LAFOENSIA (named after the Duke of Lafoens, 1719-1806, once President of the Lisbon Academy of Science). SYN. Calyplectus. ORD. Lythrarieae. A small genus (about six or eight species have been described) of glabrous stove trees or shrubs, natives of Brazil and New Grenada. Flowers large, solitary and axillary, or often in short terminal panicles. Leaves opposite, oblong or obovate, acute or obtuse, entire, shining, glandular at the apex. Only one species has been introduced into this country. For culture, see Lagerstromia. LAFOENSIA microphylla (small-leaved). fl. reddish-brown, showy, large. l. elliptic, leathery, shortly stalked. Brazil, 1847.