placentae; stigmas globose or 2-lobed. Capsule crowned by the perianth, opening by irregular lateral ruptures. [In honor of Johann Burmann, Dutch botanist of the eighteenth century.]

About 20 species, natives of warm regions. Besides the following, another occurs in the southeastern States. Type species: Burmannia disticha L.

1. Burmannia Biflora L. Northern Burmannia

Fig. 1353

Burmannia biflora L. Sp. PI. 287. 1753-Tripterella coerulea Nutt. Gen. 1: 22. 1818.

Stems very slender, 2'-6' high, from a few fibrous roots, simple or forked above. Flowers 1 or several, often 2, terminal. Angles of the perianth-tube conspicuously winged, the outer lobes ovate, acute, the inner linear and incurved; seeds very numerous, oblong-linear, sparingly striate, escaping through irregular fissures in the sides of the capsule.

In swamps and bogs, Virginia to Florida and Louisiana. Sept.-Nov.