BASTARD FLOWER-FENCE, a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the decandra clas of plants. In the natural method, it belongs to the 33rd order, Lomentaceæ. The characters are: The calyx is a perianthium consisting of one very small five-toothed leaf. The corolla consists of five bell-shaped lanceolate fleshy petals, convex within and concave under. The stamina have ten erect subulate filaments shorter than the corolla; the anthers are roundish, incumbent, bearing a globular gland on the exterior top. The pistillum has a long gibbous germen; the styli subulate the length of the stamina; the stigma simple. The pericarpium is a long compressed membranous legumen. The seeds are very numerous, roundish, and remote.

Only one species of this plant is known in Britain; but there is a variety, with scarlet seeds; which, however, is rare, and grows very slowly. It is a native of India, and rises to a considerable height. It is as large as the tamarind tree; spreads its branches wide on every side, and makes a fine shade; for which reason, it is frequently planted by the inhabitants in their gardens or near their habitations. The leaves of this tree are doubly winged, the flowers of a yellow colour, and disposed in a long bunch. These are succeeded by long twisted membranaceous pods, including several hard compressed seeds, of a beautiful scarlet, or shining black, colour. This plant must be raised in a hot-bed, and kept during winter in a stove.