MARY GUNN LIBRARY
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE j
MA,.mm£unn library
0000031065
South African National
Biodi versi ty Institute
Digitized by the Internet Archive
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THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF
SOUTH AFRICA.
A MAGAZINE CONTAINING HAND-COLOURED FIGURES WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
FLOWERING PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO SOUTH AFRICA.
EDITED BY
I. B. POLE EVANS, C.M.G., M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S.,
dfjtEf, iBtbision of ISotang anti -|flant ^atfjologp, Brpartmrnt of agrkultnrr, Pretoria;
anti director of tfje Botanical Sutbcg of tfjc ffinion of Sautf) africa.
VOL. VI.
The veld which lies so desolate and hare
Will blossom into cities white and fair,
And pinnacles will pierce the desert air,
And sparkle in the sun.
R. C. Macfie’s “ Ex Unit ate Vires.”
LONDON :
L. REEVE & CO., Ltd.,
6, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON.
SOUTH AFRICA:
THE SPECIALTY PRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA, Ltd.,
P.O. BOX 3958, JOHANNESBURG ; P.O. BOX 388, CAPETOWN
1926.
[All rights reserved.]
I
201.
X.A.Lansdell del.
Plate 201.
ALOE KRAPOHLIANA.
Little Namaqualand.
Liliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.
Aloe, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.
Aloe krapohliana, Marloth in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr. vol. i. p. 408.
This interesting and distinct species of Aloe was described
by Dr. R. Marloth in 1910 from specimens collected by
Mr. J. H. C. Krapohl near Pella in Little Namaqualand.
Recently Dr. Marloth collected the plant himself in the
Richtersveld, and it was from specimens which he forwarded
to the Division of Botany that the accompanying Plate was
prepared. It belongs to the section Acaules of the genus, all
the species of which are characterised by having either no
stem or a very short stem below the dense rosette of
leaves.
Description : — An acaulescent plant with a dense rosette
of leaves. Leaves 8 to 9 cm. long, 3 cm. broad at the base,
linear-oblong from an ovate base, acuminate, acute, tubercled
on the back, with a few spines on the upper surface, with
marginal teeth 2 mm. long and about 8 mm. apart. Peduncle
simple, 22 cm. long, covered with ovate brown membranous
bracts produced into a long filiform awn and with membranous
margins. Floral-bracts similar to the barren bracts. Pedicels
about as long as the bracts. Perianth-segments 3-5 cm. long,
5 mm. broad, the inner scarcely differing from the outer.
Filaments shorter than the perianth, filiform; anthers small.
Ovary 8 mm. long, terete ; style longer than the 'perianth ;
stigma simple. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2996.)
Plate 201. — Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, leaf showing dorsal
surface ; Fig. 3, section of leaf ; Fig. 4, longitudinal section of flower.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
202.
K.A.Lansdell del.
Plate 202.
PARANOMUS DIVERSIFOLIUS.
Cape, Province.
Proteaceae. Tribe Proteeae.
Paranomus, Salisb. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 171.
Paranomus diversifolius, Phillips, comb. nov. Nivenia diversifolia, Philips
and Hutchinson in Dyer, FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. i. p. 709.
In the Flora Capensis (vol. v. sect. i. p. 709) a note appears
giving the reasons for retaining the name Nivenia, R.Br.
rather than Paranomus, Salisb., but as many subsequent
publications have reverted to the older name of Salisbury and
kept the generic name of Nivenia for a genus of the Iridaceae it
was thought advisable to accept this. The species figured here
appears to be very rare, the only records being a collection by
Roxburgh (without locality) and by Niven near Tulbagh both
prior to the year 1800. Dr. J. Muir in August 1925 found the
species again in the Riversdale District on the north side of
the Langebergen facing the Little Karroo (Muir 3721). Dr.
Muir states it to be a shrub 4 to 6 ft. high and very rare, as he
had not previously collected it during the past ten years in
which h6 has explored the Riversdale District. We are
indebted to Dr. Muir for the fresh specimens which have
enabled us to figure this interesting plant for the first time.
The Plate shows the two types of leaves found on the plant,
a character common to six other species in the genus.
Description : — Branches glabrous. Leaves dimorphic ;
the lower bipinnately divided in the upper third, 4 to 7*5 cm.
long, the ultimate segments 3 to 8 mm. long, terete, obtuse ;
upper 1 to 2 cm. long, entire, spathulate-oblanceolate or
oblong, subacuminate, glabrous. Heads 4-flowered, spicate;
spikes sessile, 5 cm. long, cylindric, about 3 cm. in diam.,
surrounded by the upper leaves, which gradually become
bract-like with a green acumen and purplish thinner margins ;
bract subtending each partial head nearly 1 cm. long,
lanceolate, long-acuminate, densely rusty-villous outside.
Floral-bracts 1 to 1-5 cm. long, lanceolate-elliptic, long-
acuminate, densely villous with long hairs; perianth-tube
3 mm. long, glabrous; segments 1-5 cm. long; claws very
slender, rusty- villous ; limb 2-5 mm. long, linear, subacute,
densely villous. Anthers linear; hypogynous scales 2 mm.
long, linear, acuminate. Ovary ellipsoid; style 1-5 cm. long,
filiform, glabrous ; stigma 2 mm. long, cylindric, obtuse.
(FI. Cap.)
Plate 202. — Fig. 1, single flower; Fig. 2, fruit with remains of 6tyle.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
yo.y
K.A.Lansdell del.
Plate 203.
ERYTHEINA acanthocarpa.
Cape Province.
Leguminosae. Tribe Phaseoleae.
Erythrina, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. i. p. 531.
Erythrina acanthocarpa, E. Mey. Comm. p. 151 ; FI. Cap. vol. ii. p. 237.
The figure on the accompanying Plate should be com-
pared with that of Erythrina humeana on Plate 112, when the
differences between the two species will be clearly seen. In
E. acanthocarpa, as the name implies, the fruits are covered
with prickles, while in E. humeana they are unarmed. There
is also a striking difference in the size of the leaflets and the
size and colouring of the flowers. E. acanthocarpa is found in
the districts of Queenstown and Albany and generally through-
out Kaffraria. It is a shrub 3 to 6 ft. high and grows in
masses forming low thickets. The root is large and succulent,
and when dried forms a large corky mass, extremely light. The
local name for the plant is “ Tambookie Thorn.”
The specimen figured was collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans
near Queenstown in September 1925.
Description : — Shrub 1 to 2 m. high. Branches armed
with recurved prickles. Leaves 3-foliate ; petioles about
2 cm. long, white-villous, armed with recm ved prickles ;
leaflets 1-7 to 2-2 cm. long, 1-7 to 2-8 cm. broad, elliptic
to obcordate, shortly acuminate, with the midribs usually
with recurved prickles. Inflorescence an axillary raceme.
Peduncles 1 cm. long, white-villous. Calyx 1*5 cm. long,
campanulate, truncate, glabrous or thinly villous outside.
Vexillum 6 cm. long, velvety; alae 1*7 cm. long; keel 1-5 cm.
long. Filaments red ; anthers green, exserted. Ovary
stalked, villous; style terete, glabrous. Pods constricted,
armed wdth prickles. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2997.)
Plate 203. — Fig. 1, one of alae; Fig. 2, stamens; Fig. 3, pistil; Fig. 4,
fruit.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
20 4.
K.A.LanscLell del.
Plate 204.
ASCLEPIAS ADSCENDENS.
Transvaal, Griqualand East, Swaziland.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Cynancheae.
Asclepias, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 754.
Asclepias adscendens, Schltr. in Journ. Bot. 1896, p. 455 ; FI. Cap.
vol. iv. sect. i. p. 708.
This is the first time we have had an opportunity of figuring
a species of the genus Asclepias. In South Africa the genus
is represented by over 50 species widely distributed. The
plant figured on the accompanying Plate is very common in
the neighbourhood of Pretoria during the spring months, but
is also found in the Northern Transvaal at Barberton and south
as far as Mount Currie in East Griqualand. The flower has a
corona, a structure found in almost all the members of the
family Ascelpiadaceae, and the corona of Asclepias adscendens
should be compared with those of the species of Stapelia and
Ceropegia previously figured to get some idea of the range of
variation in the structure of this body. The flowers are very
sweet-scented, especially towards the evening.
We are indebted to Mr. C. A. Smith, B.Sc., for the specimens
which he collected at Pretoria in October 1925.
Description : — Plant 10 to 20 cm. high, branching at the
base into several erect or spreading-ascending stems, often
decumbent at the base, compressed, subhispid. Leaves
shortly petiolate, 1*3 to 4-5 cm. long, 0-4 to 1-4 cm. broad,
linear-lanceolate to ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute, broadly
rounded to cordate at the base, scabrous-pubescent, drying
pale-green; umbels solitary, terminal, semiglobose, 2-5 to
3 cm. diam., 12 to 20-flowered. Peduncles 1-3 to 6*5 cm. long,
subhispid. Bracts several, 3 to 7 mm. long, linear, acute,
pubescent. Pedicels 0*8 to T4 cm. long, hispid; sepals
3 mm. long, nearly 2 mm. broad, lanceolate or ovate-lance-
olate, acute, subhispid. Corolla-lobes reflexed or reflexed-
spreading, with up-curved tips, 4 to 5 mm. long, 3 to 4 mm.
broad, elliptic-ovate, subacute, glabrous on both sides or with
few hairs on the back; corona-lobes arising about 1 mm. up
the staminal column and attaining to the same level, erect, not
spreading at the tips, complicate-cucullate, subquadrate in
side view, not quite 2 mm. long and about as broad at the
truncate or truncately rounded top, rectangular or acute but
scarcely produced into teeth at the apex of the indexed sides,
abruptly or subtruncately rounded into the column at the
base, which has acute rim-like margins with a narrow keel
or wing near the inner margins curving outwards near the
base, without a tooth or other process wdthin the cavity.
Staminal column about 3 mm. long; anther-appendages
reniform or transverse, very obtusely rounded, indexed upon
the margin of the truncate pentagonal style-apex; follicles
mostly solitary, 5 to 6 cm. long, about 1-3 cm. thick, covered
with stout spreading or recurving subulate processes 4 to 5 mm.
long, glabrous or thinly pubescent. (FI. Cap.)
Plate 204. — Fig. 1, sepal ; Fig. 2, petal ; Fig. 3, pollinia ; Fig. 4, corona.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
205.
K.A Lansdell del.
Plate 205.
DIMORPHOTHECA aurantiaca.
Namaqualand.
Compositae. Tribe Calendulaceae.
Dimoephotheca, Moench. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 453.
Dimorphotheca aurantiaca, D.C. Prodr., vol. vi. p. 72 ; FI. Cap. vol. iii.
p. 421.
The species of Dimorphotheca figured on the accompanying
Plate was grown at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, from seed
supplied by the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch. It
is the species most commonly found in cultivation, and perhaps
the only species in the genus of which seed may be bought.
The species was first collected in Little Namaqualand by
Drege, and so far as we have been able to ascertain has not
previously been figured.
The plant makes a particularly handsome border, and as it
is so easily raised from seed, should certainly be cultivated to
a greater extent than it is at present.
Description : — A laxly much-branched shrub 20 cm. high,
with erect-patent branches, up to 15 cm. long; stems suf-
fruticose, 4-angled, puberulous, laxly leafy. Leaves linear to
oblong, alternate, 1-5 to 6 cm. long, 0-3 to 1-2 cm. broad,
somewhat fleshy, faintly ribbed, scarcely narrowing at the
base, obtuse at the apex, mucronulate, glabrous, the young
leaves minutely and softly ciliolate, with the margins widely
2 to 4-toothed, the angles between the teeth being very obtuse.
Heads solitary, terminal, peduncled. Peduncles 7 to 8 cm.
long, erect, more or less angled, widening appreciably under
the capitulum after pollination, puberulous. Involucre sub-1-
seriate; scales linear, much acuminate, dorsally pubescent,
with scariose margins. Receptacle 0*5 cm. in diam., nude,
flat. Ray-florets female, in 1 row. Corolla ligulate, bright
orange, with a purplish-blue base; lamina spreading, about
2*3 cm. long, very finely 3-toothed, cuneate at the base ; tube
of corolla 02 cm. long, terete, densely glandular hairy. Ovary
triquetrous, green, obconic, somewhat curved, glabrous, with
the angular margins distinctly toothed; style 4 mm. long,
cylindric, glabrous; branches 1 mm. long, purple, linear,
subacute. Disc-florets hermaphrodite, fertile. Corolla-tube
orange-coloured at the apex, 4 mm. long, at first shortly
cylindric, then gradually widening above, with a 5-fid limb
only sparsely glandular-hairy. Anthers 2*5 mm. long, entire
at the base, with a purple ovate-acute apical appendage,
becoming much exerted. Ovary very much laterally com-
pressed, obcordate, glabrous, with a wide entire thick-rimmed
marginal wing, notched at the apex ; style cylindric, glabrous ;
branches appearing truncate, penicillate, and capped by a
short obtuse apex.
Plate 205. — Fig. 1, ray-floret; Fig. 2, style-branches of ray-floret;
Fig. 3, disc-floret; Fig. 4, style-branches of disc-floret.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
zot>.
P. Badenhorst del.
Plate 206.
ALBUCA Macowani.
Cape Province .
Liliaceae. Tribe Scilleae.
Albuca, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 809.
Albuca Macowani, Bkr. in FI. Cap. vol. vi. p. 461.
This species was first collected by the late Dr. P. MacOwan
near Somerset East, and was subsequently collected by Dr.
S. Schonland near Grahamstown. It belongs to the section
Falconera of the genus characterised by having a prismatic
style, narrowed to the base and the stamens all bearing
anthers. Albuca Macowani is not a particularly attractive
plant, but a somewhat rare species of the genus.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens which flowered
at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in October 1925.
Description : — Bulbs forming a compact cushion : tunics
thick, truncate, not splitting into fibres. Leaves up to 20 cm.
long, terete, channelled down one side, glabrous. Peduncle
terete up to 30 cm. long. Raceme lax; bracts membranous,
up to 2-5 cm. long, lanceolate, acuminate. Pedicels up to
4 cm. long, ascending. Flowers yellow, banded with green;
outer segments 2*5 cm. long, oblong, spreading, inner con-
nivent, cucullate at the apex. Stamens all bearing anthers;
filaments winged at the base, three widening towards the apex
and bearing large anthers, three narrowing towards the apex
and bearing small anthers. Ovary 3-angled ; style as long as
the ovary, prismatic, narrowing towards the base. (National
Herb., Pretoria, No. 3022.)
Plate 206. — Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, cross-section of leaf;
Fig. 3, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 4, floral-bract; Fig. 6,
inner perianth-segment ; Fig. 6, stamens ; Fig. 7, pistil ; Fig. 8, cross-section
of ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
207
B Badenhorst del.
Plate 207.
HYDNORA AFRICAN A.
Cape Province, Namaqualand, S. W. Africa.
Hydnoraceae.
Hydnora, Thunb. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 120.
Hydnora africana, Thunb. in Vet. Akad. Handl. Stokh. 1775, 69, t. 2, figs.
1-3, and 1777, 144, t. 4, figs. 1-2; FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. 1. p. 486.
A most excellent figure and description of this plant is
given by Marloth in his Flora of South Africa (vol. i, p. 177,
PI. 44), and from this the following account is extracted.
“ The species grows principally on the roots of Euphorbia
mauritanica. The thallus or underground stem of the
parasite is stout 5- or 6-angled and warty on the surface,
spreading horizontally in the ground a few inches below the
surface. The whole plant is highly impregnated with tannin,
but each perianth-lobe bears a pure white spongy body which
is free from tannin and at the same time rich in albuminous
matter. This substance soon decays, producing the smell of
old meat, but even when quite fresh it acts as a bait for carrion
beetles. The fruit develops underground into a globular
body. Porcupines, baboons and jackals dig up the fruits, eat
the pulp and naturally carry the seeds to their haunts among
the bushes, thus securing the dissemination of the plant.”
The specimen figured was collected by Dr. I. B. Pole
Evans, C.M.G., near Worcester.
Description : — Rhizome horizontal, angular, tuberculate,
0*6 to 2 cm. in diam. ; tubercles obtuse ; roots absent ;
flower erect, sessile or shortly pedunculate; perianth fleshy,
tubular, flesh-coloured, externally rugose, smooth within,
13 to 15 cm. long; segments three or very rarely four, 5 to
7-5 cm. long, oblong-ovate, subacute, apices indexed, con-
nivent, margins 1*2 to 2 cm. thick, furnished with ciliate
ramenta, a large snow-white spongy body is present on the
inner side of each segment. Staminal column inserted below
the middle of the perianth-tube forming a very short sub-
cylindric ring. Anthers numerous, 2-celled, with the cells
opening extrorsely and introrsely. Ovary slightly broader than
the perianth-tube; stigma short, cushion-like. Fruit 7 to
10 cm. in diam., thick, fleshy, subtrilobed. (National Herb.,
Pretoria, No. 3023.)
Plate 207. — Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
tubercles on face of perianth-lobes ; Fig. 3, anthers.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
c
208
K.A.LansdeU del.
Plate 208.
ASCLEPIAS fruticosa.
Cape Province , O.F.S., Natal, Transvaal.
Asolepiadaceae. Tribe Cynancheae.
Asclepias, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 754.
Asclepias fruticosa, Linn. Sp. PI. ed. 1, 216; FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i.
p. 691.
Asclepias fruticosa, commonly known as the “ melkbos,”
is one of the commonest plants over large areas in South
Africa during the summer months. Like many other members
of the family it contains a milky latex, and hence the name
“ melk-bos ” (milk-bush).
The fruits contain many seeds, each with a tuft of long silky
hairs, and on this account the plant is mistaken by many people
for a species of wild cotton. The hairs of the seed have been
investigated with the view to ascertaining whether they could
be used in place of kapok, but as they lack certain character-
istics of true kapok can only find a local use for stuffing
cushions, etc. The bark yields a most excellent fibre, but
owing to mechanical difficulties in separating it from a
gummy substance in the stem, it has not been put to any
practical use.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens collected on vacant
ground near the Division of Botany, Pretoria.
Description : — A shrub 1 to 3 ’3 m. high. Branches erect,
puberulous. Leaves more or less ascending ; petiole 4 to 8 mm.
long ; blade 5 to 15 cm. long, 0*4 to 2 cm. broad, linear or linear-
lanceolate, acute or acuminate, mucronate, or rarely aristate,
cuneate-acute at the base, with revolute margins, glabrous or
minutely puberulous; umbels pedunculate, lateral at the
nodes, racemose, 6 to 10-flowered. Peduncles 2 to 4 cm. long,
pubescent or puberulous; bracts 7 to 9 mm. long, linear-
subulate, puberulous, deciduous; pedicels 1*2 to 2 cm. long,
puberulous; sepals 3 to 4 mm. long, lanceolate, acuminate,
pubescent or puberulous. Corolla-lobes reflexed, 6 to 8 mm.
long, 4 mm. broad, ovate-oblong, obtuse, glabrous on both
sides, usually but not always ciliate along one margin. Corona-
lobes arising about 1 mm. above the base of the staminal
column and reaching its summit, erect, compressed-cucullate,
subrectangular in side view, with the apical angles of the sides
produced into recurving narrowly falcate teeth, rising con-
siderably above the rest of the lobe, their tips incurved to-
wards each other; margins of the sides narrowly winged
outside; no tooth or horn within; follicles 5 to 7-5 cm. long,
ovoid, tapering into a beak, minutely tomentose and beset
with bristles, which are nearly or quite glabrous.
Plate 208. — Fig. 1, sepal; Fig. 2, petal; Fig. 3, corona; Fig. 4, side
view of one of corona-lobes.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
209.
K.A.La-nsdeil del.
Plate 209.
EUPHORBIA ESCULENTA.
Cape Province.
Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.
Euphorbia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 258.
Euphorbia esculenta, Marloth in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr. vol. i. p. 319 ;
FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. ii. p. 310.
The Euphorbia figured is known by the local name of
“ vingerpol,” and is considered by stock farmers to be a
valuable drought-resistant and nutritious stock food plant.
Dr. R. Marloth, who investigated the food-value, states
that the dry material contains twice as much nitrogenous
matter and thirteen times as much fat as mangolds, and that
the digestible carbohydrates amount to one-half of that crop.
The species is common in the Graaff-Reinet and Aberdeen
Districts of the Cape Province, but also occurs in the Jansen-
ville and Willowmore Districts. As will be seen from the
illustration, the plant is a dwarf succulent and has a large
swollen underground stem. The flowers are extremely sweet-
scented and the involucral-glands are bright green, not brown
as stated in the Flora Capensis.
The specimen figured was grown at the Division of Botany,
Pretoria and flowered in October 1925.
Description : — Dwarf, succulent, spineless, up to 18 cm.
high; body of plant cylindric-obconic ( ?), 10 cm. in diam.,
rising about 6 cm. above the level of the soil, producing at the
top numerous radiately spreading or erect or spreading-ascend-
ing branches arranged in four or five series around the circum-
ference of a truncate and slightly depressed tuberculate
central disc about 4-5 cm. in diam. Branches up to 45, 4 to
20 cm. long, 1-5 to 2 cm. thick, cylindric, tuberculate (often
smooth near the bases), bright green, glabrous; tubercles
oblong to hexagonal, obtusely 6-angled, 0-3 to 1-2 cm. long,
0*2 to 0-5 cm. broad, 0-2 to 0-4 cm. prominent, with the leaf-
scars centrally placed or (near the bases) situated nearer the
anterior margins of the tubercles. Peduncles greenish-white,
5 to 8 mm. long, solitary in the axils of the tubercles of the
branches, erect-ascending, stout, bearing a sweet-smelling
inflorescence and three to five small bracts, 3 mm. long, 1-5 mm.
broad, with scarious-ciliate margins, glabrous ; involucre
cup-shaped, 6 mm. in diam., densely white-woolly inside,
glabrous externally, with five glands and five rounded emar-
ginate densely white hairy lobes. Glands obreniform, some-
what wrinkled, 2 mm. in their longer diam., vertically deflexed,
bright green, glabrous. Anthers 2-thecous, many; thecae
subglobose; filaments slender, 1-5 to 2 mm. long, jointed to a
slender pedicel and soon falling away from it. Ovary globose,
3-celled, included, shortly stipitate, with a single ovule in
each chamber, glabrous ; styles united into a common column,
2 mm. long, then 3-branched, ascending-spreading above,
with 2-lobed somewhat swollen tips, entirely glabrous.
(National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2998.)
Plate 209. — Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, inflorescence; Fig. 3,
bract ; Fig. 4, male flower consisting of one stamen ; Fig. 5, female flower,
consisting of a pistil only.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
/
£
210.
K.A.Lansdell del.
Plate 210.
PACHYCARPUS schinzianus.
Orange Free State, Transvaal.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Cynancheae.
Pachycarpus, E. Mey. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 753
(partly).
Pachycarpus schinzianus, N.E. Br. ; FI. Trop. Afr. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 376 ;
FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 727.
This beautiful member of the family Asclepiadaceae is a
very conspicuous object in the veld during the early summer
months. The plant grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet and has a
long thick underground stem. In winter the aerial parts die
down and the plant undergoes a resting period until the
following spring. The colour of the flower varies from a pure
white and cream-coloured to a very pale pink, but all have the
dark blotch on the inner face of the petals. In habit the plant
is rather stiff, but the size and beauty of the flowers more than
compensate for this.
The specimen figured on the accompanying Plate was
collected in the veld near Pretoria in October 1925 by Mr. C. A.
Smith, B.Sc.
Description: — Herb up to 0-5 m. high; stems often
solitary, simple or with one branch at the base, stout, more or
less scabrous. Leaves shortly petiolate, 5 to 11 cm. long,
1 to 4 cm. broad, linear-lanceolate, lanceloate, or elongate-
ovate, acute to subobtuse, broadly cuneate to subtruncate at
the base, rigidly coriaceous, glabrous above or more or less
scabrous on both sides, very scabrous and often wavy on the
margins; umbels 2 to 4 and subcorymbose or solitary and
terminal, pedunculate, 2 to 6-flowered. Peduncles 1*2 to 5 cm.
long, scabrous-pubescent. Bracts 0*6 to 1 cm. long, subulate.
Pedicels 1*2 to 2*5 cm. long ; sepals 1 to 1-5 cm. long, 4 to 6 mm.
broad, ovate-lanceolate, acute, and together with the pedicels
and bracts scabrous-pubescent. Corolla-lobes suberect, form-
mg a cup, recurved at the tips, 1-2 to 2 cm. long, 7 to 10 mm.
broad, ovate or oblong-ovate, acute, glabrous on both sides
or more or less scabrous-pubescent on the back at the tips,
white, purple-tinted at the tips on the back. Corona-lobes
arising at the base of the staminal column, 1 to 1*2 cm. long,
erect or slightly incurving upwards, white or pale lemon -
yellow with a violet-purple stripe down the inner face ; upper
half elliptic-lanceolate or dilated into a rather large concave
hood, obtuse or acute at the incurved apex, basal half linear-
oblong, bearing two contiguous fleshy deltoid erect acute teeth
not reaching to the top of the 5 to 6 mm. long staminal column.
Anther-appendages broadly ovate, acute or obtuse, inflexed
on the top of the style-apex, which is truncate with a central
star-like depression; follicles solitary, 7-5 to 11 cm. long,
2-5 cm. thick, lanceolate or fusiform, obtusely-pointed,
6-winged, glabrous. Seeds 5 mm. long, 2 to 2-5 mm. broad,
narrowly ovate or ovate-oblong, thick, with the margins much
incurved, forming a rather deep channel on one side, very
convex on the other, covered on both sides with minute
raised tubercles and lines, dark brown. (National Herb.,
Pretoria, No. 3005.)
Plate 210. — Fig. 1, sepal; Fig. 2, petal; Fig. 3, corona; Fig. 4, side
view of corona-lobe.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
2n.
P B&deriiorsl del
Plate 211.
CYRTANTHUS collinus.
Cape Province.
Amaryludaceae. Tribe Amabylleab.
Cyetanthtjs, Ait. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 729.
CyrtantJius collinus, Gawl. in Bot. Reg. t. 162 ; FI. Cap. vol. vi. p. 221
This figure should be compared with C. rotundilobus ,
N.E.Br., figured on Plate 37, when it will be at once apparent
that the two species are very nearly related, but may be
easily distinguished by the differently shaped perianth-
segments. So far as is known, the species has been collected
only in the Caledon and Alexandria Districts of the Cape
Province, and does not appear to be at all common. We
have not seen an authentically named specimen of the species,
but our plant agrees well with the description in the Flora
Capensis.
The specimen figured flowered at the Division of Botany,
Pretoria, but the original source of the plant is doubtful.
Description : — Bulb 3*5 cm. in diameter, produced into
a short neck and surrounded with fleshy leaf-bases. Leaves
two, contemporary with the flowers, 18 cm. long, 1 cm.
broad, linear, narrowing above, glaucous-green, obtuse.
Peduncle lateral, up to 42 cm. long, terete, green, finely dotted
with brown spots at the base. Umbel 12-flowered. Spathe-
valves two, 3 cm. long, lanceolate. Pedicels 1-5 to 4-5 cm.
long, erect, terete. Perianth 4 cm. long, funnel-shaped,
slightly curved, contracted above the ovary ; segments
1*5 cm. long, oblong. Stamens in two rows; filaments less
than 1 mm. long; anthers small. Style almost as long as
the perianth; stigma tricuspidate. (National Herb., Pretoria,
No. 3016.)
Plate 211. — Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, median longitudinal
section of flower; Fig. 3, part of style showing the stigmas.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
2/k
P. Badenhorst del.
Plate 212.
SANSEVIERIA aethiopxca.
Cape Province, Transvaal.
Haemadoraceae. Tribe Ophiopogoneae.
Sansevieria, Thumb. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 679.
Sansevieria aethiopica, Thumb. Prodr. PI. Cap. p. 65 ; N. E. Brown
in Kew Bulletin 1915, p. 230.
The genus Sansevieria was placed in the family Haetna-
doraceae by Bentham and Hooker, but is now usually regarded
as belonging to the family Liliaceae. The genus contains
54 species, chiefly confined to Africa, the neighbouring islands
and Arabia, but also occurs in Ceylon, India, Burma and
perhaps China. Five species are found in South Africa.
The genus is of some economic importance, as some species
yield an exceptionally strong fibre known as bowstring hemp.
The species figured on the accompanying Plate is used by
the natives for making cord, and another native species,
S. thyrsiflora, is a local remedy for piles.
Sansevieria aethiopica has been recorded from Griqualand
West, the Graaff Reinet, Uitenhage and Alexandria Districts,
and also from the Transvaal.
Our Plate was prepared from a specimen which flowered
at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in November 1925.
Description : — Stemless, with a creeping rootstock.
Leaves 13 to 30 to a growth, not 2-ranked, ascending-spread-
ing, somewhat rough, 13 to 50 cm. long, 1 to 1-5 cm. broad,
about 2 to 3 mm. thick at the middle, linear or linear-lanceo-
late, sessile or only slightly narrowed to the base, gradually
tapering from the middle to a subulate point 2 to 3 cm. long,
which, when young, is green, but very soon withers to white,
very concave down the face, dark green with a somewhat
bluish hue and more or less glaucous, sometimes transversely
banded with paler green; margins red or whitish (drying
red). Flower-stem 40 to 75 cm. high, 7 to 10 mm. thick at
the base, with 5 to 7 whitish membranous sheaths 2 to 7 cm.
long on the lower half, and a compact spike-like raceme of
flower-clusters at the upper half. Bracts spreading or re-
flexed, 5 to 10 mm. long, ovate-lanceolate, acute. Flowers
4 to 6 in a cluster; pedicels 4 to 6 mm. long, jointed above
the middle; tube 2 to 2*5 cm. long; lobes 1-4 to 2 cm. long,
white. ( Keiv Bull. 1915, p. 230.)
Plate 212. — Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, cross-section of leaf ;
Fig. 3, floral bract ; Fig. 4, median longitudinal section of flower.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
213.
PBadenhorat del.
Plate 213.
PTERODISCUS SPECIOSUS.
Cape Province , Transvaal, O.F.S .
Pedaliaceae. Tribe Pedalibae.
Pterodiscus, Hook. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 1057.
Pterodiscus speciosus, Hook, in Bot. Mag. t. 4117 ; FI. Cap. vol. iv.
sect. ii. p. 456.
The first record of this species was from the Magalies-
berg, near Pretoria, where it was collected by Burke almost
100 years ago. Specimens were sent by him to England
and flowered in the year 1844, and from these plants Sir
W. J. Hooker drew up his description and prepared the plate
for the Botanical Magazine. The family Pedaliaceae, to
which our plant belongs, is represented in South Africa, by
seven genera, but is more numerous in South America, and
several species native of the latter country are found in the
Union as weeds.
The plant has a large globose underground stem from
which the annual shoots bearing the flowers appear. As
will be seen from the accompanying Plate, the flowers are
large and showy and make a pleasing effect in a garden.
Many of the members of the family have peculiarly shaped
fruits, either winged or armed with spines.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens which figured at
the Division of Botany in November 1925.
Description : — Stem-base globose, up to 6*5 cm. in
diam. ; stem densely glandular like the whole plant when
young, 7*5 to 15 cm. high; leaves rather numerous, crowded
in the upper part of the stem ; linear to linear-oblong,
irregularly crenate-dentate to shortly pinnate-laciniate, rarely
subentire, 4 to 7-5 cm. long, 4 to 1-2 cm. (in cultivated speci-
mens to 2 cm.) wide, gradually narrowed into a short petiole.
Pedicels 4 to 5 mm. long, slender; calyx up to 4 mm. long;
segments lanceolate, acuminate. Corolla bright red-purple;
tube symmetrical or almost so, gradually widened from
above the base to the middle, then slightly constricted and
widened again towards the mouth, 4 to 5 cm. long; throat
villous; limb 3 to 4 cm. across. Filaments bearded at the
very base, otherwise glabrous, longer ones 1 to 1-2 cm. long;
ovule one in each cell. Fruit suborbicular, cordate at the
base, not or obscurely emarginate at the apex, 1-3 to 2 cm.
long, including the wings, which are 3 to 5 mm. broad. (FI.
Cap.)
Plate 213. — Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, median longitudinal section of
flower ; Fig. 3, stigmas ; Fig. 4. anther.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
m.
K.AXar,sdell del.
Plate 214.
STREPTOCARPUS Vandelbttrii.
Transvaal.
Gesneriaceab. Tribe Cyrtandreae.
Streptocarpus, Lindl. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 1023.
Streptocarpus Vandeleurii, Bak. f. et S. Moore in Journ. Bot. 1901,
p. 262 ; FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. ii. p. 442.
This rare species of Streptocarpus is recorded for the first
time from the Pretoria District, having been found on the
Magaliesberg by Mr. C. A. Smith, B.Sc., in December 1925.
It was collected near the Wonderboom in damp crevices on
steep cliffs. The only previous record is from Greylingstad
between Heidelberg and Standerton. As will be seen from
the illustration, the plant has a single prostrate leaf from
the base of which the branched inflorescence arises.
The plant should be an acquisition to the conservatory,
as it makes a very handsome show when in full bloom.
Our illustration is the first to be published of the species
and was made from the specimens collected by Mr. Smith.
Description : — Leaf 45 by 25 cm., obscurely crenate,
hairy on both surfaces; nerves 22 pairs. Peduncles 7 to
15 cm. long, stout. Cymes 25 cm. in diam., viscous-hairy,
up to 50-flowered. Corolla white, curved; tube cylindric,
3 cm. long; 3-lobed lip considerably shorter. Filaments
glabrous ; pollen globose. Ovary densely covered with gland-
tipped hairs. Capsule 2 in. long, when ripe very viscous
gland-hairy. {FI. Cap.)
Plats 214. — Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, longitudinal section
of flower; Fig. 3, pistil.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
■»<
Plate 215.
XYSMALOBIUM undxjlattjm.
Cape Province, O.F.S., Transvaal, Natal.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Cynancheae.
Xysmalobium, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 752.
Xysmalobium undwlatum, R. Br. in Mem. Wern. vol. p. i. 39;
FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 572.
This very common species of the family Asclepiadaceae,
which is extensively referred to in botanical literature, has
not, as far as we are aware, been reproduced in colour. It
is a robust plant up to 5 feet high, and has a fairly wide
range of distribution in South Africa.
The fruits are amongst the largest found amongst the
South African representatives of the family.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens collected by
Mr. C. A. Smith, near Koedoo’s Poort in the Pretoria District,
in December 1925.
Description : — Stems 1 to 1*75 m. high, stout, erect,
hairy-pubescent. Leaves more or less ascending, subsessile
or with very short stout petioles, 10 to 22 cm. long, 3 to 7 cm.
broad, elongated, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, or sometimes
ovate, obtuse with a short point, or subacute, rounded or
more or less cordate at the base, pubescent on both sides,
scabrid along the margins, which are often undulated. Umbels
several, the upper often crowded, many-flowered, globose,
4*5 to 6 cm. in diam. Peduncles 1 to 3 cm. long, erect, stout,
hairy-pubescent; bracts about 6 mm. long, subulate, pubes-
cent. Pedicels T3 to 2 cm. long, hairy-pubescent. Sepals
6 to 8 mm. long, 2’5 to 3 mm. broad, lanceolate, acute, pubes-
cent. Corolla globose-campanulate, 5-lobed nearly to the
base, 1-2 to 1-5 cm. in diam.; lobes 0*9 to T2 cm. long, 5 to
6 mm. broad, oblong, acute, pubescent outside, glabrous in
the concave lower part within, dull green (Rand), densely
bearded with white hairs 1 mm. long on the recurved tips.
Corona-lobes 3 mm. long, 3 to 5 mm. broad, scarcely half as
long as the staminal column, shortly spreading from its base,
then erect, broadly cuneate, obovate or transverse, sub-
truncate, or broadly rounded at the apex, fleshy, flat on the
back, thickened into a triangular mass or stout keel on the
inner face, dull white, tinged with purple externally (Rand) ;
staminal column 5 to 6 mm. long. Anthers subquadrate,
with their wings produced into a truncate tooth at or near
the base; anther-appendages elliptic or suborbicular, incum-
bent upon the stout convex or cushion-like style-apex.
Follicle usually solitary, 7-5 to 12 cm. long, 3 to 4 mm. thick,
obliquely ovoid, usually very obtuse, sometimes somewhat
tapering to a stout obtuse point, pubescent and thickly
covered with long filiform pubescent processes. Seeds 5 mm.
long, 2-5 mm. broad, convex on one side, flattish with thick
raised margins on the other, covered with raised irregular
lines and points on both sides, dark brown. (FI. Cap.)
Platb 215. — Fig. 1, sepal; Fig. 2, petal; Fig. 3, corona; Fig. 4, pol-
linia ; Fig. 5, follicle.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
2/6.
•J. J . Van N o uhiiy s del.
Plate 216.
HUERNIA LOESENERIANA.
I Fr.
Transvaal.
‘ I •
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapblieae.
Htternia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.
Huernia loeseneriana, Schlechter in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. vol. xx. Beibl. 51,
p. 55; N.E. Br. in FI. Gap. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 911.
This extremely rare species of Huernia was found on the
Magaliesberg, near Pretoria, by Mr. C. A. Smith, B.Sc. It
had previously been collected by Burtt Davy and by Schlechter.
In general appearance it resembles a Stapelia, several
species of which we have previously figured, but is at once
distinguished from that genus by the small teeth on the
corolla between the lobes. The corolla-limb is covered with
fleshy papillae.
Our Plate was prepared from the specimens collected by
Mr. Smith.
Description : — Stem erect or ascending, 2-5 to 6-5 cm.
long, acutely 4-angled, 1*2 to 2 cm. square, green, purple-
tinted at the tips; teeth deltoid, acute, 1*5 to 2-5 mm. long.
Flowers 1 to 2 together, near the base of the young stems.
Pedicels 0*4 to 1 cm. long. Sepals about 6 mm. long or
longer, subulate from an ovate base. Corolla campanulate,
with the tube widening upwards and gradually passing into
the spreading lobes, 2 to 4 cm. in diam. ; very minutely
asperate and brownish-purple outside, covered inside from
the middle of the tube nearly to the tips of the lobes with
short stiff compressed-conical obtuse processes, dull yellow,
covered with very crowded narrow broken transverse lines
and spots of dull brownish-crimson, and entirely of that
colour at the base of the tube but darker; tube about 1 to
2 cm. long, the lobes slightly shorter, broadly deltoid, very
acute; outer corona-lobes small subquadrate; inner corona-
lobes connivent-erect with diverging tips, much exceeding
the anthers, linear-subulate, thickened and knob-like at the
minutely scabrous apex, with a transverse ridge at the base.
Plate 216. — Fig. 1, cross-section of stem ; Fig. 2,
calyx and ovary ; Fig. 4, corona with anthers ; Fig.
portion of corolla showing papillae on the inner face.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
flower bud ; Fig. 3,
5, pollinia; Fig. 6,
2/7
P.Badenhorst del.
Plate 217.
BULBINE ASPHODELOIDES.
Cape Province , O.F.S., Natal, Transvaal.
Liliaceae. Tribe Asphodels ae.
Bulbine, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 784.
Bulbine asphodeloides, Boem. et Schultes , Syst. Veg. vol. vii. p. 444 ;
FI. Cap. vol. vi. p. 362.
This very common species of Bulbine does not appear to
have been recently figured. It has been largely collected
in South Africa and is recorded from the Cape Peninsula
through the coastal districts to Natal, the O.F.S. and the
Transvaal, as well as from several of the central districts of
the Union.
The plant grows in rather large tufts and is easily culti-
vated. The outstanding character of the genus whereby it
can be distinguished from all other South African members
of the family Liliaceae is the hairy filaments.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens which flowered
at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in November 1925.
Description : — A perennial acaulescent plant. Leaves
crowded, up to 30 cm. long, subterete, channelled down
the faces, dilated into a large membranous base, glabrous.
Peduncle up to 35 cm. long, bearing a somewhat dense raceme
in the upper half. Bracts hyaline, long-acuminate. Pedicels
up to D5 cm. long. Perianth-segments 8 cm. long, elliptic-
oblong, obtuse. Filaments densely villous. Ovary ellipsoid,
with usually only 1 to 2 ovules developed in each chamber.
Seed 3-angled, punctate. (National Herb., Pretoria, No.
3262.)
Plate 217. — Fig. 1, single flower; Fig. 2, stamen; Fig. 3, pistil; Fig. 4,
cross-section of ovary; Fig. 5, young seed.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
21H.
J.J. VanNouhuys del.
Plate 218.
EUPHORBIA Monteiri.
S.W. Africa, Transvaal.
Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.
Euphorbia, Linn. ; Benth. ei Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 258.
Euphorbia Monteiri, Hook. f. in Bot. Mag. t. 5534 ; FI. Trop. Afr.
vol. vi. sect. i. p. 526.
This interesting species of Euphorbia was described for
the first time in 1865 from plants which flowered in the
cactus-house at Kew. These were originally collected by
Mr. J. Monteiro in S.W. Africa.
A few years ago Judge Carl Jeppe, who has contributed
many rare plants to the Division of Botany, collected the
species at Lydenburg in the Transvaal, and this constituted
the first record of the species from the Union of South Africa.
Our specimen differs somewhat from the plate in the
Botanical Magazine by having narrower leaves, but that it is
the species E. Monteiri was confirmed at Kew, where our
plant was compared with the type specimen.
Our Plate was prepared from plants grown at the Division
of Botany, Pretoria.
Description : — Perennial. Primary stem about 0*35 m.
high, and up to 4-5 cm. in thickness, cylindric, tuberculate
with the conical persistent leaf-bases, simple or with a few
similar branches, fleshy, glabrous, leafy only at the apex,
naked below, resembling “ an old cabbage stump,” pro-
ducing around the apex annual deciduous leafy flowering-
branches 1-2 to 2-5 cm. long and 3 to 5 mm. thick, erect,
terete, not tuberculate, glabrous, glaucous-green. Leaves all
alternate, 5 to 15 cm. long, 0*6 to 3 cm. broad, those on the
fleshy stems linear to spathulate-oblong, obtuse or rounded
and apiculate at the apex, cuneately tapering from or below
the middle into a petiole 0*6 to 1 cm. long; those on the
flowering branches sessile or very shortly petiolate, narrowly
lanceolate or linear-oblong, acute or obtuse, apiculate, shortly
cuneate at the base, or occasionally like those on the fleshy
stems, all glabrous on both sides, glaucous-green. Stipules
none. Cyme terminal, umbel-like, 2- to 3-rayed, sometimes
accompanied by solitary rays in the axils of the leaves below ;
rays at first 4 to 9 cm. long, ultimately developing into
dichotomous cymes up to 20 cm. long. Bracts opposite, or
those at the base of the umbel-like cyme three in a whorl,
2 to 6 cm. long, 1*3 to 4 cm. broad, sessile, cordate-ovate,
acute or tapering to a long point, glabrous. Involucres on
peduncles 3 to 5 mm. long, campanulate, about 1 cm. in
diam., glabrous outside and within, with five glands and
five transversely rectangular lobes, many-toothed along the
truncate top, chocolate or dark brownish-red, with yellow
tips to the glands, which are 3 mm. long and 4 to 5 mm.
broad and palmately divided into 3 to 6 spreading linear
segments, thickened and minutely lobed at the apex. Ovary
with a small cupular calyx at its base exserted and recurved
on a pedicel becoming in fruit 8 to 10 mm. long, glabrous;
styles united for more than half their length, rather slender,
neither thickened nor bifid at the apex. Capside 9 to 10 mm.
in diam., divided into three broad, somewhat wedge:shaped
lobes by three deep grooves, glabrous. Seeds subglobose,
about 4 mm. in diam., greyish, with slightly depressed irregular
hieroglyphic darker markings, slightly viscid.
Plate 218. — Fig. 1, inflorescence; Fig. 2, longitudinal section through
inflorescence ; Fig. 3, fimbriate scale subtending stamen ; Fig. 4, cross-
section through ovary; Fig. 5, cross-section through leaf.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
K. A. L axis deli del.
Plate 219.
PACHYCARPUS concolor.
Cape Province, O.F.S., Transvaal, Natal.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Cynancheae.
Pachycarpus, E. Mey (under Gomphocarphus, R. Br. in Benth. et Hook,
f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 754.
Pachycarpus concolor, E. Mey, Comm. 210 ; FI. Cap. vol. iv.
sect. i. p. 729.
On Plate 210 we figured a species of Pachycarpus (P.
schinzianus) from which the above species differs in having
the flowers in lateral pairs at the nodes on the stem. The
flowers also differ in general colouring. The plant is found
growing on dry exposed stony hill slopes and, like so many
of our native perennial plants, has a large underground
stem. In appearance the plant is stiff with scabrid undulated
leaves, but the large and beautifully coloured flowers com-
pensate for the lack of beauty in the habit of the plant.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens collected by Mr.
C. A. Smith, B.Sc., near the Wonderboom Poort, Pretoria.
Description : — Stem 0*4 to 0-5 m. high, simple, stout,
more or less scabrous. Leaves spreading ; petiole 2 to 9 mm.
long; blade 4-5 to 13 cm. long, 1-3 to 4-5 cm. broad, oblong,
lanceolate, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, elongated ovate or
rarely elliptic-oblong, acute or obtuse, rounded, broadly
cuneate or subtruncate at the base, flat or wavy, nearly
glabrous above or more or less scabrous on the margins.
Flowers in pairs or on 2-flowered peduncles, lateral at the
nodes and terminal. Peduncle up to 6 mm. long. Pedicels
8 to 14 mm. long, roughly pubescent or scabrous. Sepals
8 to 14 mm. long, 4 to 9 mm. broad, ovate or ovate-lanceo-
late, acute, hairy-pubescent. Corolla-lobes campanulately
spreading or erect with recurved tips, 1-4 to 1*6 cm. long, 8 to
10 mm. broad, elliptic-ovate or elliptic-oblong, acute, glabrous
on both sides or slightly pubescent on the back, usually dull
violet or dark purple-brown, varying to (apparently) greenish
or yellowish-green with purple-tinted tips. Corona-lobes
variable, 8 to 10 mm. long, 4 to 6 mm. broad at the rhomboid
or ovate basal half, which is spreading and bears on its upper
side two erect thick and fleshy or (in dried flowers) thin and
wing-like contiguous keels 2 to 5 mm. high, 2 to 4 mm. broad,
usually subfalcate-deltoid viewed sideways, and in fresh
flowers as if pinched together at the top, rounded on the
dorsal margins and in dried flowers narrowly winged (from
shrinkage) on the basal margins; terminal half of the lobe
linear, linear-lanceolate, oblong, subovate or more or less
obtusely trilobulate obtuse, variable in length, erect or
incurving over the top of the keels, green or yellowish with
the keels purple-brown and with or without purple-brown
margins. Staminal column 4 to 5 mm. long; anther-append-
ages orbicular or broadly ovate, acute, inflexed over and
covering the truncate style-apex. Follicles solitary, the
immature specimens seen 6 cm. long, 2 cm. thick, ovoid-
lanceolate or stoutly fusiform, very obtuse, about 4- to
6-winged, not distinctly puberulous but thinly covered with
exceedingly minute point-like hairs.
Plate 219. — Fig. 1, sepal; Fig. 2, petal; Fig. 3, corona; Fig. 4, side
view of corona-lobe.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
220.
P BadentiorsL del.
Plate 220.
EUCOMIS UNDULATA.
Cape Province, O.F.S., Transvaal, Natal.
Liliaceae. Tribe Scilleae.
Eucomis, L’Her. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 813.
Eucomis undulata, Ait. Hort. Kew. i. 433, edit. 2, ii. 246 ; FI. Cap.
vol. vi. p. 476.
The first record we have of this plant in cultivation is
about the year 1760, when seed from the Cape was received
by P. Miller, Esq., from which he raised plants in the Chelsea
Gardens. In 1808 the species was figured for the first time
in the Botanical Magazine (PL 1083).
Among the South African members of the family Liliaceae,
the genus Eucomis is unique in having a coma of leaves above
the inflorescence. Some of the species have flowers tinged
with purple and make somewhat of a show in the garden,
but in the majority, as is also the case with the species figured,
the flowers are a pale green and consequently not very striking.
The genus consists of about 10 species, all native of South
Africa with the exception of one which is found in the highlands
of Central Africa.
Our Plate was prepared from a plant which flowered at
the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in December 1925.
Description : — An acaulescent herb 45 to 50 cm. high.
Bulb 10 cm. in diameter, truncate at the base, with numerous
white spreading roots arising in a ring. Leaves about twelve ;
35 to 38 cm. long, 6-5 to 7-5 cm. broad, lorate-oblong, obtuse,
thick and fleshy along the mid-rib, otherwise thin in texture,
indistinctly 12-nerved, with the margin undulated and finely
crinkled, glabrous. Inflorescence a dense raceme, about 11 cm.
long, 5 cm. in diameter, cylindric, with a coma of leaves at
the apex. Peduncle 15 cm. long, tapering towards the base,
glabrous. Floral-bracts less than 1 cm. long, broadly ovate,
acuminate, acute. Perianth-segments free almost to the base,
elliptic, with incurved apices. Filaments 6 mm. long, united
at the base into a saucer-shaped structure, tapering towards
the apex ; anthers versatile. Ovary sessile, subglobose,
furrowed, with many ovules in each chamber; style as long
as the filaments, tapering above from a cylindric base ; stigma
small, capitate. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 3288.)
Plate 220. — Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, floral-bract; Fig. 3,
a single flower; Fig. 4, perianth-segment showing attachment of stamen;
Fig. 5, cross-section of ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
22/
K-A-Lansdell del.
Plate 221.
ALOE NITENS.
Natal.
Liliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.
Aloe, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.
Aloe nitens, Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc. xviii. p. 170; FI. Cap. vol. vi.
p. 325.
The Aloe figured on the accompanying Plate is the tallest
of the arborescent species found in South Africa, growing to
a height of 18 to 20 ft. None of the literature dealing with
the genus Aloe has yet cited the locality in which the species
is found. On Plate 178 we figured Aloe rupestris, which is
found in Namaqualand, while the species here dealt with is
known from “ The Thorns ” in Natal, and in the bush near
Zululand where it was collected in July 1916. The two species
rupestris and nitens are very similar, but differ somewhat in
habit and in the dentation of the leaves. The most constant
distinguishing character, however, is found in the adult
flower. In the former species the exserted portion of the
stamens is longer than the perianth, while in the latter species
it is shorter.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens which flowered at
the Division of Botany in July 1925.
Description : — Stem up to 6 to 7 m. high. Leaves in a
rosette at the apex of the stem, up to 60 cm. long, 5 cm.
broad near the base, lanceolate, ovate, acuminate, with the
teeth usually more or less at right angles to the margins.
Inflorescence much-branched; racemes dense. Stamens ex-
serted less than the length of the perianth, otherwise as in
A. rupestris.
Plate 221. — Fig. 1, plant reduced; Fig. 2, longitudinal section of
flower.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
222.
PBadenhorst, del.
Plate 222.
PLUMBAGO capensis.
Cape Province, Natal.
Plumb agin ace ae. Tribe Plumb ageae.
Plumbago, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 627.
Plumbago capensis, Thunb. Prodr. p. 33 ; FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i.
p. 424.
This typical Cape shrub was first collected by Dr. Carl
Thunberg near the Kabeljans River in the Humansdorp
District. Its natural habitat is in the scrub of the eastern
districts, and though not actually a climber it is found scramb-
ling over shrubs. The species is often grown together with
Tecomaria capensis as a hedge, and the blue flowers of the
former blend harmoniously with the red flowers of the latter.
The calyx is covered with stalked viscid glands, and the
latter are usually stated to be an aid in seed dispersal.
The plant is easily cultivated and will withstand a fair amount
of frost. The Botanical Magazine for the year 1820 (Plate
2110) figures a plant which was grown in England the
previous year. , It is still, of course, a very familiar plant in
English greenhouses.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens * growing in the
garden of the Union Buildings, Pretoria.
Description : — Stem woody, subscandent, striate. Leaves
entire, oblong or oblong-spathulate, obtuse or subacute,
shortly mucronate, tapering downwards into a very short
petiole, about 5 cm. long and 2 cm. wide, glabrous. Spikes
about 5 cm. long; rhachis puberulous; bracteoles oblong,
acute, half as long as the calyx. Calyx 1 cm. long, pubescent,
also bearing in the upper part glands on stalks nearly 3 mm.
long. Corolla pale blue; tube 3 cm. long; limb 2-5 cm. in
* The example shown in this Plate is very poor compared with teh
handsome truss of flowers on greenhouse plants. — -J. H.
diam. ; lobes obovate, obtuse ; anthers blue. Capsule oblong-
clavate, rounded above, tapering and pentagonal below.
(FI. Cap.)
Plate 222. — Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, corolla laid open; Fig. 3, pistil.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
222.
K.A.Lansdeli del.
Plate 223.
MONADENIUM Lugardae.
Transvaal.
Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.
Monadenium, Pax in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. vol. xix. p. 126.
Monadenium Lugardae, N.E. Br. in Kew Bulletin 1909, p. 138 ;
FI. Trop. Afr. vol. vi. sect. i. p. 452.
The genus Monadenium, as described in the Flora of
Tropical Africa, consists of 23 species all found in Tropical
Africa. The species figured on the accompanying Plate is the
only one which is found in South Africa and only known from
the northern tropical parts of the Transvaal in the Pietersburg
District.
Our Plate was prepared from plants growing in the garden
of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, and which flowered in
June 1926.
Description : — Perennial. Stem simple or branched at
or near the base, succulent, terete, 10 to 54 cm. high, 1-5 to
2*5 cm. in diameter, with large rhomboid or hexagonal areas,
often sometimes sub-tuberculate, glabrous. Leaves succulent,
5 to 20 on the upper part of the stem, deciduous, leaving a leaf-
scar, 1-5 to 9 cm. long, 0-5 to 3*2 cm. broad, spathulate to
obovate, obtuse, sometimes abruptly acuminate and with a
short brown mucro, cuneate below, tapering into a very short
thick subcylindric petiole, or almost sessile, crisped-crenulate
on the upper margins, puberulous on both sides; leaf-scars
prominent, suborbicular, situated on the upper part of the
rhomboid areas. Stipules three to five (usually three), spine-
like, 1-5 mm. long, eventually deciduous and leaving a faint
scar. Inflorescence cymose, with one involucre 1 cm. long,
eventually with three involucres 1 to 1-5 cm. long; cymes
nodding, arising about 5 mm. above the leaf -insertion, massed
round the upper portion of the stems ; peduncles 3 to 5 mm.
long, subcylindric, fleshy, with its branches shorter and more
slender. Bract-cup 3 to 6 mm. long, 2 to 4 mm. in diameter,
oblique, obtusely and conspicuously notched at the apex,
flattish on the back, with two blunt keels, separated in front,
puberulous. Involucre subequalling the bract-cup, 2 to 3 mm.
long, cup-shaped, with an oblique horse-shoe shaped rim, with
two lacerated lobes at the opening of the horse-shoe. Anthers
oblong to orbicular. Ovary becoming much exserted on a
recurved stalk, furnished with serrated wings, glabrous ;
styles free, bifid at the apex, but sometimes cleft down to the
middle. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 3435.)
Plate 223. — Fig. 1, plant reduced; Fig. 2, a single cyme; Fig. 3,
bract-cup, enclosing an involucre ; Fig. 4 ovary ; Fig. 5, cross-section of
ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
3
J. J. van Nouhuys del.
Plate 224.
CARALLUMA Leendertziae.
Transvaal.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.
Caralluma, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782.
Caralluma Leendertziae, N.E. Br. in Ann. Transvaal Museum, vol. ii.
p. 47.
This Caralluma was described by Mr. N. E. Brown in
1909 from a specimen collected by Miss R. Leendertz near
Piet Potgieter’s Rust. Recently Mr. J. J. van Nouhuys, of
the Division of Botany, collected the species between Bandoliers
Kop and Pietersburg in the Northern Transvaal. According
to Mr. Nouhuys the colouring of the flower is variable. Plants
were seen with a dark purplish corolla and a light ochre
corona, or with a dark purplish corolla and a corona of the
same colour, or with a rust-coloured corolla and a dark
purplish corona.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens which flowered
at the Division of Botany in February 1926.
Description : — Stem 8 to 10 cm. high, thick, fleshy, 4-
angled, with the angles coarsely toothed. Peduncle 1 to 1-5
cm. long, bearing an umbel of three to five flowers, glabrous.
Sepals 9 mm. long, 3-5 mm. broad, ovate-lanceolate, long
acuminate, glabrous. Corolla 5 cm. in diameter, smooth on
the outside, densely rugose and covered with minute hairs on
the inner face, with the margin ciliate with long clavate
tremulous hairs; lobes 1-6 to 1-8 cm. long, 1*3 to 1-4 cm.
broad, spreading, flat, ovate. Outer corona 5-lobed; lobes
4 mm. long, spreading, somewhat 2-keeled above, 3-toothed
at the apex. Inner corona lobes 4 mm. long, laterally com-
pressed, 2-toothed at the apex, adnate to the base of the outer
corona.
Plate 224. — Fig. 1, longitudinal section through flower (corolla lobes
removed); Fig. 2, surface view of corona; Fig. 3, corona dissected out;
Fig. 4, side view of inner corona; Fig. 5, pollinium; Fig. 6, portion of
corolla-lobes showing hairs.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
225.
S. Gower del.
Plate 225.
ALBUCA CONVOLUTA.
South Africa.
Liliaceae. Tribe Scilleae.
Albtjca, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 809.
Albuca convoluta, Phillips, sp. nov. ; A. juncifoliae, Bkr. affinis sed stylis
staminibusque differt. Bulbus globosus. Folia ad 24 cm. longa,
convoluta, basi dilatata, glabra. Inflorescentia ad 24 cm. long, laxa.
Bracteae 1 -2-2-2 cm. longae, ovate, acuminatae, marginibus mem-
branaceis, glabrae. Pedicellus 2-4 cm. longus, glaber, apice articulatus.
Segmenta perianthii 1-7 cm. longa, 6 mm. lata, oblonga, apice cucullata.
Stamina 3; filamenta 1-1 cm. longa, ad 2 mm. lata, lineari-oblonga,
membranacea; staminodia 3; filamenta 1-3 cm. longa, 3 mm. lata,
lineari-oblonga, membranacea. Ovarium 1 cm. longum, 3-sulcatum ;
stylus 6-5 mm. longus, 3-sulcatus, basi angustatus. (Type, National
Herb., Pretoria, No. 3434.)
The species of Albuca figured on the accompanying Plate
was growing in the garden of the Division of Botany, Pretoria,
but without any record of the collector or locality where it
was originally found. It belongs to the section Eualbuca
of the genus characterised by having the three outer stamens
without anthers or the anthers rudimentary or barren. An
example of the section Falconera having all the stamens with
functional anthers was figured on Plate 206 (A. MacOwanii).
The genus Albuca has about 130 species, mainly African ;
of these 70 species are recorded from South Africa. On the
whole the species are very little known and all the South
African representatives require careful revision.
Description : — Bulb globose, without fibrous tunics.
Leaves about six to a plant, up to 24 cm. long, convolute,
expanded and sheathing at the base, glabrous. Peduncle
up to 48 cm. long, terete, glabrous. Inflorescence up to 24 cm.
long, lax. Bracts 1-2 to 2-2 cm. long, ovate, acuminate,
glabrous. Pedicels more or less erect, 2 to 4 cm. long, glabrous.
Outer 'perianth segments 1-7 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, more or less
oblong, obtuse, cucullate at the apex, with a broad many-
nerved brown band ; inner segments more membranous than
the outer, with a large hooded appendage at the apex, 5-
nerved. Inner stamens fertile ; filaments membranous, 1-1 cm.
long, 2-5 mm. broad above, gradually narrowed downwards,
constricted near the base, then again expanded. Anthers
versatile, 6 mm. long, oblong ; outer stamens without anthers ;
filaments membranous, 1*5 cm. long, 2 mm. broad, linear-
oblong, not constricted near the base ; anthers represented by
a small terminal appendage. Ovary 1 cm. long, oblong in
outline, bluntly 3-angled; style 6 mm. long, narrowing to
the base, bluntly 3-lobed, with each lobe hollow.
Plate 225. — Fig. 1, plant reduced; Fig. 2, longitudinal median section
of flower ; Fig. 3, bract ; Fig. 4, inner perianth -segment ; Fig. 5, outer
perianth-segment; Fig. 6, inner stamen; Fig. 7, outer stamen; Fig. 8,
pistil.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
2 26
PBadenhorat dal.
Plate 226.
CARISSA GRANDIFLORA.
Natal.
Apocynaceae. Tribe Carisseae.
Carissa, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 605.
Carissa grandiflora, D.C. Prodr. viii. 335; FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i.
p. 497.
This plant is the well-known “ Amatungulu ” of Natal,
where the fruit is much prized for making preserves. Accord-
ing to the late Dr. Medley Wood (see Natal Plants, vol. i.
p. 14) the favourite habitat is in the bush bounding the beach,
but in Natal it is largely cultivated as a hedge plant. Carissa
grandiflora has been successfully grown in Pretoria and pro-
duces fruit, but if too exposed is injured by a severe frost.
The white flowers are very fragrant.
The plant is a strong-growing shrub 10 to 15 ft. high,
very compact and, like many other members of the Family
A'pocynaceae, contains a milky juice. Carissa grandiflora has
been successfully cultivated in England, where it was intro-
duced by Mr. Cooper, who collected plants for Mr. Wilson
Saunders. The Botanical Magazine for the year 1877 pub-
lished a plate of the species which flowered in the Palm House
at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Description : — A glabrous shrub, up to 5 m. high, of
compact habit, with strong simply or twice bifurcate spines;
spines up to 4 cm. long. Leaves broad-ovate, rarely ovate-
lanceolate, rounded (rarely acute) at the base, mucronate,
2-5 to 7-5 cm. long, 2 to 5 cm. wide, coriaceous, dark green
above, paler below ; secondary nerves about six on each side,
like the veins very obscure, particularly below ; petiole
2 to 3 mm. long. Cymes terminal, few-flowered or reduced
to a single flower, sometimes in the fork of a spine ; pedicels
2 to 3 mm. long. Calyx 3 to 6 mm. long; sepals ovate to
ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, mucronate, margins revolute.
Corolla white, fragrant, very variable in size ; tube 8 to 12 mm.
long, hairy within ; lobes oblong to elliptic, narrowed towards
the base, 1-3 to 3 cm. long, overlapping to the left. Stamens
inserted slightly above the middle of the corolla-tube. Ovules
numerous. Berry ovoid, pointed, scarlet, up to 5 cm. long,
about 16-seeded; seeds plano-convex, rather flat, elliptic in
outline, 5 mm. long. (FI. Cap.)
Plate 226. — Fig. 1, a flower bud; Fig. 2, calyx; Fig. 3, longitudinal
section of flower.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
327.
S. Gower del.
Plate 227.
CAN A VALIA obtusifolia.
Cape Province , Natal.
Leguminosae. Tribe Phaseoleae.
Can a valia, Adans. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. i. p. 537.
Canavalia obtusifolia, D.C. Prodr. ii. 404 ; FI. Cap. vol. ii. p. 238.
In the year 1797 the first coloured plate of this species
was published by Jacquin, so that it has been known in
European cultivation for over 125 years. The plant is a
creeper and found in bush country from Natal through the
eastern districts, and has been recorded from the Albany
District, but is also found in most tropical countries. It is
sometimes cultivated for the sake of the pods.
The plant was collected near Durban and drawn by
Miss S. Gower.
Description : — A creeper, usually glabrous. Leaves pin-
nately trifoliolate ; petiole furrowed ; leaflets obovate, obtuse,
emarginate ; stipules small. Inflorescence a lax raceme,
peduncled, bearing the flowers in the upper half. Calyx
2-lipped; upper lip 2-lobed; lower lip 3-lobed. Vexillum
obovate, shortly bilobed; wings oblong-linear, obtuse, eared
at the base, shortly clawed; keel very similar to the wings.
Stamens monadelphous ; anthers uniform. Ovary pilose ;
stigma simple. Pod beaked.
Plate 227. — Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
calyx ; Fig. 3, standard ; Fig. 4, keel ; Fig. 5, one of wings ; Fig. 6, androe-
cium ; Fig. 7, gynoecium.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
228.
V
\
Plate 228.
ASCLEPIAS EMINENS.
Transvaal, O.F.S. Natal, Zululand.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Cynancheae.
Asclepias, Linn. ; Benth. et Hoolc. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 754.
Asclepias eminens, Schltr. in Journ. Bot. 1896, p. 453 ; FI. Cap. vol. iv.
sect. i. p. 685.
Asclepias eminens is a more or less decumbent plant,
branching close to the ground, and is not by any means a
common species. All the Transvaal and Free State records
are eastern localities with an affinity with the Natal and Zulu-
land flora; the specimens recorded from Johannesburg and
Pretoria must be regarded as outliers from the normal range
of distribution. The species is particularly attractive and,
like so many members of the family in South Africa, has a
large underground root.
Our Plate was prepared from specimens collected by
Mr. C. A. Smith, B.Sc., on Meintjes Kop, Pretoria.
Description : — Plant 13 to 25 cm. high, branching close
to the ground; branches usually more or less decumbent,
bifariously pubescent, with internodes 0*5 to 2*5 cm. long.
Leaves ascending, usually unilateral ; petiole 2 to 6 mm. long ; *
blade 2-5 to 11 cm. long, 2 to 5 mm. broad above the basal
auricles, linear, acute, shortly hastate, truncate or rounded at
the base, subcoriaceous, thickened along the flat or slightly
recurved margins, glabrous on both sides or thinly setulose-
scabrous on the midrib beneath. Umbels solitary on each
branch, terminal, pedunculate, 3-6-flowered; peduncle 1-3 to
7 cm. long, pubescent on one side; bracts 6 to 10 mm. long,
0*5 to 0*75 mm. broad, linear, acute, glabrous or sparsely
setulose-scabrous, deciduous ; pedicels 1 to 2 cm. long, pubes-
cent on one side. Sepals 5 to 8 mm. long, 1-5 to 2 mm. broad,
lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, acute, glabrous or with a few
hairs. Corolla-lobes very spreading or reflexed, 8 to 14 mm.
long, 2*5 to 6 mm. broad, lanceolate, acute or subobtusely
pointed, glabrous on the back, minutely papillate on the inner
face ; corona-lobes arising 1*5 to 3 mm. up and decurrent to the
base of the staminal column, and overtopping it by nearly or
quite half of their length, 6 to 10 mm. long, 1-5 mm. broad and
of nearly equal breadth throughout across the side, compressed-
complicate, with a small triangular cup-like mouth, erect,
recurved-spreading from a little below the apex, and, viewed
sideways, dorsally produced into a short deltoid point 1 mm.
long. Staminal column 6 to 7-5 mm. long; anther-appendages
elliptic or suborbicular, obtuse, indexed over the style-apex;
anther-wings 1 mm. broad, obtusely rounded at the lower
half. Follicles 9 to 11 cm. long, about 1 cm. thick, fusiform,
tapering into a long acute beak, smooth, glabrous. (FI. Cap.)
Plate 228. — Fig. 1, a single flower enlarged; Fig. 2, side view of
outer corona-lobe ; Fig. 3, pistil showing tho attached pollen sacs ; Fig. 4,
pollinium.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
229.
K.A Lana dell del
Plate 229.
HUERNIA TRANSVAALENSIS.
Transvaal.
Asclepiadaceae . Tribe Stapelieae.
Huernia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.
Huernia transvaalensis, Stent in Kew Bulletin 1914, p. 249.
In the Kew Bulletin cited above and facing p. 250 are
two excellent reproductions of this species prepared from
photographs taken by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., who
first collected the plant at Crocodile Poort in the Magaliesberg
Range in August 1913. The genus which we figure in this
publication for the first time may easily be distinguished from
Stapelia (see Plates 72, 121, 181) by the five small teeth alter-
nating with the corolla-lobes.
The discovery of this species in the Transvaal is the second
record of a species of Huernia occurring in this Province.
The plant was found by Prof. C. E. Bremekamp near Rooi-
kopjies, near Brits, in the Rustenburg District, and was
grown and flowered by Dr. A. J. T. Janse.
Description : — Stems deeply 5-lobed, glabrous ; teeth
ovate, about 1 cm. apart. Flowers arising in fascicles at the
base of the stem. Pedicels up to 2-5 cm. long, terete, glabrous.
Calyx-lobes 1 cm. long, subulate from an ovate base, acute.
Corolla-tube 1*5 cm. long, 1 cm. broad at the throat, campanu-
late, covered within with papillae from bulbous base, other-
wise glabrous; lobes 1-3 cm. long, 1-3 cm. broad at the base,
triangular, with chocolate and yellow markings on the inner
face, covered with very minute papillose hairs. Outer-
corona a crenate disc, consisting of five more or less distinct
bifid lobes; lobes with a broad purple pubescent margin;
inner corona-lobes overtopping the anthers, linear, subulate,
acute, swollen at a point level with the anthers, purple and
yellow.
Plate 229. — Fig. 1, cross-section of stem;
lig. 3, corona; Fig. 4, inner corona-lobe.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
Fig. 2, portion of corolla;
23a
K.A.Lansdell del
Plate 230.
BUPHANE disticha.
Caye Province, Natal, Transvaal.
Amaryllidaceae. Tribe Amarylleae.
Buphane, Herb. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 730.
Buphane disticha, Herb, in Bot. Mag. sub. t. 2578 ; Flora Capensis, vol. vi.
p. 242. Marloth, “ Flora of South Africa,” vol. iv. p. 112, fig. 33.
Our Plate illustrates the common “ gif bol ” or “ incwadi ”
which is widely distributed all over the Union. Burchell
mentions this plant in his Travels, and states that it was
well known to the Bushmen on account of the virulent poison
contained in the bulb. The plant was put to many uses
by the natives and old colonists, who used it as an antiseptic
for wounds, the scales of the bulb being dipped in oil or water
and placed on the wound. The natives have a superstition
that carrion birds eat the leaves and so prevent any ill effects
from eating putrid meat. The Bushmen mix the dried juice
of the plant with snake venom and use this to poison their
arrows. In Basutoland, before tin utensils were introduced,
the inside of the bulb was scooped out and used to warm milk
over a fire.
The plant flowers in early spring. It is common and
well known in South Africa, and has frequently been figured
in botanical publications. We are indebted for specimens to
General the Rt. Hon. J. C. Smuts, who collected them at
Irene, near Pretoria.
Description -.—Bulb 17 cm. in diameter (may sometimes
be 30 cm. or more in diameter). Leaves only fully developed
after flowers are formed, distichous, 13 cm. long, at length
becoming over 30 cm. long, 4 cm. broad at the base, tapering
to the apex from the broadened base, obtuse with an undulating
chartaceous margin, closely veined, glabrous. Peduncle 5 cm.
long in flower lengthening to 13 cm. in the fruit, 3 cm. broad.
convex on both sides, glabrous. Involucral-bracts two, 4*5 cm.
long, 3-7 cm. broad at the base, ovate, obtuse, brown, and
rigidly membranous, closely veined, glabrous. Inflorescence
very many-flowered; flowers sweet-scented. Pedicels 4 cm.
long, elongating in fruit to 13-5 cm., terete, glabrous. Perianth-
tube 6 mm. long, 4 cm. in diameter, more or less 3-angled;
lobes 2-6 cm. long, 3*5 mm. broad, linear, obtuse; the three
outer lobes hooded at the apex and with a tuft of papillae.
Filaments 3*4 cm. long, terete, glabrous ; anthers 2-5 mm. long,
oblong. Ovary 4 mm. long, turbinate, bluntly 3-angled, with
a single ovule in each loculus attached at the middle of the
placenta. Young fruit 1-5 cm. long, 1*1 cm. in diameter
above, turbinate, sharply 3-angled.
Plate 230. — Fig. 1, inflorescence showing only a few of the flowers;
Fig. 2, young leaf ; Fig. 3, plant reduced ; Fig. 4, portion of perianth ; Fig. 5,
perianth lobe ; Fig. 6, stamen ; Fig 7, style; Fig. 8, longitudinal section of
ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
K-AXansdell del.
Plate 231.
PROTEA CYNAROIDES.
Gape Province.
Proteaceae. Tribe Proteeae.
Protea, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 169.
Protea cynaroides, Linn. Mant. Alt. p. 190; FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. i. p. 595.
This handsome Protea is the largest of all the South
African species; specimens are frequently met with in which
the flower-head is almost 12 inches across. It is also unique
in the genus, as it is the only species known which has long-
petioled leaves. These and other characters found in the
species have necessitated a special section ( Cynaroideae )
in the genus to include this plant. As the species is found
in the vicinity of Cape Town, it is not at all surprising to
find that it was one of the earliest of the South African Pro-
teaceae known to European botanists and horticulturists, and
was amongst the 23 species figured by Boerhaave in 1720.
Protea cynaroides is found from the Cape Peninsula through
the Caledon, Swellendam, George, Knysna, and Oudtshoorn
Divisions to Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown, but has also
been recorded from the inland Divisions of Tulbagh and
Worcester. The size of the plant depends on the habitat in
which it is growing. In the valleys on Table Mountain bushes
5 to 6 ft. high may be found, while on the exposed flats between
Simon’s Town and Cape Point it is a very much smaller plant.
We are indebted to Mr. J. D. Keet of Knysna for the
specimen which has been figured on the accompanying plate.
Description : — A bush, up to 2 m. high or sometimes
acaulescent. Branches glabrous. Leaves petioled ; blade
5 to 13 cm. long, 5 to 9 cm. broad, varying from subrotundate
and obtuse to elliptic and acute, cuneate at the base, promi-
nently and reticulately veined on both sides, punctate,
glabrous; petiole up to 11 cm. long, terete. Head sessile.
13 to 20 cm. long and in diameter. Involucral bracts 12 to 13-
seriate ; outer ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acute, like the inner
at first more or less densely whitish or greyish-tomentose,
often at length glabrescent or the lowest quite glabrous;
inner lanceolate-oblong, acuminate, acute, mostly permanently
tomentose, exceeding the flowers. Perianth-sheath over 5 cm.
long, pubescent outside on the upper part, and pubescent to
villous within from the widened base upwards, particularly
along the sides, dilated, 7-nerved, faintly 3-keeled and glabrous
below ; lip 2 mm. long, tomentose, produced into three tomen-
tose or villous awns ; lateral awns 5 mm. long ; median awn
5 mm. long. Stamens all fertile; filaments 7 mm. long,
flattened; anthers linear, 1 cm. long; apical glands 1-75 mm.
long, oblong, obtuse. Ovary 5 mm. long, oblong, covered
with long whitish hairs; style 6-5 mm. long, laterally much
flattened, slightly curved inwards, pubescent, at least below;
stigma 9 mm. long, filiform, obtuse, kneed and bent at the
junction with the style. — Flora Capensis. (National Herb.,
Pretoria, No. 2633.)
Plate 231. — Fig. 1, receptacle; Fig. 2, a single flower; Fig. 3, back
and side views of portion of perianth, showing awns ; Fig. 4, front view of
same enlarged ; Fig. 5, pistil.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
232
74. M P'Zc/e ciel-
Plate 232.*
DISA PICTA.
Cape Province.
Orchid ace ae. Tribe Ophrydeae.
Disa, Berg ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 630.
Disa picta, Sond. in Linnaea, vol. xix. p. 99 ; FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. iii. p. 218.
The geographical range of this species extends from the
Swellendam to the Humansdorp Divisions, throughout which
area it appears to be rare, for there are not more than five
collections recorded. The last of these was made near
Humansdorp by Mr. H. G. Fourcade, who sent living specimens
to the Bolus Herbarium in January 1923, from which the
drawing was made. The species belongs to a group of Disa
which is characterised by having rather densely massed and
numerous flowers, thus making up in attractiveness for the
insignificance of the individuals. A flower enlarged (see Figs.
1 and 2), however, has its own beauty and the same interesting
and complex structure as its more handsome allies. The
name, picta, which means painted or embellished, refers to
the purple spots that beautify the sepals and, to a less extent,
the lip.
Description : — Plant 17 to 23 cm. high, glabrous. Leaves
11-2 to 10 cm. long, erect, linear-lanceolate, long-acuminate.
Inflorescence up to 10 cm. long, 1*4 cm. diam., rather densely
flowered. Bracts 0-7 to 1*5 cm. long, erect, ovate, long-
acuminate. Side sepals 3 mm. long, decurved, oblong, obtuse.
Odd sepal hooded, the spur decurved, obtuse. Petals 2 mm.
long, enclosed in the hood, falcate-oblong. Lip 3 mm. long,
linear, obtuse. Side lobes of the rostellum divergent, the
glands orbicular. Anther slightly reclinate. Stigma some-
what rounded, slightly compressed in front. (L. Bolus'.)
* We are very much indebted to Mrs. Bolus for several beautiful drawings
reproduced in this issue, as well as the accompanying descriptions and
interesting notes. — Ed,
Plate 232. — Fig. 1, flower, oblique view; Fig. 2, the same, front view;
Fig. 3, side sepal ; Fig. 4, odd sepal, back view ; Fig. 5, the same, side view ;
Fig. 6, petal ; Fig. 7, lip ; Fig. 8, column and lip, side view ; Fig. 9, column,
front view ; Fig. 10, the same, side view ; Fig. 11, pollinium.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
233.
A Lansdett del
Plate 233.
GLADIOLUS hirsutus.
Cape Province.
Ibid ace ae. Tribe Ixieae.
Gladiolus, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook.f. Oen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 704.
Gladiolus hirsutus, Jacq. Ic. t. 250; FI. Cap. vol. vi. p. 153.
Gladiolus hirsutus, popularly known as the “ pink afri-
cander,” was first illustrated by Jacquin in his leones Plan-
tarum Rariorum about the year 1790, and since then several
illustrations have appeared in botanical literature. The
species was probably first introduced from the Cape to Holland,
and then from there to England.
The plant occurs in the Malmesbury and Clanwilliam
Divisions, and also near Van Rhynsdorp. From the latter
locality specimens were collected by Mrs. E. Rood and sent
to the Division of Botany, Pretoria, where they flowered in
August 1922. In the Clanwilliam District it is known as the
“ zand Veld lelie.”
Description : — Corrn 3 to 4 cm. in diam., covered with
stout fibrous tunics, splitting into long fibres above. Stems
about 30 cm. long. Leaves usually four, with the free portion
3 to 6 cm. long, 0-7 to 1-7 cm. broad, acuminate, subacute,
with 3 to 5 prominent veins and thickened and crenulate
margins, sparsely pilose with weak hairs; clasping portion
of the leaf strongly striate and long-pilose. Flowers 1 to 6
in a lax spike. Spathe-valves about 3 cm. long, shorter than
the perianth-tube. Perianth-tube curved, gradually narrowing
from above downwards ; lobes obovate, shortly pointed.
Stamens shortly sagittate at the base. Style cylindric ; lobes
linear-spathulate, bilobed with marginal papillae. (National
Herb., Pretoria, No. 2594.)
Plate 233. — Fig. 1, stamens;
bilobed branches.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
Fig. 2, portion of style, showing the
23-f
j
? f
u
M M.P^e del.
Plate 234.
DISA LACERA.
Cape Province.
Orchidaceae. Tribe Ophrydeae.
Disa, Berg. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 630.
Disa lacera, Sw. in Vet. Acad. Handl. Stockh. 1800, 212; Bolus, Ic. Orchid.
vol. iii. t. 52.
When this orchid made its first appearance as a “ Blue
Disa ” at the summer show of wild flowers held in Cape Town
a few years ago, in an exhibit from Hermanus in the Caledon
Division, considerable interest was aroused. Naturally, the
question at once arose of its being a new species or a form
of Disa lacera, whose flowering-period, on the Cape Peninsula
at least, is at its height in November. Moreover, the blue
of the sepals was much more intense and beautiful than the
rather greyish blue of the Cape Peninsular plants. The
“ Caledon Blue Disa,” as it is now called, appeared regularly at
successive shows held in January, but always cut off above
the base, and without the narrow grass-like leaves, which
wither by the time the flowers appear. It was not until 1924
that, by the courtesy of Mr. L. Dunsdon, several complete
flowering-stems were presented to the Bolus Herbarium, and
the accompanying drawing was made from the living plants.
Careful study of this ample material (Bolus Herbarium, No.
17,494) revealed an almost endless variety in the shape and
degree of cutting of the lip — a phenomenon which accorded
with observations made on collections of this species from the
Eastern Province, where, moreover, the flowering-period
extends to the end of February or, near Port Elizabeth, even
into March. For the present, therefore, it seems advisable
to regard the “ Caledon Blue Disa ” as a form of the remark-
ably variable Disa lacera, Sw., a species which has been included
by Rolfe in Herschelia venusta, Kraenzl.
Description : — Plant about 40 cm. high. Flowering-stem
slender, bearing 8 reduced, sheathing, acuminate, reddish-
brown leaves, at intervals of 2-5 to 6 cm. Raceme 4-flowered.
Bracts 1 to 1*2 cm. long, broadly obovate, long-acuminate.
Pedicels 5 to 6 mm. long, enclosed in the bracts. Side sepals
1-2 cm. long, more or less spreading, oblong, obtuse ; odd sepal
hooded acute, as long as the side sepals, the spur 4 mm. long
Petals 7 mm. long, enclosed in the “ hood,” erect, oblong,
broadened and irregularly incised at the apex, produced at
base into an obtuse projecting lobe. Lip varying from 0*7
to M cm. long, nearly entire or variously incised. Rostellum
3-fid, lobes equal in length, with a solitary gland. Anther
pendulous. Ovary 1 cm. long ; stigma large, nearly orbicular.
(L. Bolus.)
Plate 234. — Fig. 1, side sepal ; Fig. 2, odd sepal ; Fig. 3, petals ; Fig. 4,
lip, showing 5 variations ; Fig. 5, 5 a, column with lip ; Fig. 6, column, front
view, gland in position : Fig. 6a, the same, gland removed ; Fig. 7, column,
side view ; Fig. 8, pollinia with gland.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
E Smith de]
Plate 235.
WATSONIA FOURCADEI.
Cape Province.
Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia, Miller; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia Fourcadei, Mathews and L. Bolus in Annals Bolus Herbarium ,
vol. iv. p. 26.
The National Botanic Gardens at Kirstenbosch from the
early days of their existence and onwards have contributed
generously to our knowledge of this handsome genus, and at
present there is ample evidence of a goodly store of new species
still to be explored within those precincts. Plants have been
sent from many parts of South Africa, and an unparalleled
opportunity has been afforded of studying them in their
various stages of growth, comparing them closely with better-
known species, and making use of distinctive characters
which are shown in the living plant, but lost in the dried
specimen.
Among the various contributors is Mr. H. G. Fourcade,
after whom the present species was named. Plants were
sent from the Humansdorp Division in 1922 (National Botanic
Gardens No. ^-f1) and in November and December of the
following year.- These flowered freely, reaching a height of
nearly 5 ft. From this material the accompanying plate was
made. The very beautiful colour of the flowers — something
between salmon-pink and coral-red — cannot be adequately
reproduced.
Description : — Plant up to 1*50 m. high. Corm 5*5 cm.
diam., depressed-globose, producing several rather large,
lateral cormlets. Radical leaves 8, 22-5 to 60 cm. long, 1*8
to 4 cm. broad, dark green, slightly glaucous, margins hardly
prominent, rather straw-yellow, middle nerve green, somewhat
prominent in the lower part of the leaf, becoming incon-
spicuous upwards, cauline leaf one only, 35 cm. long, the blade
15 cm. long. Spathes 3, up to 25 cm. long. Inflorescence
branched, the lateral branches 22-flowered, up to 52 cm. long.
Bracts ovate-oblong acute, membranous in the upper half,
1-5 to 1 cm. long. Bracteoles as long as the bracts or a little
shorter, united for two-thirds of their length. Flowers 7*5 to
8-1 cm. long, erect at first, then spreading; the perianth-tube
gradually widened, up to 5-4 cm. long, at the middle 6 mm.,
at the throat up to 9 mm., in diam. ; outer perianth-segments
oblong-linear, interior obovate-oblong. Stamens arched,
almost reaching to the apex of the segments; filaments pale
rose; anthers 9 mm. long, purple. Stigmas 3 to 4 mm. long,
reaching slightly beyond the segments. Capsule 2 cm. long,
oblique, tapering towards the apex. (L. Bolus.)
Plate 235. — Fig. 1, corm, showing cormlets; Fig. 2, upper part of a
radical leaf ; Fig. 3, portion of branch of inflorescence ; Fig. 4, flower, with
perianth laid open ; Fig. 5, capsule.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
2.36
MMPaxje del.
Plate 236.
DISPERIS tysonii.
Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal.
Orchid aceae. Tribe Ophrydeae.
Disperis, Sw. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 633.
Disperis Tysonii, Bolui in Journ. Linn. Soc. vol. xxii. p. 79, t. 1, fig. F,
FI. Cap., vol. v. sect. iii. p. 298.
The genus Disperis, comprising 55 species, is represented
in South Africa by 36 species, of which the greater number
occur in Natal and the Transvaal. One species grows in Little
Namaqualand, a country whose rich and varied flora is almost
devoid of orchids. Disperis Tysonii has been recorded from
the Somerset East Division and from various mountains in
the Eastern Districts and Natal, reaching an altitude in the
Drakensberg of 9300 ft. on Satsanna’s Peak, where Mr. E. G.
Galpin collected it. In the Transvaal it was found at Belfast
by Dr. J. Burtt-Davy and by Dr. E. M. Doidge. The plant
from which the plate was prepared was sent by Mr. A. G.
McLoughlin from between Mount Currie and Kokstad in
Griqualand East. The name Disperis is derived from dis =
twice, and pera — a pouch, referring to the pouch in each
side-sepal. Before the sepals expand, the glands on the
rostellum fit neatly into these cavities. The specific name is
after Mr. Tyson (1851-1920), after whom the genus Ty sonia
was named, and many other South African species of plants.
Tyson collected the type-specimens in January and February,
1883.
Description : — Plant 15 to 39 cm. high, glabrous.
Cauline leaves 3 to 5, usually up to 3 cm., rarely up to 4*5 cm.,
long, linear-lanceolate, lanceolate, or ovate, acute. Inflor-
escence 7 to 15 cm. long, up to 15-flowered, flowers rather laxly
disposed. Bracts 3 to 1 cm. long, ovate, acute or acuminate.
Side sepals widely spreading, 6 to 8 mm. long, obliquely ovate,
shortly and broadly unguiculate, acuminate. Odd sepal 6 to
8 mm. long, hooded, obtusely saccate. Petals 6 to 7 mm. long,
obliquely obovate, shortly unguiculate. Lip 6 to 7 mm. long,
erect ; the claw rather broader at the base, white ; the blade
about as long as the claw, or a little longer, cordate-ovate,
acuminate, green ; appendix 5 mm. long, slightly widened and
rounded at the apex. Rostellum large, as broad as long, the
arms curved inwards. Glands of the pollinia broadly ovate.
Anther hidden beneath the rostellum. (L. Bolus.)
Plate 236. — Fig. 1, flower, front view ; Fig. 2, bract ; Fig. 3, side sepal ;
Fig. 4, odd sepal; Fig. 5, petal; Fig. 6, lip, front view; Fig. 7, the same,
side view ; Fig. 8, column and lip, front view ; Fig. 9, column, front view ;
Fig. 10, the same, side view ; Fig. 11, pollinium.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
2. 17
Plate 237.
GLADIOLUS SALMONEUS.
Cape Province.
Ibid ace ae. Tribe Ixieae.
Gladiolus, Linn. ; Benth et Hook.f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 709.
Gladiolus salmoneus, Baker, Handb. Irid. 217 ; FI. Cap. vol. vi. p. 153.
Corms of this fine Gladiolus were sent to Kirstenbosch by-
Mrs. E. Stanford from near Kokstad, Griqualand East,
in 1920, and flowered well in February of the following year,
when the accompanying plate was made. The loosely-formed
flower, with its long and flowing perianth-segments, is very
similar to that of G. oppositiflorus, Herb., but the rich salmon-
pink colouring is very rare, if not unique, in the genus.
The species was introduced to botanists more than 40
years ago by Mr. W. Tyson, who sent plants to the Kew
Herbarium, collected in March 1883 from the mountain-slopes
near Kokstad, at an altitude of 4800 ft.
Description : — Plant 60 to 72 cm. high. Leaves 6 to 8,
rigid, linear, acuminate, strongly ribbed, margin prominent,
finely pubescent between the nerves, blades up to 44 cm. long,
2 cm. wide, usually 1 cm. wide. Spike 38 cm. long, 20-
flowered, flowers often rather dense. Bracts 7*5 to 4 cm. long,
oblong-ovate, attenuate, ending in a fine bristle, minutely
pubescent. Bracteoles a little shorter than the bracts, united
for most of their length, the free portion tapering into a bristle,
5 to 9 mm. long. Perianth up to 10 cm. long, the segments
oblong-ovate, tapering to the apex, margins waved. Stamens
reaching about half-way up the perianth-segments. (L.
Bolus.)
Plate 237. — Fig. 1, one of the largest leaves; Fig. 2, portion of inflor-
escence.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
■
E. Smith del.
Plate 238.
WATSONIA TABULARIS.
Cape Province.
Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia, Miller ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia tabularis, Mathews and L. Bolus in Annals Bolus Herbarium,
vol. iii. p. 141.
All those who frequent Table Mountain and love its
flowers must be familiar with this stately Watsonia. It is
gathered in alarming quantities by an increasing number of
admirers, and the broken and ragged stems, bereft of all trace
of flowers, too often stand as witnesses of the rough usage they
have received. But the sturdy plant braves this harsh treat-
ment and is ready once more on New Year’s Day, at the
height of its beauty, to face a fresh onslaught.
The species appears to have a limited range, for, excepting
the mountains near Sir Lowry’s Pass, Kalk Bay and Simons-
town, no other localities have been recorded. It is most
plentiful on the Lower Plateau of Table Mountain, where in
some parts it used to grow socially.
Description: — Plant 1*5 to 1*75 m. high. Radical
leaves 4 to 5, up to IT m. long, 4-8 cm. broad, scarcely equi-
tant, the sheath very short, up to 12 cm. long, except for
the prominent middle nerve the veins are scarcely visible ;
margins somewhat pellucid; cauline leaves 2 to 3, the lowest
springing from the very base of the stem, 18 cm. long, sheath
13 cm. long, the rest spathe-like, 22 cm. long. Spathes 2 to 3,
21 to 8 cm. long. Spike somewhat 2-ranked, the flowers con-
verging, 2 to 3-branched, the terminal part about 24-flowered,
up to 71 cm. long, the flowering-axis 48 cm. long, branches
slender, 8 to 14-flowered, up to 57 cm. long. Bracts ovate-
oblong, 1*8 to 1 cm. long. Bracteoles a little longer than the
bracts, united for nearly their whole length. Flowers spread-
ing at first, soon nodding; perianth-tube 4*3 cm. long, 1 cm.
in diam. at the apex, coral-red; outer perianth-segments
up to 3*1 cm., oblong, obtuse, slightly narrowed at the
base, coral-red outside, salmon-pink within; inner perianth-
segments up to 3*5 cm. long, 2-3 cm. wide, salmon-pink, the
posticous one stretching forward and somewhat concave.
Stamens arcuate ; filaments 4-6 cm. long ; anthers dark blue,
1*4 cm. long; pollen whitish. Stigmas reaching, or slightly
exceeding, the level of the stamens, 4 mm. long. Capsule
2*5 to 3-5 cm. long, cylindrical, narrowed towards the base.
Seeds up to 1-3 cm. long, the wings 4 to 6 mm. long. (L.
Bolus.)
Plate 238. — Fig. 1, reduced sketch of lower portion of plant, the leaves
drawn apart to show the cauline leaves and four axillary shoots ; Fig. 2,
portion of inflorescence; Fig. 3, flower, with perianth laid open; Fig. 4,
capsules; Fig. 5, seed.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
? 9
/
K. A.Lansdell del
Plate 239.
LAPEYROUSIA fissifolia.
Cape Province.
Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Lapeyrousia, Pourr. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Lapeyrousia fissifolia, Ker in Konig and Sim’s Ann. vol. i. p. 238 ;
FI. Cap. vol. vi. p. 92.
The genus Lapeyrousia is represented in South Africa by
about 25 species with a fairly wide distribution, but poorly
represented in Natal and in the eastern parts of the Cape
Province. The accompanying plate is the first we have been
able to publish of a species of the genus, and we are indebted
to Dr. R. Marloth for the specimens which he collected in
the Van Rhynsdorp Division.
Description : — An erect simple (sometimes branched)
glabrous herb, 9 to 12 cm. high. Rootstock a semiglobose
corm, 1-4 cm. in diam., 1 cm. high, truncate at the base, with
rigid brown acuminate striate tunics. Leaves 1 to 2, basal, 3
to 7 cm. long, sub-falciform, spreading or somewhat ascending,
distinctly nerved, acute, sheathing at the base; becoming
folded about the middle, with the margins fused towards
the apex. Spikes 4 to 9 cm. in length, with the spathes
spreading and spirally disposed, few- or many- flowered.
Outer spathe-valve 0-5 to 1-5 cm. long, foliaceous, oblong-
ovate, keeled, many-nerved, obtuse, from more than half to
less than half the length of the perianth-tube, with narrowly
membranaceous revolute margins; inner valve 0-5 cm. long,
quite membranaceous, hidden by the outer, 2-nerved, bifid at
the apex (the segments acute), sheathing the ovary and the
lower part of the perianth-tube. Perianth-tube ascending, 0-7
to 2 cm. long, white (at length pink in older flowers), terete,
gradually widening above, about 2 mm. wide below corolla-
throat; segments 8 mm. long, 3 to 4 mm. wide, spreading,
oblong-elliptic, white and faintly purple, with three dark
purplish patches on the three anterior segments, cuneate at the
base. Filaments slender, 3 to 4 mm. long, inserted in the
corolla-throat; anthers purple, linear, much exserted, dorsi-
fixed, sagittate at the base, dehiscing by two longitudinal
slits. Ovary 2-5 mm. long, oblong-elliptic in outline, sub-
terete, appearing noduled from pressure of ovules within;
ovules many, superimposed, subreniform ; style purple, up to
2 cm. long, exceeding the stamens, filiform, with the branches
spreading, bifid, hairy on the stigmatic surfaces ; bifurcations
laterally compressed, 1-5 mm. long, recurving, truncate.
Fruit a membranous capsule. (National Herb., Pretoria,
No. 5889.) [c.a.s.]
Plate 239. — Fig. 1 , median longitudinal section of flower (much enlarged) ;
Fig. 2, fruit ; Fig. 3, bract.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
Plate 240.
GLADIOLUS Watsonius.
Cape Province.
Iridaceae. Tribe Ixiaee.
Gladiolus, Linn. ; Benth. et Hoolc. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 709.
Gladiolus Watsonius, Thunb. Diss. No. 10; Antholyza revoluta, Baker
in FI. Cap. vol. vi. p. 169, ex parte, non Burm.
The Gladiolus figured on the accompanying plate is often
confused with Antholyza revoluta, which flowers on the Cape
Peninsula during the same months (May to June).
Gladiolus Watsonius is an extremely graceful plant, and
usually bears 1 to 3 bright-red flowers; occasionally plants
are met with having 4 flowers. It is commonly known as
the “ Red Africander ” or “ Rooi pypie.”
We are indebted to Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., for the
specimen which he collected in the Cape Peninsula in June
1923.
Description : — Rootstock a globose corm, 1-8 cm. in diam.,
with matted brown reticulated tunics, somewhat fimbrillate
at the apices, and with long slender branched fibrous roots
from the truncated base. Stem 30 'em. high, simple, slender,
erect (above the middle zig-zagged), terete, with four reduced
acute leaves having long striate glabrous sheaths ; produced-
leaf one, linear, about as long as the stem or shorter, firm in
texture, rib striate. Inflorescence a secund 2-flowered spike ;
flowers bright scarlet, and yellowish over the lower half of
the face and the throat ; spathe- valves 2, green, lance-linear
in profile, white and membrane-edged, herbaceous, long-acute ;
the inner 2*5 cm. long, somewhat recurving-ascending ; the
outer about as long as the perianth-tube (3-5 cm.), ascending-
erect; perianth-tube curved, 3 to 3-5 cm. long, narrow-
cylindric in lower half, then abruptly dilating on ventral
surface, reaching 4 mm. in the throat ; median upper segment 2
to 2-5 cm. long, elliptic- oblong, ascending, acuminate, suberect
near the apex; lateral upper segments 1-5 to 2 cm. long,
elliptic, ascending outwards, acuminate; the lower segments
smaller than the upper, 2 cm. long, lanceolate-oblong, almost
abruptly deflexed. Stamens unilateral, continuous, arcuate,
inserted below the throat of the perianth-tube; filaments
scarlet, 1-5 cm. long, exserted, shorter than the perianth-
segments, slender, herbaceous, terete ; anthers purple, 8 mm.
long, dorsifixed, linear, tapering at the apices, shortly sagittate
at the base, with introrse dehiscence. Ovary oblong in out-
line, green ; style scarlet, arcuate, long-exserted, 4-5 cm. long,
lying above the stamens and reaching to their tips ; branches
slender at first, then conduplicate-spathulate, with white
hairy stigmatic margins ; ovules many in each ovary-chamber
superposed. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2737.) [c.a.s.]
Plate 240. — Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower ; Fig. 2, anther
and part of filament ; Fig. 3, style branches.
F.P.S.A., 1926.
INDEX TO VOLUME VI.
PLATE
Albuca convoluta . 225
Albuca Macowani ........ 206
Aloe krapohliana ........ 201
Aloe nitens ......... 221
Asclepias adscendens ....... 204
Asclepias eminens ....... 228
Asclepias fbuticosa ....... 208
Bulbine asphodeloides . . . . . . .217
Buphane disticha ........ 230
Canavalia obtusifolia ....... 227
Caballuma Leendertziae ...... 224
Carissa grandiflora ....... 226
Cyrtanthus collinus ....... 211
Dimorphotheca aurantiaca ...... 205
Disa lacera ......... 234
Disa picta ......... 232
Disperis Tysonii ........ 236
Erythrina acanthocarpa ...... 203
Eucohis undulata ........ 220
Euphorbia esculenta ....... 209
Euphorbia Monteiri ....... 218
Gladiolus hersutus ....... 233
Gladiolus salmoneus ....... 237
Gladiolus Watsonius ....... 240
Huernia loeseneriana ....... 216
Huernia transvaalensis ...... 229
Hydnora africana ........ 207
Lapeyrousia fissifolia ....... 239
Monadenium Lugardae ....... 223
Pachycarpus concolor ....... 219
Pachycarpus schinzianus ...... 210
Paranomus diversifolius ...... 202
Plumbago capensis ....... 222
Pqotea cynaroides ....... 231
Pterodiscus speciosus ....... 213
Sansevieria aethiopica ....... 212
Streptocarpus Yandeleurii ...... 214
Watsonia Fourcadei ....... 235
Watsonia tabularis ....... 238
Xysmalobium undulatum ...... 215