MARY GUNN LIBRARY

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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.,

ffityief, ©ibision of ^lant JEnbustvp, ©epartment of Agriculture, Pretoria;

anB ©ircctor of tije JSotaniral iourbep of tije Stnion of Soutij Africa.

VOL. XII

The veld which lies so desolate and bare

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.”

L. REEVE & CO., Ltd.,

LLOYDS BANK BUILDINGS, BANK STREET, ASHFORD, KENT.

SOUTH AFRICA:

THE SPECIALTY PRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA, Ltd.

P.O. BOX 388, CAPETOWN ; P.O. BOX 21, WYNBERG, CAPE.

1932.

[All rights reserved.)

TO

DR. FREDERICK PAUL KEPPEL

PRESIDENT OF THE CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF

NEW YORK, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

THIS VOLUME IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED IN

RECOGNITION OF THE WIDE INTEREST WHICH

HIS CORPORATION TAKES IN AFRICAN AFFAIRS,

AND ALSO FOR THE VERY GENEROUS GIFT OF

FUNDS FROM THE CARNEGIE CORPORATION,

WHICH HAVE MADE THE FURTHER PUBLICATION

OF THIS WORK POSSIBLE.

Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria.

October, 1932.

447

Plate 441,

CARALLUMA Lugardii.

South West Africa.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Caralluma R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Oen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782.

Caralluma Lugardii, N.E. Br. in FI. Trop. Afric. vol. iv. sect. 1. p. 487.

The original specimens from which Dr. N. E. Brown

described the species were collected by Major F. D. and

Lieut. E. J. Lugard in N’gamiland, and for many years it

was only known from this collection. In 1914 K. Dinter

(Neue und wenig bekannte Pflanzen Deutsch-Sudwest-Afrikas)

gave an excellent photograph of the species, which he states

occurs at Windhuk, Okahanja and Tsubgaris in South-West

Africa. Our plate was prepared from specimens grown by

Dr. A. J. T. Janse near Pretoria in 1927 from plants collected

at Rehoboth, also in South-West Africa. Caralluma Lugardii

is quite a striking member of the genus, and differs from the

species previously figured (see Plates 224, 322, 379) in the

relatively long corolla-lobes. The species is easy to grow

provided the soil is not allowed to become too wet, when the

plant will rot.

Description : — Plant 6-5-12 cm. high. Stems simple or

branching at the base, about 1-3 cm. in diameter, 4-angled,

glabrous; angles with spreading stout subulate teeth 3-5

mm. long. Flowers solitary or in clusters of 3-7, lateral on

the stems. Pedicels 3-6 mm. long, glabrous. Sepals 4-5

mm. long, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous. Corolla 4-5 cm.

in diameter, glabrous without, minutely puberulous within,

sparingly ciliate with minute simple hairs; tube campanu-

late ; lobes 2-2-6 cm. long, long-attenuate from a broad base.

Outer corona saucer-shaped consisting of 5 pairs of elongated-

deltoid bifid lobes alternating with the anthers and 5 pairs

of smaller bifid lobes opposite the anthers and forming a

dorsal projection from the inner corona-lobes; inner corona

of 5 subulate connivent-erect glabrous lobes. (Description

partly from FI. Trop. Afr. ; National Herbarium, No. 10135.)

Plate 441— Fig. 1, corolla (enlarged) showing corona; Fig. 2, corona

seen from above; Fig. 3, corona (side view).

F.P.S.A., 1932.

■U2

G.Let-fcy del.

Plate 442.

HUERNIA Kirkix.

Transvaal.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Huernia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Huernia Kirkii, N.E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 920.

This appears to be an extremely rare species of Huernia,

the only published record we find is that of the original

collecting by Mr. J. W. C. Kirk at Komati Poort in the Trans-

vaal. In 1928 the species was again collected by Mr. J. J.

van Nouhuys of the Division of Plant Industry on shales

near Barberton. Huernia Kirkii, as will be seen from our

plate, bears an extremely beautiful flower with fight maroon

spots and the bud very delicately tinted with pink. When

in bud the connate corolla-lobes form an acute cone on the

corolla, while the five intermediate teeth are horizontal and

almost as long as the lobes. In the greenhouse the plant

grows luxuriantly and flowers profusely. The flowers are

almost odourless.

Description : — Stems decumbent, usually branched, 4—7

cm. long, 1-5-2 cm. broad (including the teeth), acutely

5-angled, glabrous, covered with minute white spots when

seen under a lens; teeth 0-5 cm. long, stout, deltoid, when

young with a subulate leaf-like tip which hardens with age

into an acute white spine. Flowers 1-4 from the base of the

stems, developing successively. Bracts 0-5 cm. long, lanceo-

late, long-acuminate, glabrous. Sepals 0-8-1 cm. long, 2-5-3

mm. broad at the base, long-acuminate from an ovate base,

glabrous. Corolla 5 cm. in diameter when fully expanded;

tube 1-5 cm. long, 1-3 cm. in diameter, subglobose at the

base, constricted above, glabrous but covered with stout

papillae in the upper half; limb spreading-reflexed, covered

with irregular maroon spots and stout papillae, glabrous

without; lobes 1-3 cm. long, about 9 mm. broad at the base,

acuminate, spotted with light maroon and with a few papillae ;

teeth similar to the lobes but smaller. Outer corona almost

black, closely adpressed to the base of the corolla-tube,

5-lobed ; lobes 2 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, transversely oblong,

somewhat crenate; inner corona of 5 terete lobes, much

overtopping the staminal-column, with a transverse ridge

near the base, very minutely papillose at the apex (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 10140).

Plate 442. — Fig. 1, part of corolla-tube showing papillae ; Fig. 2, sepal ;

Fig. 3, corona seen from above ; Fig. 4, corona (side view).

F.P.S.A., 1932.

44 3

C.Letty del.

Plate 443.

CARALLUMA ubomboensis.

Swaziland.

Asclepladaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Caballuma, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782.

Caralluma ubomboensis Verdoorn sp. nov. Planta 4 cm. alta, ramosa.

Rami 4-angulati, ad 1 cm. diam., angulis obtusis dentatis ; dentes in folia

rudimentaria erecta transeuntes. Flores 2-3, erecti, terminales et infra,

apicem ramorum dispositi. Pedicelli 3 mm. longi. Sepala 2 mm. longa,

ovata. Corolla radiata, 9 mm. diam., atropurpurea, intra rugosa, glabra ;

lobi 3 — 4 mm. longi, ovati. Corona exterior atropurpurea, 5-lobata ; lobi

basi connati, apice profunde bilobi, lobis divaricatis; corona interior

5-lobata; lobi 0-5 mm. longi, oblongi, apice obtusi, antheris incum-

bentibus, postico coronae exteriori adnati.

Natal ; Ubombo Mountains on Natal side, March 1930, Pole Evans in

National Herbarium, 8764.

This species of Caralluma does not agree with any of the

species described in the “ Flora Capensis,” and only in the

small size of the flowers do we find some resemblance to

described species. The flowers, though glabrous, resemble

small velvety stars. The locality in which the plant was

collected is interesting, as hitherto we can find no published

record of a species of Caralluma from this region. The plants

were collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., in 1930.

Description : — The whole plant about 4 cm. high ;

branches 4-angled, 1 cm. in diameter, with a few conical

teeth on the angles; teeth tipped with small erect leaves.

Flowers erect, arising in groups of 2-3, near or at the apex

of the stems. Pedicel about 5 mm. long. Calyx-lobes 2 mm.

long, ovate. Corolla about 9 mm. in diameter when fully

expanded, dark purple, rugose, glabrous; lobes 3-4 mm.

long, ovate. Corona about midway on the staminal column ;

outer dark purple, of 5 united spreading deeply bifid lobes,

with the lobes diverging ; inner 5-lobed ; lobes 0-5 mm. long,

oblong, obtuse, incumbent on the anthers and joined at the

base to the outer corona.

Plate 443. — Fig. 1, corona seen from above; Fig. 2, inner corona-lobe

showing anther.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

444

C.Letty del.

Plate 444.

HUERNIA scabra var. quinta.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Huernia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Huernia scabra, N.E. Br., var. quinta, Phillips, var. nov. H. scabro var.

pallido affinis sed lobis coronae exterioris differt.

In the “ Flora Capensis ” (Vol. IV, sect, i, p. 916) Dr.

N. E. Brown recognises four varieties of the species Huernia

scabra. Whether or not these varieties should be recognised

depends on some future examination of a large number of

specimens. As the plant we figure on the accompanying

plate is not the typical form with a broad convex ring at the

mouth of the corolla-tube, and as it does not agree with the

descriptions of any of the published varieties, we have had

to create a fifth variety to include it. Our plant is nearest

var. pallida, but the radiating ridges on the outer corona are

not present.

We are indebted to Mr. J. C. van Balen for the plant,

which he cultivated in Pretoria and where it flowered.

Description : — Stems up to 7 cm. high, 2-5 cm. in diameter

(including the teeth), 4-angled, glabrous; angles acute and

the teeth tipped with a hard horny point. Flowers in groups

of 4—7 from the base of the stems. Pedicel 1-3 cm. long,

terete, glabrous. Sepals 4 mm. long, ovate, acuminate,

glabrous. Corolla 2*7 cm. in diameter when fully expanded;

tube campanulate, 4 mm. long, 9 mm. in diameter at the

mouth, campanulate, banded with dark red, scarcely with a

raised ring round the mouth, papillate at the mouth, with

the papillae tipped with short bristles; limb horizontally

spreading, papillate; lobes 8 mm. long, 9 mm. broad at the

base, ovate, shortly acuminate, papillate. Outer corona

lining the base of the corolla-tube, disc-like; lobes 1 mm.

long, 1-5 mm. broad, shortly bifid with the lobes obtuse;

inner corona overtopping the staminal column ; lobes 3 mm.

long, subulate above, with a thickened ridge just below the

subulate portion. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 10134.)

Plate 444. Fig. 1 , portion of corolla ; Fig. 2, corona seen from above ;

Fig. 3, corona in side view ; Fig. 4, pollinia.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

44.5

C.Lett.y del.

Plate 445.

STAPELIOPSIS Cooperi.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapeliopsis, Phillips, gen. nov.

Stapeliopsis Cooperi (N.E. Br.), Phillips, comb. nov. ; genus

Stapeliae affinis, sed lobis coronae exterioris connatis, et Carallumae affinis

annulo corollae differt.

The plant we figure on the accompanying plate, and to

which we venture to give a new generic name, was first

described by Dr. N. E. Brown in the “ Flora Capensis ”

(vol. iv, sect. 1, p. 974) as Stapelia Cooperi. In a footnote

to his specific description Dr. Brown stated that the plant

exhibited peculiar characters and did not properly fit into

the genus Stapelia. On the character of the corona alone

we also venture to suggest that it might equally well have

been referred to the genus Caralluma. Having examined the

living plant, we fully realise the difficulty in placing the

species in any described genus of the tribe Stapelieae. The

corona definitely excludes it from Stapelia, whilst the raised

annulus on the corolla is a character which is not found in

any species of Caralluma so far as we know. We are indebted

for the specimen to Mr. J. C. van Balen, who collected it

near Hopetown and successfully flowered it at the Union

Building Nursery in November 1930.

Description : — Stems mottled with purple, erect,

branched, up to 8 cm. long, up to 1-5 cm. in diameter,

4-angled, with prominent conical teeth ; teeth with 2 minute

lateral teeth. Flowers several arising successively. Pedicel

1*1 cm. long, terete, glabrous. Sepals 3*5 mm. long, 1*5 mm.

broad at the base, ovate, acute. Corolla rotate, 3*2-4 cm.

in diameter, rugose with transverse cream-coloured lines on

a reddish background, raised into a distinct annulus on the

limb ; annulus somewhat lighter in colour than rest of corolla,

about 8 mm. in diameter, rugose; lobes 1*4 cm. long, 9 mm.

broad at the base, ovate, subacute, with a few vibratile

clavate hairs near the base. Corona dark brown, in the

annulus; outer corona very distinctly saucer-shaped, with

the lobes bifid and appearing as a 10-lobed structure; inner

corona-lobes arising from the inner face of the outer corona,

ovate-lanceolate and incumbent over the staminal-column,

then produced into long subulate points. (National Herb-

arium, Pretoria, No. 8765.)

Plate 445. — Fig. 1, part of stem showing minute lateral teeth on main

tooth ; Fig. 2, vibratile hair ; Fig. 3, corona ; Fig. 4, an inner corona-lobe ;

Fig. 5, pollinium.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

44<S

Plate 446.

PIARANTHUS Pillansii var. inconstans.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Piaranthus, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782 (partly).

Piaranthus Pillansii, N.E. Br., var. inconstans, N.E. Br. in FI. Cap.

vol. iv. sect. 1. p. 1019.

We figured on Plates 324 and 378 species of Piaranthus

and gave a general account of the genus. Since publishing

these descriptions, several other plants of Piaranthus have

flowered in our collection, and an examination of these

indicates that a revision of the genus at some future date

is essential when much more material is available. Mean-

while as a preliminary study we will continue to publish

figures of plants as they flower. Our present variety is nearest

P. foetidus, as a comparison of the two plates * will show.

It differs, however, in that the corona-lobes do not overlap

and are differently shaped. The specimens figured were

flowered at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, and

were originally collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G.,

on the road between Aberdeen and Beaufort West.

Description : — Plant forming a dense cushion. Stems

branched; joints 1-3 cm. long, up to 2 cm. in diameter,

sometimes almost globose, obscurely 4-angled, with a few

small tubercle-like teeth along the angles, glabrous. Flowers

solitary or in pairs. Pedicel 2*6 cm. long, terete, glabrous.

Calyx-lobes 3 mm. long, lanceolate, acute. Corolla-lobes 1*3

cm. long, lanceolate, subacute, pale green and glabrous below,

yellowish-green and spotted with chocolate-brown above and

covered with rather stiff short erect hairs. Corona-lobes

* The coloured figure of the single flower on Plate 378 is not a faithful

representation of the artist’s original drawing.

2-5 mm. long, lanceolate, yellow with raised tubercular

markings at the base of the lanceolate portion with a cushion-

like area covered with irregular tubercular ridges. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 10138.)

Plate 446. — Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, corolla-lobe; Fig. 3, corona, as seen

from above ; Fig. 4, corona-lobe, side view.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

447

C.Letty del

Plate 447.

STAPELIA virescens.

Cape Province.

Asclepladaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia virescens, N.E. Br. in Hook. Ic. PI. t. 1910 b ; FI. Cap. vol. iv.

sect. i. p. 970.

The species of Stapelia shown on the accompanying plate

has a superficial resemblance to S. Nouhuysii and S. concinna

illustrated on Plates 345 and 375 respectively. This is prin-

cipally due to the plants all bearing comparatively small

flowers on long pedicels. It differs from them, however, in

having a rugose and not a hairy corolla, and is placed by Dr.

N. E. Brown in a different section of the genus. The plant

was collected by Mr. W. Galpin, Plaatjesfontein, Dwaall, C.P.,

and was grown and flowered at the Division of Plant Industry,

Pretoria. Stapelia virescens flowers very profusely, but sets

no fruits in cultivation. It is one of the more delicate species

to grow, as it becomes affected with a bacterial disease and

dies back.

Description : — Plant branching from a single stem which

alone roots. Branches bluntly 4-angled, the conical teeth on

the angles bearing rudimentary leaves 4 mm. long. Flowers

at first appear solitary in the axils of the leaves, eventually

the peduncle elongates slightly and bears an umbel of several

flowers. Pedicel 4-7 cm. long, glabrous. Calyx-lobes 2 mm.

long, lanceolate, sparsely and obscurely ciliate, glabrous.

Corolla about 3 cm. in diameter, smooth and glabrous with-

out, densely rugose within with small crowded conical pro-

cesses on the disc and radiating rows of longer papillae on

the lobes; lobes strongly revolute and obscurely ciliate with

pale hairs. Outer corona of 5 trifid lobes, with the middle

lobe longer than the lateral ones ; inner corona-lobes 2-horned,

with the outer horns 1-5 mm. long erect and spreading, and

with the inner horns 5 mm. long filiform and connivent over

the staminal column and diverging at the tips. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 10062.)

Plate 447. — Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, corolla-lobe; Fig. 3, corona; Fig. 4,

an inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

s

Plate 448.

PIARANTHUS disparilis.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Plaranthtjs, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782 (partly).

P. disparilis, N.E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 1021.

Up to the time of the publication of the monograph on

the Asclepiadaceae by Dr. N. E. Brown in the “ Flora

Capensis,” this species was only known from collectings of

Mr. N. S. Pillans, and since then it does not appear to have

been extensively collected. We are indebted for flowering

specimens to Mr. J. J. van Nouhuys, who collected plants

on shales between Oudtshoorn and North Station in April

1930 and successfully flowered these at the Division of Plant

Industry the following year. In regard to its corona P.

disparilis resembles P. geminatus (see Plate 324), but differs

in the shape of the corolla-lobes and the markings on the

corolla.

Description : — Stems creeping, consisting of distinct more

or less club-shaped joints, obscurely angled. Pedicel up to

1-3 cm. long, terete, glabrous. Sepals 3 mm. long, ovate,

subacuminate. Corolla-tube (in dried flower) 2-5 mm. long;

lobes 1 cm. long, 2 mm. broad at the base, gradually narrow-

ing upwards, obtuse, with revolute margins, glabrous below,

hairy above. Corona-lobes incumbent on the staminal

column, the tips not overlapping, with the upper mcumbent

portion about 0-5 mm. long, oblong, obtuse, in the lower

half produced into a toothed crest without ridges or

tubercular swellings. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No.

10137.)

Plate 448. — Fig. 1, pedicel with calyx ; Fig. 2, corolla seen from above;

Fig. 3, corolla seen from beneath and showing the revolute lobes; Fig. 4,

corona ; Fig. 5, side view of corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

449

C.Letty del.

Plate 449.

HUERNIA BICAMPANULATA.

Transvaal.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Huernia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Huernia bicampanulata , Verdoorn, sp. nov., H. Kirkii affinis sed

forma corollae differt.

Caules 10-12 cm. longi, 4-angulati, glabri; anguli dentati. Flores

solitarii. Pedicellus 3-3-5 cm. longus, teres, glaber. Sepala 6 mm. longa,

lanceolato-acuminata, apice acuta. Corolla bicampanulata, ore 3-3-5 cm.

diametro, tubo basin versus 1-5 cm. diametro; tubus extra glaber, intra

papillosus; lobi 2 cm. longi, 3 cm. lati. Coronae exterioris lobi 2 mm.

longi, 3 mm. lati, truncati, crenati ; coronae interioris lobi 3 mm. longi,

incurvo-erecti, apice divergentes et leviter clavati et hirsuti.

Transvaal. Farm “ Naauwpoort,” distr. Petersburg, von Son in

National Herbarium, 10136.

This beautiful Huernia, which we venture to describe

here, is most nearly related to H. Kirkii figured on Plate 442.

The main points of difference, as will be seen by a com-

parison of the two plates, is that in H. bicampanulata the

limb and lobes are erect, forming with the tube two distinct

campanulate portions; in H. Kirkii the limb and lobes are

horizontal.* In the former species also the diameter of the

mouth of the tube in relation to the diameter of the limb

is much greater than in the latter species. The base of the

corolla-tube in H. Kirkii is banded, while in H. bicampanulata

it is of a uniform maroon colour. The stems of the latter

are also more robust than those of the former. The speci-

mens were collected by Mr. G. von Son on the farm “ Naauw-

poort 521,” near M’Phatlele’s location, on the main road

between Lydenburg and Pietersburg, about 30 miles south

of Pietersburg. It is found on the Kopjes growing amongst

loose boulders, and also on the flat between stones under

* This condition is forecasted in the bud, which in the former species

has the corolla-teeth erect, while in the latter species they are horizontal.

thorn trees. The plants may form individual clumps up to

1 foot in diameter. We are indebted to Mr. J. C. J. Knobel

for the specimens, which flowered in Pretoria from plants

collected by Mr. von Son.

Description : — Stems 10-12 cm. long, 3 cm. in diameter

(including teeth), sharply 4-angled, deeply toothed on the

margins, glabrous; teeth deltoid-acuminate. Flowers (prob-

ably) solitary from the base of the stems. Pedicel 3-3-5 cm.

long, terete, glabrous. Sepals 6 mm. long, lanceolate, acu-

minate. Corolla-tube twice campanulate, 3-3-5 cm. in

diameter at the mouth, ribbed without and slightly spotted

with red, glabrous without; lower portion of tube 2 cm.

long, 1-5 cm. in diameter, dark purple-red within, densely

papillose at the throat; upper portion of tube pale yellow,

spotted with liver-red; lobes 2 cm. long, 3 cm. broad at the

base, ovate, acuminate; the alternating teeth distinct but

shorter than the corolla-lobes. Outer-corona almost black,

closely appressed to the base of the corolla-tube ; lobes

2 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, truncate, crenate, velvety; inner

corona-lobes 3 mm. long, dark purply-red, erect, produced

beyond the stamens and diverging above, slightly thickened

above, shortly hirsute on the thickened part.

Plate 449. — Fig. 1, sepal; Fig. 2, portion of corolla showing papillae

and markings ; Fig. 3, corona seen from above ; Fig. 4, corona (side view) ;

Fig. 5, inner corona shown in relation to the staminal column ; Fig. 6, an

inner corona-lobe showing also position of anther ; Fig. 7, bud.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

450

C .Letty del.

Plate 450.

CARALLUMA atrosanguinea.

Bechuanaland.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Caralluma, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hool\ f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782.

Caralluma atrosanguinea, N.E. Br. in FI. Trop. Afr. vol. iv. sect. i.

p. 485.

This remarkable plant was first collected by Lugard in

Bechuanaland in 1899, and was described by Dr. N. E.

Brown two years later as Stapelia atrosanguinea. When

monographing the family Asclepiadaceae for the “ Flora of

Tropical Africa,” Brown placed the plant in the genus

Caralluma, to which genus it more properly belongs. Of all

the members of the tribe Stapelieae we have figured, this

plant shows characters which we have not noticed before.

The corolla-tube is basin-shaped, with the limb and lobes

spreading abruptly from it ; the corolla-lobes have the

appearance of being cordate at the base and slightly over-

hanging the tube forming a 10-lobed ridge round the mouth.

These characters are seen in the flower after being dried and

soaked out again, and are not quite so distinct in the fresh

flower. The plants were collected by the Station Master of

Pilane in Bechuanaland, and were grown by Mr. J. C. J.

Knobel in Pretoria, where they flowered in January 1931.

Our plate was prepared from these plants.

Description : — Stems branched, 1 cm. in diameter,

obscurely 4-angled, with recurved teeth on the angles.

Flowers solitary. Pedicel 5 mm. long. Sepals 5 mm. long,

ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, acute. Corolla 4 cm. in

diameter when fully expanded; tube shallowly basin-shaped,

minutely hairy; lobes 1-7 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, ovate, sub-

acuminate, acute, with two cushions at the base, minutely

hairy below, glabrous above. Outer corona-lobes 2 mm. long,

2 mm. broad, slightly recurving, channelled on the inner face ;

inner corona-lobes about 8 mm. long, arising from the angles

of the outer corona-lobes, at first incumbent on the staminal

column and then overtopping the staminal column and

radiating, with the radiating portion terete and papillose.

(National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 10063.)

Plate 450. — Fig. 1 , calyx and young flower bud ; Fig. 2, corona ; Fig. 3,

an outer corona-lobe ; Fig. 4, an inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

45/

E . Niera eyer del.

Plate 451.

HUERNIA ZEBRINA.

Zululand.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Huernia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Huernia zebrina, N.E. Br. ; FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 921.

This Plate should be compared with Plate No. 229, as the

two species are closely related. Huernia zebrina bears a

larger flower than H. transvaalensis, and may be distinguished

by the corolla-tube being glabrous within. It falls into a

section of the genus in which a well-developed annulus is

formed on the corolla-tube, and in this respect compare Plates

216 and 380, which illustrate species without this character.

The species is a particularly handsome one in the genus, and

responds easily to careful cultivation.

Our Plate was prepared from specimens which flowered at

the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, but the origin of the

plant is unknown.

Description : — Stems clustered, usually 5-angled, occasion-

ally 4-angled, up to 2-5 cm. in diameter (including the teeth) ;

angles sharply armed with triangular teeth about 3 mm. long.

Flowers arising at the base of the stems, odourless. Pedicels

about 1 cm. long, terete, glabrous. Calyx-lobes 1*1 cm. long,

long-acuminate from an ovate base, with a more or less distinct

keel. Corolla 6 cm. in diameter when fully expanded; tube

1*2 cm. long, campanulate, greyish and glabrous without, dark

purple and glabrous within ; disc swollen into a broad, fleshy

annulus; lobes 1-8 cm. long, 2 cm. broad at the base, tri-

angular-ovate, acuminate, acute, with transverse dark purple

and light yellowish bands, greyish and glabrous beneath,

pubescent above ; teeth in sinuses distinct. Under-surface of

flower with 10 distinct ribs. Outer corona a disc lying closely

appressed to the corolla-tube, dark purple with an inner

white portion, so that when examining the disc in situ it

appears to be 5 white bifid lobes ; inner corona erect and in-

cumbent over the staminal column, 2-5 mm., long, linear, with

a thickened ridge at the bend. (National Herbarium, Pretoria,

No. 10,139.)

Plate 451. — Fig. 1, unopened bud; Fig. 2, calyx; Fig. 3, longitudinal

section of flower with corona removed ; Fig. 4, corona seen from above ;

Fig. 5, an inner corona-lobe ; Fig. 6, cross-section of stem.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4rS2

Plate 452.

HUERNIA Vogtsh.

Transvaal.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Huernia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Huernia Vogtsii, Phillips, sp. nov. ; affinis H. Loesenerianae sed lobis

coronae interioris longioribus difiert.

Caulis ramosus. Rami 4r-9 cm. longi, 1-2-2 cm. lati, 4-angulati, angulis

dentatis. Pedicellus 1-5 cm. longus, glaber. Sepala 9 mm. longa, linearia,

acuminata. Corolla 3-7 cm. diam. ; tubus 5 mm. longus, 9 mm. latus,

campanulatus, extra minute punctatus, intra papillosus; lobi 1-5 cm.

longi, basi 1 cm. lati, ovati, acuminati, apice acuti, dense papillosi. Corona

exterior discoidea; lobi quadrati, apice truncati; lobi coronae interioris

3-5 mm. longi, compressi, apice carnosi, glandulosi.

Transvaal. Rustenburg distr. : Crocodile Poort, Vogts in National

Herb. No. 10144.

The species of Huernia shown on the accompanying Plate

is most nearly allied to H. Loesenerianae illustrated on Plate

216. It differs, however, in the corolla being much more

densely papillate, in the longer, more acuminate corolla-lobes,

in the outer corona-lobes being truncate and not rounded at

the apex, and in the inner corona-lobes being quite 1 mm.

longer and extending further beyond the staminal column.

This is another member of the tribe Stapelieae found growing

in the Rustenberg district, and was collected by Mr. L. R.

Vogts near Crocodile Poort growing with H . transvaalensis in

open veld under the shade of low shrubs. In cultivation it

becomes a strong, sturdy plant, and flowers profusely. The

plant flowered at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, in

January 1932.

Description : — Stems branched. Branches 4-9 cm. long,

1-2-2 cm. broad, 4-angled, with the angles acute and

bearing prominent conical teeth; teeth semi-pungent when

young, tipped with a pale callus when older. Flowers several

together developing successively. Pedicel 1-5 cm. long, terete,

glabrous. Sepals 9 mm. long, linear, acuminate. Corolla

3-7 cm. in diameter, pale yellow with longitudinal maroon

markings; tube 5 mm. long, 9 mm. in diameter, minutely

punctate without, with bands of maroon-coloured markings

within and glabrous at the base, densely papillate on the upper

portion; lobes 1-5 mm. long, 1 cm. broad at the base, ovate,

acuminate, acute, densely papillate; papillae usually pale

yellow on lower half, maroon-coloured on upper half. Outer

corona dark maroon-coloured, distinctly visible against a

lighter reddish background at the base of the tube; lobes

1*75 mm. long, 1-5 mm. broad, quadrate, almost truncate;

inner corona-lobes 4 mm. long, flattened, with a distinct crest

about the level of the staminal column, swollen and glandular-

papillose on the swollen portion.

Plate 452. — Fig. 1, bud ; Fig. 2, sepal ; Fig. 3, portion of corolla showing

papillae ; Fig. 4, corona seen from above ; Fig. 5, corona (side view) ; Fig. 6,

inner corona-lobe; Fig. 7, cross-section of stem.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

453

C. Lelty del.

Plate 453.

HUERNIOPSIS decipiens.

Bechuanaland, Griqualand West.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Huerniopsis, N.E. Brown in Journ. Linn. Soc. Bot. vol. xvii. p. 171.

Huerniopsis decipiens, N.E. Br. l.c. ; FI. Cap. vol. iv. 1. p. 922.

This stapelioid plant represents the interesting monotypic

genus Huerniopsis, and was first described and figured by

Dr. N. E. Brown in 1878. The genus is distinguished from its

near allies Huernia and Piaranthus ; from the former by the

absence of an outer corona and absence of teeth between the

corolla-lobes, and from the latter by its tubular corolla and

absence of a dorsal crest on the corona-lobes. Our plant is

slightly larger than Brown’s specimens, but differs in no

essential character.

The specimen figured was collected by Mr. J. C. Knobel at

Molepolole, Bechuanaland, and was grown by Mr. J. C. J.

Knobel at Pretoria, where it flowered in January 1931. The

species is also recorded from Griqualand West and the South-

West Protectorate. The locality “ Griqualand East ” in FI.

Cap. l.c. is incorrect.

Description : — A dwarf succulent. Stems decumbent,

2*5-8 cm. long, 8-12 mm. thick, obtusely 4-angled with

spreading teeth, glabrous, dull green or purplish-tinted.

Flowers 1-4 together at the middle or towards the apex of the

young stems, opening successively. Calyx-lobes 6 mm. long,

ovate, acuminate, glabrous. Corolla 2*5 cm. in diameter

when expanded, brownish red, mottled with yellow; tube

campanulate, glabrous without and within ; lobes 1-2 cm. long,

ovate, subacuminate, with clavate vibratile hairs at the base.

Corona-lobes 4*5 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, linear, obtuse,

indexed and ascending over the staminal column. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 8828.) R. A. Dyer.

Plate 453. — Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, corona attached to and surrounding

the stamina, 1 column ; Fig. 3, lateral view of single corona-segment.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

654

C Letty del.

Plate 454.

STAPELIA rufa.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia rufa, Masson, Stapel. 16. t. 20; FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 965.

In the key to the genus Stapelia given by Dr. N. E. Brown

in the Flora Capensis, two species, S. rufa and S. fissirostris,

are separated on the colour of the corolla. The latter species is

known only from a figure given by Jacquin, and the colour of

the corolla in our specimen agrees with the figure of Jacquin

(as described by Brown) rather than with Masson’s figure

which we have seen. Growing in the succulent collection at

the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, was a plant with a

dark-red corolla which was undoubtedly S. rufa, Masson.

A comparison of this specimen with the specimen we have

figured showed the two to be identical except for the colour of

the corolla, and we are inclined to think that Masson’s and

Jacquin’s figures are but colour varieties of the same species.

The plants were collected by Mr. J. C. van Balen, 10 miles

south of Ladismith, C.P., and grown by Mr. J. C. J. Knobel

at Pretoria, where they flowered in September 1931.

Description : — Plant 12 cm. high. Stems many, erect,

green, becoming olive-green and tinged with dull purple with

age, 7-12 cm. long, 1-2 cm. in diameter with obtuse angles and

almost flat sides when mature, softly velvety; teeth bearing

rudimentary leaves 2*5 mm. long, 1-5 mm. broad. Flowers

2-4-nate at the base or near the middle of the young stems,

successively developed. Pedicels 5 mm. long, stout, velvety.

Sepals 3 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, ovate, acuminate, velvety.

Corolla ovate in bud, acuminate, with the prolonged part

slightly twisted, when expanded 4 cm. in diameter, light green

with darker longitudinal veins and puberulous beneath,

greenish-yellow and banded with dark red above, glabrous

except for the tips of the corolla-lobes; lobes 1-5 cm. long,

0*6 mm. broad at the base, ovate, long-acuminate, minutely

ciliate, pubescent near the tips. Outer corona-lobes burnt

orange in colour, 1-5 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, obscurely

subquadrate, with a short obtuse point, channelled down the

face; inner lobes dark blackish-red, 1-5 mm. long, 0-5 mm.

broad, oblong-cuneate, truncate, shortly 2-lobed at the apex,

pubescent, with a swelling on the back near the base.

(National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 11,291.)

Plate 454. — Fig. 1, portion of stem showing leaves; Fig. 2, flower seen

from beneath ; Fig. 3, a sepal ; Fig. 4, corona ; Fig. 5, corona seen from

above; Fig. 6, inner corona-lobe (front view); Fig. 7, inner corona-lobe

(side view).

F.P.S.A., 1932.

455

C. Leity del.

Plate 455.

STAPELIA olivacea.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia olivacea, N.E. Br. in Gard. Chron. 1875, iii. 136-137 ; FI. Cap.

vol. iv. sect. i. 964.

In a note in Hooker’s leones Plantarum under figure 1920,

Dr. N. E. Brown makes some mention of the colour of the

flower — namely, that all the cultivated specimens he examined

were dark olive-green, while Sir H. Barkly, who collected

living specimens in the Karoo, described the colour as rufous-

red. In our specimens, as will be seen from the accompanying

Plate, the flowers are almost maroon in colour, yet there is no

doubt that it is the same species as that described by Brown as

Stapelia olivacea. The species belongs to a small-flowered

group in the genus in which the corolla-lobes are ciliate with

flat non-vibratile hairs. The plants were collected in the

neighbourhood of Zeekoegat, in the Prince Albert district,

and cultivated in the nursery of the Union Buildings Garden

by Mr. J. C. van Balen. It is a quick-growing species. The

flowers have a disagreeable odour.

Description : — Plant rather compactly branched at the

base. Stems erect, 4-12 cm. high, 0*8 cm. in diameter, very

obtusely 4-angled, with the faces scarcely grooved, slightly

impressed beneath the rudimentary leaves, densely pubescent,

greyish-green, with the grooves and impressed lines purple.

Flowers 1-2 at the base of the young stems. Pedicels 2-4 mm.

long, pubescent. Calyx-lobes 4 mm. long, lanceolate, acumin-

ate, pubescent. Corolla when in bud ovoid, when fully

expanded 2*5 cm. in diameter, lobes very spreading or slightly

recurved, 1 cm. long, 0-8 cm. broad at the base, ovate, acute,

greenish and densely pubescent on the back, deeply and closely

rugose and glabrous on the inner face, ciliate with white simple

hairs. Outer corona-lobes ascending-spreading, 3 mm. long,

simple, linear-lanceolate, deeply channelled on the inner face ;

inner corona-lobes 4 mm. long, linear, appressed over the

anthers, with an erect dorsal horn at the bend. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 11,298.)

Plate 455. — Fig. 1, calyx-lobe; Fig. 2, part of corolla lobe; Fig. 3,

corona ; Fig. 4, an outer corona-lobe ; Fig. 5, an inner corona-lobe ; Fig. 6,

pollinia.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

456

C Letty del.

Plate 456.

HUERNIA confusa.

Transvaal.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Huernia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Huernia confusa, Phillips, sp. nov. ; affinis H. humili Haw. corolla difiert.

Caules ad 6 cm. longi, 4-angulati, glabri; anguli dentati. Flores 4-5-

nati. Pedicelli ad 1 cm. longi, glabri. Sepala 8 mm. longa, ovata, acuminata,

glabra. Corolla 3 cm. diametro ; tubus 6 mm. latus, 7 mm. longus ; lobi

ovati. Coronae exterioris lobi basi tubi appressi, 1 mm. longi, 2 mm. lati,

apice 2-lobati. Coronae interioris lobi 1 mm. longi.

Transvaal : Petersburg distr. ; northern slopes of hills near Haenerts-

burg, along the edge of flat rocky outcrops, Schweickerdt in National Herbarium

No. 11,299.

In the Flora Capensis (vol. 4. sect. i. p. 918) Dr. N. E.

Brown queried the correctness of Schlechter naming a plant,

which the latter had collected at the foot of the Houtbosch berg,

Huernia humilis Haw. As we have now had an opportunity of

examining fresh material from the same general locality, we

must agree with Brown. While our plant is very near H.

humilis as described in the Flora Capensis from a specimen

collected by Bain in the Beaufort West district, there is

sufficient difference in the corolla, taken in conjunction with

the totally different floral region, to warrant us in regarding

our plant as a species distinct from Huernia humilis. The

plant differs from H. humilis Haw. in having larger stem-

teeth, longer pedicels, longer sepals, in the depth and shape of

the corolla-tube, the lesser width of the annulus, and the

differently shaped corona-lobes. For a comparison of these

differences see Brown’s figure in Hooker’s leones t. 1905. The

living specimens were collected by Dr. H. G. Schweickerdt in

the Northern Transvaal, and flowered in Pretoria in January

1932.

Description : — Plant up to 6 cm. high. Stems erect,

4-5-angled (mostly 4-angled), bluish-green, glabrous; angles

with acute spreading deltoid teeth which end in a sharp

spine-like rudimentary leaf about 3 mm. long. Flowers in

groups of 4-5, successively blooming near the bases of the

young stems. Pedicels up to 1 cm. long, glabrous. Sepals

8 mm. long, ovate, long-acuminate, glabrous. Corolla when

in bud greenish-white tinged with red, cup-shaped, hori-

zontally flattened, pentagonal, very shortly and abruptly

pointed at the centre, with 5 acute teeth at the angles and

5 prominent ribs radiating from the point, glabrous; when

expanded 3 cm. in diameter ; tube bright yellowish-crimson,

cup-shaped, 6 mm. wide, 7 mm. deep, smooth ; annulus

slightly overhanging the mouth of the tube, yellowish-

crimson, with flecks of greenish-white, 6 mm. wide; lobes

triangular, shortly acuminate, with irregular light-red markings

on a pale greenish- white ground, minutely papillate; inter-

mediate teeth acute. Outer corona appressed to the base of

the corolla-tube; lobes 1 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, obtusely

2-lobed; inner corona-lobes 1 mm. long, claw-like, bent over

the anthers and not produced beyond them, with a dorsal crest

at the elbow, bright yellow. (National Herbarium, Pretoria,

No. 11,299.)

Plate 456. — Fig. 1, bud ; Fig. 2, open flower; Fig. 3, part of corolla cut

longitudinally ; Fig. 4, a sepal ; Fig. 5, corona ; Fig. 6, an inner corona-lobe.

4J7

C.Letty del.

Plate 457.

STAPELIA Schinzii.

South- W est Africa, Namaqualand, Bechuanaland.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia Schinzii, Berger & Schltr. in Vierteljahrsschrft. Nat. Ges. Zurich 53

(1909), IV. 491.

This plant was described by Berger and Schlechter from

spirit material forwarded to them by Mr. Curt Dinter, though

the species was collected in South-West Africa by Dr. Hans

Schinz as far back as 1886. Since then it has been recorded

from several localities in South-West Africa, Namaqualand,

and also near Lake Ngami. Dr. Berger figured the flower

(Fig. 53) in his Stapelieen und Kleinien, and Dr. K. Dinter gave

a photograph (Fig. 62) of the flower in his publication dealing

with the flora of South-West Africa. The plate of Stapelia

Schinzii should be compared with that of S. Asterias on Plate

392. In general appearance the two species are somewhat

similar, but the former differs from the latter not only in size,

but also in the shape of the corona-lobes. We are indebted to

Mr. J. C. van Balen, Officer-in-charge of the Union Buildings

Garden, for the specimen, which he collected at Windhuk in

South-West Africa and cultivated in Pretoria.

The plant grows easily from seed, but is very susceptible to

disease. Like many other species of the genus, the flowers

have an offensive odour.

Description : — Plant about 6 cm. high. Stems 4-angled,

1- 5-2 cm. broad, including the teeth; in young growths the

teeth ending in small ovate-acuminate leaves. Flower

solitary, arising from the base of the young stems. Pedicel

2- 5 cm. long, 0-5 cm. in diameter, softly pubescent. Calyx-

lobes 0-8 cm. long, 2 mm. wide, lanceolate, softly pubescent.

Corolla 11-12 cm. in diameter when fully open; tube

shallow, slightly rugose; lobes dull green in colour, densely

rugose, becoming smoother and greener towards the tips,

4-5 cm. long, 1-8 cm. broad, ovate, long-acuminate, with the

tips recurved and reflexed, ciliate with clavate hairs. (Note. —

The groundwork of the corolla is a dull green, but the trans-

verse ridges are red, and so close together that the corolla has

the appearance of being dull red.) Corona 1 cm. high,

0-9-1 cm. in diameter; outer lobes spreading, wine-red in

colour, 4 mm. long, 1-5 mm. broad, oblong, acute; inner lobes

dark red tipped with white, 8 mm. high, filiform, with a wine-

red dorsal wing almost as long as the filiform lobe. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 11,295.)

Plate 457. — Fig. 1, clavate hairs from corolla-lobes ; Fig. 2, corona seen

from above ; Fig. 3, corona (side view) ; Fig. 4, an inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4 58

C. Letty del.

Plate 458.

CARALLUMA Marlothii.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Caeaeluma, E. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782.

Caralluma Marlothii, N.E. Br. in Gard. Chron. vol. xxxiv. p. 414; FI.

Cap. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 886.

In 1903 the late Dr. R. Marloth collected this plant in the

Ceres district of the Cape Province, and it was subsequently

collected by Mr. N. S. Pillans in the Laingsburg district. The

species belongs to a section of the genus which has very small

corolla-lobes, not exceeding 3-5 mm. long, and it is the first

of the small-flowered group which we have had the opportunity

of figuring. As will be seen from the accompanying Plate,

the stems are somewhat robust, and the flowers arise in groups

near the apex of the stems. The species is not difficult to

cultivate, and flowers freely. The specimens were collected

by Mr. G. J. de Wyn in the Prince Albert district, and flowered

in the nursery of the Union Buildings Garden, Pretoria.

Description : — Plant 6 cm. high, irregularly branched ;

stems 4-angled, almost square in cross-section in old growths,

1-5 cm. in diameter, dull green, mottled with dull violet,

glabrous ; angles armed with conical teeth, 0-5 cm. long, and

about 0-5 cm. apart, and hardened and whitish at the tip.

Flowers in numerous fascicles of 2-4, scattered along the

middle of the faces of the stems, developing successively.

Pedicels 0-7 cm. long, erect or slightly curved, glabrous.

Calyx-lobes about I mm. long, 1 mm. broad at the base, ovate,

acute, glabrous. Corolla 0-5 cm. in diameter with the lobes

rolled back, 0-8 cm. in diameter when lobes spread out as

flower ages, light green stained with reddish-brown, with a

few white and purple clavate hairs towards the tips of the

lobes; disc spotted, thickly covered with long, white and

purple clavate hairs; lobes curved and rolled back to the

pedicel, 0*3 cm. long, 0-2 cm. broad, oblong-lanceolate, acute,

ciliate with purple and white clavate hairs Outer corona-lobes

about 1 mm. long and broad, erect, narrowing slightly to the

deeply bifid apex, with the two lobes diverging and slightly

recurving; inner corona-lobes oblong, erect, then indexed

over the staminal column, with an oblong and 2-lobed crest

at the arm of the angle. (National Herbarium, Pretoria,

No. 10,141.)

Plate 458. — Fig. 1, bud ; Fig. 2, calyx ; Fig. 3, corona ; Fig. 4, two outer

and an inner corona-lobe; Fig. 5, inner corona-lobe (side-view).

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4S9

C.Letty del.

Plate 459.

EUPHORBIA MALEOLENS.

Transvaal.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.

Euphorbia, L. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 258.

Euphorbia maleolens, Phillips, sp. nov. E. namibensi Marl, affinis sed

involucro differt.

Planta succulenta. Caudex subterraneus. Rami 8 cm. longi. Folia

1 cm. longa, lineari-lanceolata, apice acuta, basi augustata, glabra. Pedun-

culi solitarii, ad 1 cm. longi, bracteati. Involucrum 4 mm. diametro, cam-

panulatum; glandulae circiter 2 mm. latae, dentatae; dentes subulati,

1-2 mm. longi. Ovarium sessile, 5-6 mm. diametro, 3-lobatum. Capula

sessilis. Semina c. 3 mm. longa, globosa, basi truncata.

Transvaal, Zoutpansberg distr. : near Bandolierkop on the way to

Louis Trichardt, Dec. 1925, C. A. Smith in National Herbarium Pretoria

No. 8465.

On Plate 350 we figured a species, E. fusca, which our

present plant closely resembles, but is readily distinguished by

the long subulate teeth of the involucral-glands. It is also

related to E. namibensis, Marloth, but differs in having a

sessile capsule. We were in some doubt about the specific

identity of the plant, and submitted specimens to the late

Dr. R. Marloth, who stated it was an undescribed species.

The plants collected by Mr. Smith were cultivated and

flowered at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria.

Description : — A dwarf unarmed succulent, with an evil-

smelling latex. Main stem obovoid or sub-globose, with a

long root, for the greater part buried in the ground, 3-8 cm.

in diameter, projecting about 2-5 cm. above the ground, sub-

truncate or convex at the apex, covered with large rhomboid

tubercles. Branches in 2-3 rows on the main stem, arising

from between the tubercles, surrounding a bare central space on

the main stem, up to 8 cm. long, 1 cm. in diameter, ascending,

at length curving erect or erect and curved at the base,

strongly tuberculate, leafy at the apex, glabrous. Tubercles of

main stem 1-1*5 cm. long, 0*5-1 *2 cm. broad, compressed from

above; tubercles of branches rhomboid, up to 1 cm. long,

5-0 cm. in diameter, prominent, tipped with a white scar.

Leaves up to 1 cm. long, narrowly linear-lanceolate, entire,

longitudinally folded, acute, narrowed to the sessile base,

glabrous. Peduncles solitary in the axils of the tubercles

among the leaves in the uppermost | of the branches, up to

1 cm. long, bearing a single involucre. Bracts 4^6, early

deciduous, scale-like, long-ciliate. Involucre about 4 mm. in

diameter, campanulate, narrowed to the peduncle, with 5

glands and 5 alternating toothed long-ciliate lobes. Glands

widely separate, dark green above, with a viscid secretion,

about 2 mm. in their greatest diameter, somewhat concave

above, wuth 2-3 subulate teeth 1-2 mm. long. Ovary green,

sessile, 5-6 mm. in diameter, obtusely 3-lobed, banded with

reddish-brown narrow bands ; styles united into a stout

column, about 1-5 mm. long, articulated about 1 mm. above

the ovary ; stigmas 3, thick, yellowish, channelled, somewhat

recurving. Capsule banded as in the ovary, splitting into 3

bony cocci. Seeds about 3 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, globose,

truncate at the base, with lateral ridges meeting in a small

apical protuberance, more or less smooth or somewhat

tuberculate.

Plate 459. — Fig. 1, involucre; Fig. 2, pistil; Fig. 3, stamen (a single

male flower) ; Fig. 4, scale from involucre ; Fig. 5, cross-section of fruit.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

MARY GUNN LIBRARY

SOUTH AFRICA?',' NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE

PRIVATE BAG X 101

PRETORIA 0001

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

C.Letiy del.

Plate 460.

STAPELIA eorcipis.

Cape Province.

Asclepladaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 784.

Stapelia forcipis, Phillips et Letty, sp. nov. ; affinis 8. glabricauli, sed

coronae exterioris lobis bifidis differt.

Planta 14 cm. alta. Caulis glaber; dentes 2-3 mm. longi. Corolla

7 cm. diam., longe pilosa. Coronae exterioris segmenta 5, profunde bifida,

lobis oblongo-linearibus ; coronae interioris segmenta 5, parte dorsali lineare-

ovata, parte interiori longe recurva.

Cape Province : Port Elizabeth distr. : Viljoen in National Herbarium,

No. 11,590.

The nearest representative in the sections to this species

we have figured is Stapelia Asterias var., on Plate 392, but our

species is most closely allied to S. glabricaulis, which is figured

in Hooker’s leones, PI. 1917. It differs from this species,

however, in having the outer corona-lobes deeply divided, so

that the outer corona appears to consist of 10 lobes. The tips

of the lobes curve inwards, so that they resemble a pair of

pincers. The flower is very striking and handsome, and the

plant itself is quite easy to cultivate. The specimens came

from a collection in Port Elizabeth, but were grown by Mr.

J. C. J. Knobel in Pretoria, to whom we are indebted for the

plant which we figure.

Description : — Plant 14 cm. high. Stems light-green in

colour, loosely branching, decumbent at the base, glabrous;

angles much compressed, with erect rudimentary leaves 2-3

mm. long and 1-5 mm. broad. Flowers solitary at the base of

the young stems. Pedicel 5 cm. long, glabrous. Calyx-lobes

6 mm. long, 3 mm. broad at the base, glabrous. Corolla 7 cm.

in diameter, green with distinct veins and glabrous beneath,

pilose, with long whitish-brown hairs above ; hairs on disc and

half-way up the lobes; lobes 2*8-3 cm. long, 1*8 cm. broad,

ovate, acuminate, ciliate with long white hairs. Corona 1*5 cm.

in diameter, 1-1 cm. high; outer corona lobes 5, deeply-

divided to the base, with the lobes 5 mm. long, 1 mm. broad,

oblong-linear, acuminate, incurving and crossing at the tips,

slightly channelled down the face; inner corona lobes 5,

8 mm. long, bent over the anthers and then recurving, pointed

at the apex, with a flattish dorsal wing 4 mm. long.

Plate 460. — Fig. 1, edge of stem showing rudimentary leaves; Fig. 2,

calyx-lobe ; Fig. 3, corona ; Fig. 4, showing an outer and inner corona lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

46/

C.-Letty del.

Plate 461.

STAPELIA gemmiflora var. hircosa

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et HooJc. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia gemmiflora, Masson, var. hircosa, N.E. Br.; FI. Cap. vol. iv.

sect. 1, p. 962.

Stapelia gemmiflora is one of the very early known species

of the genus. In 1796 Masson gave a good figure of the plant,

and in 1816 it was again figured in the Botanical Magazine

from plants which were cultivated in England. The species

belongs to the same section of the genus as Stapelia Pillansii ,

which we figured on Plate 72, but differs not only in the

shape of the corolla-lobes, but also in being ciliate with

vibratile, not simple, hairs. As will be seen from our illus-

tration, it is a particularly handsome species. The corolla is

blackish-purple with irregular streaks of a dull golden colour.

The variety hircosa described by Dr. N. E. Brown differs

from the typical form in having five spreading points near the

base of the bud. It also differs in having the golden markings

on the corolla.

The home of the variety, as far as we have been able to

find, appears to be the Laingsburg district of the Cape

Province. It has been found there by Mr. N. S. Pillans, and

quite recently Mr. J. C. van Balen collected it about 10 miles

south of Ladismith, C.P. We are indebted to Mr. J. C. J.

Knobel for the plant we figure. This he grew in Pretoria

from the specimens collected by Mr. van Balen.

Description : — Stems pale cobalt green with reddish-

brown spots, 7-9 cm. high, 1-1-5 cm. in diameter, obtusely

4-angled; teeth ending in a terete tapering leaf about 1 cm.

long. Flowers solitary near the base of the young stems.

Pedicels spreading, 2 cm. long, 5 mm. in diameter at the apex,

becoming 1 cm. thick and wrinkled in the fruit, glabrous.

Corolla ovoid in bud, 5-angled, with 5 short acute spreading

points on the angles; when expanded 11 cm. in diameter,

with a flattish disc and lobes which later recurve; lower

surface pale green in colour, covered with minute reddish

spots, glabrous; upper surface blackish-purple, sparsely and

irregularly streaked with dull gold, with irregular bright

yellow spots on the disc which form a broken circle, densely

and minutely rugose, glabrous; lobes 4 cm. long, 2*8 cm.

broad, ovate, subacute, ciliate with vibratile slightly clavate

purple hairs. Outer corona of 5 lobes; lobes blackish-purple

and partly marked with light yellow, 8 mm. long, erect-

spreading, deeply 3-lobed; lateral lobes more than half as

long as the central lobe, linear, ascending and gradually

recurving; middle lobe oblong, narrowed into a bifid apex,

channelled down the face, with the sides folded in and meeting

at the centre of the oblong portion ; inner corona-lobes

incumbent on the anthers and produced beyond into filiform

horns which converge and finally recurve, dorsally furnished

with a short toothed flattened horn. Follicles pale greenish

with numerous irregular reddish-green longitudinal linear

markings, 14 cm. long, 1 cm. in diameter, erect, subparallel,

fusiform, glabrous. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 11,315.)

Plate 461. — Fig. 1, a bud; Fig. 2, corona; Fig. 3, an outer corona-lobe

showing the three segments ; Fig. 4, an inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4 62

C.Letty del.

Plate 462.

STAPELIA Engleriana.

Cape Province.

Asclepi ad ace ae . Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia Engleriana, Schltr. in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. vol. 38, p. 49, fig. 8;

FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 979.

In 1907 Dr. R. Schlechter described this species and gave

quite a good figure, and two years later the description in the

Flora Capensis appeared, based on specimens collected by

Burke, Marloth, and Pillans. The species, as far as we know,

is confined to the Laingsburg, Beaufort West, and Prince

Albert districts.

In general appearance the plant is not as attractive as

some other species of the genus. The vegetative habit very

much resembles some species of Euphorbia. The joints on

the stems are, we think, due to injuries. If the stem is broken,

a new growth starts from the broken surface.

The specimen was collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans,

C.M.G., near Beaufort West, and it flowered in Pretoria at

the Division of Plant Industry in January 1932.

Description : — Stems up to 20 cm. high, irregularly

branched, obtusely 4-angled, obscurely toothed, slightly

depressed over the teeth, glaucous on the young growth,

otherwise densely velvety; teeth ending in a hard sharp

spine. Flowers 1-2, arising low down on the face of the stems.

Pedicel 2*5 cm. long, more or less erect, white-hairy. Calyx-

lobes 5 mm. long, nearly 2 mm. broad, lanceolate, acute,

densely pubescent. Corolla-tube pale yellow, speckled with

red, dark red and rugose in upper half, 1 cm. in diameter at

the mouth, 4 mm. deep, pentagonal, with a flattish floor and

with the walls then slightly swelling to form a ridge in line

with the insertion of the outer corona-lobes, slightly hairy;

lobes dark red, 1*2 cm. long, 1*2 cm. broad, ovate, acute.

rugose, becoming smooth towards the apices, minutely pubes-

cent, very shortly ciliate, entirely reflexed and flattened

against the back of the tube, spreading and folding in as the

flower ages and dies. Outer corona-lobes dark red, spreading,

3 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, distinctly bifid at the apex; inner

corona-lobes speckled with red, 8 mm. long, linear, appressed

on the anthers and produced beyond, erectly spreading,

thickened and covered with small convex humps at the apex,

with a dorsal horn 5 mm. long at the bend. (National Herb.,

Pretoria, No. 11,290.)

Plate 462. — Fig. 1, a bud; Fig. 2, back view of flower; Fig. 3, median

longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 4, corona; Fig. 5, an outer corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

163

C.Letty del.

Plate 463.

STAPELIA Leendertziae.

Transvaal.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia Leendertziae, N.E. Br. in Ann. Transv. Museum, vol. ii. p. 168.

This handsome species of Stapelia was first found by Miss

R. Leendertz near Heidelberg in the Transvaal. In 1914 it

was figured and re-described in the Botanical Magazine

(t. 8561) from plants which flowered in the garden of Mr.

W. E. Ledger of Wimbledon in August 1912. The species

differs from all the other species in the genus by the long

corolla-tube. Our plant differs from that figured in the

Botanical Magazine in the corolla being folded at the sinuses

to produce blunt teeth. The flower has the odour of putre-

fying flesh.

We are indebted to the Director of the National

Zoological Gardens, Pretoria, for the specimen which we

illustrate.

Description : — Plant up to 20 cm. high. Stems light

green, mottled with purple in old growths, deeply 4-angled,

with slight depressions above the small leaf-tipped teeth,

velvety pubescent. Leaves about 3 mm. long on young

growths, soon deciduous. Calyx-lobes 1 cm. long, 5 mm.

broad, lanceolate, acute, velvety pubescent. Corolla dark red

tinged with green towards the tips of the lobes ; tube 4-5 cm.

long, 4*5 cm. in diameter at the mouth, distinctly ribbed

without, velvety without, densely long-hairy within on the

lower half; lobes 3*5 cm. long, 2*5 cm. broad at the base,

deltoid-acuminate, ciliate. Corona dark red ; outer lobes

bifid into two spreading subulate points 4 mm. long; inner

lobes 1 cm. long, flattened at the base then produced beyond

the anthers into filiform points, with a large sub-rectangular

dorsal wing 6 mm. long and 3 mm. broad and crenate on the

upper edge. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 11,303.)

Plate 463. — Fig. 1, corona; Fig. 2, inner corona-lobe; Fig. 3, outer

corona-lobe; Fig. 4, section of wall of corolla-tube showing long hairs on

the inner surface.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

464

C . X etty d el.

Plate 464.

STAPELIA GLANDULIFLORA.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia glanduliflora, Masson, Stap. 16, t. 19 ; FI. Gap. vol. iv.

sect. 1, p. 967.

This charming species of Stapelia flowered at the Division

of Plant Industry, Pretoria, and the accompanying Plate

was prepared from these plants. Neither the collector nor

locality is known, but they probably came originally

from the Van Rhynsdorp district. Stapelia glanduliflora

belongs to the same group in the genus as S. Nouhuysii,

which we figured on Plate 345. Dr. A. Berger in “ Stapelieen

und Kleinien,” p. 289, proposes a varietal name Haworthii,

based on a figure in Smith’s “ Exotic Botany,” t. 71, and,

while we have not seen the figure quoted, there can be little

doubt that our plant is Berger’s variety. We do not think,

however, that there was any justification for the variety, and

have therefore not accepted it.

As will be evident from our Plate, the plant, when in

flower, is more delicate than most species of the genus. In

cultivation we do not find it to be one of the vigorous species,

and it requires more attention than most members of the genus.

Description : — Plant 12 cm. high. Stems erect, 4-angled,

3-12 cm. long, 1-2 cm. thick, with the angles in young shoots

somewhat impressed, softly pubescent; teeth tipped with a

rudimentary incurved tooth. Flowers about 7, arising near

the base of the young stems, successively developed. Pedicels

reddish, decumbent, 3-5-4 cm. long, about 1 mm. in diameter,

pubescent. Calyx-lobes 4 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, oblong-

lanceolate, acuminate, shortly pilose without. Corolla 3 cm.

in diameter ; lobes pale green, with light red spots and trans-

verse lines, spreading, with recurved tips, 1 cm. long, 6 mm.

broad at the base, densely covered with clavate translucent

hairs 2-2-5 mm. long, minutely pubescent on the back,

ciliate except near the apex. Corona 4 mm. high; outer

corona-lobes yellow, simple, spreading, 1 mm. long, deltoid,

sub-obtuse, channelled down the inner face; inner corona-

lobes dark red, 5 mm. long, strap-shaped, with filiform apices,

slightly bent over the anthers and then recurving. (National

Herb., Pretoria, No. 11,296.)

Plate 464. — Fig. 1, a sepal; Fig. 2, a corolla-lobe; Fig. 3, corona;

Fig. 4, corona as seen from above.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

A

C. Let'fcy del.

Plate 465.

STAPELIA nobilis.

Natal, Transvaal.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. /. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia nobilis, N.E. Br. in Bot. Mag. t. 7771 ; FI. Cap. vol. iv.

sect. 1, p. 949.

This species, together with S. gigantea and S. Leendertziae,

which we figured on Plates 181 and 463 respectively, are the

three largest flowered species in the genus. S. nobilis differs

from S. gigantea in having a distinct corolla-tube, but this is

not as large nor as evident as in S. Leendertziae. As far as

our records go, S. nobilis is found only in the Transvaal, and

it has been doubtfully recorded from Natal. The species is

easy of cultivation and flowers freely, and when in bloom is

an extremely striking object.

We are indebted to Mr. G. J. de Wyn for plants which he

collected at Hartebeestpoort Dam near Pretoria. They were

growing in grass among stones in moist habitats.

Description : — Plant 10 cm. high. Stems olive green,

with whitish leaf-scars, 4-angled, 1-1*8 cm. thick; teeth not

very evident, 1 cm. apart, tipped with rudimentary leaves.

Corolla in bud greenish-pink with deeper pink ribs, ovoid,

with a long twisted beak, with recurved points at the sinuses ;

corolla when expanded whitish-pink with deeper pink ribs

without, parchment coloured within, with deep red rugose

transverse irregular stripes, 20-21 cm. in diameter, glabrous

without, hairy within with long fine reddish woolly hairs;

lobes 9 cm. long, 3*5 cm. broad at the base, subtriangular,

tapering to a long twisted point, densely ciliate with hairs up

to 1*3 cm. long. Corona 1*3 cm. in diameter; outer corona-

lobes simple, spreading, 6 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, oblong,

bluntly 3-toothed, with the middle tooth longer than the

two lateral; inner corona-lobes dark red, incumbent on the

anthers and then ascending-spreading, with an oblong dorsal

wing 8 mm. long and 4 mm. broad. (National Herb., Pretoria,

No. 11,294.)

Plate 465. — Fig. 1, corona.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4 66

C.Letty del.

Plate 466.

CARALLUMA aperta.

Little Namaqualand.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Cakalluma, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hoolc. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782.

Caralluma aperta, N.E. Br. in Hook. Ic. PI. t. 1905, fig. A; FI. Cap.

vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 887.

As Dr. N. E. Brown points out in his description of this

species, there is a remarkable similarity in general appearance

between Caralluma aperta and Stapelia pedunculata. Masson

(1796) in his “ Stapeliae Novae ” named the plant Stapelia

aperta, but Dr. Brown correctly considers it should rather be

included in the genus Caralluma. The species is quite easy

to cultivate, and forms a more or less compact growth. It is

rather a shy flowerer, not more than one flower being open on

the stem at the same time. Plants were collected by Mr. J. C.

van Balen near Hondeklipbaai in Little Namaqualand, and

were cultivated by Mr. J. C. J. Knobel in Pretoria. We are

indebted to Mr. Knobel for the specimen which we have

illustrated.

Description : — Stems purplish-green, erect or decumbent

at the base, 4-7 cm. long, very obtusely 4-angled, scarcely

toothed, glabrous. Flowers opening in succession near the

base of the stems. Pedicel 3-5 cm. long, ascending, glabrous.

Sepals 3 mm. long, 1-5-2 mm. broad at the base, ovate-

lanceolate, acute, glabrous. Corolla 4 cm. in diameter,

glabrous; tube 0-8-1 cm. long, campanulate, shortly papillate

and purplish-brown in the inner basal half, whitish-yellow

above and marked with small impressed irregular red lines and

dots which form a circular band on the disc; lobes liver-red

in colour, spreading, 1 cm. long, 9 mm. broad at the base,

ovate; acuminate, with slightly reflexed margins, rugulose.

Corona 6 mm. high, 7 mm. in diameter ; outer corona dark red

or almost black, cupular, acutely pentagonal, crenately

denticulate on the rim ; inner corona purple brown or almost

black, 4 mm. long, linear, obtuse, closely incumbent on the

anthers at the base then connivent-erect above, dorsally

connected with the outer corona. (National Herb., Pretoria,

No. 11,292.)

Plate 466. — Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, corona; Fig. 3, corona seen from

above.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4 6 '7

C.L etty del.

Plate 467.

STAPELIA KWEBENSIS.

South Tropical Africa.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et HooJc. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia kwebensis, N.E. Br. in FI. Trop. Afr. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 501.

The Stapelia we figure on the accompanying Plate is in

cultivation at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria. There

is no record of the collector or locality in which it was originally

gathered. The species is interesting, as it differs in habit

from the majority of the species in the genus. The stems are

comparatively thin and the teeth far apart. The species is

also interesting, as it is one of the three species of Stapelia

described in the “ Flora of Tropical Africa.”

While we have no doubt that our plant is the species

described by Dr. Brown in the “ Flora of Tropical Africa,” we

note a few minor differences. The cymes do not arise near the

base of the young stems, as described, and the corolla-lobes

are ciliate. The colour of the corolla also differs. The stems

are sometimes attacked by a scale which becomes so numerous

that the stems have a whitish-brown appearance. The flowers

have a most unpleasant odour.

Description : — Plant 12 cm. high. Stems bright green,

4-angled, 1-1*5 cm. in diameter, velvety pubescent; teeth

1-3 cm. apart, tipped with a rudimentary leaf about 5 mm.

long. Flowers in clusters of 2-9 arising in the grooves about

half-way up the young stems, opening successively. Pedicel

about 1 mm. long, pubescent. Calyx-lobes pale green, 5 mm.

long, 1*5 mm. broad at the base, lanceolate, densely pubescent

without. Corolla spreading, about 3 cm. in diameter, with a

slightly raised ridge at the mouth of the tube, with very close

red markings on an olive-green background, giving a khaki-

coloured effect, pale green and pubescent without, glabrous

within except on the apical portion of the lobes ; lobes 1 -2 cm.

long, 8 mm. broad, ciliate. Corona 3 mm. high, 4 mm. in

diameter; outer corona-lobes dark-red, spreading, 1-5 mm.

long, ovate, tapering to a blunt apex, slightly crenate on the

margins, broadly channelled down the face; inner corona-

lobes 3 mm. long, ovate, acuminate, constricted at the base,

with uneven margins, incumbent on the anthers, with a crest

at the angle. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 11,293.)

Plate 467. — Fig. 1, a calyx-lobe; Fig. 2, a corolla-lobe; Fig. 3, corona,

seen from above ; Fig. 4, inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4 6* 8

C.Lett/y del.

Plate 468.

HUERNIA BARBATA.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Huernia, R. Br. ; Benth. et HooJc.f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Huernia barbata, Haw. Syn. PI. Succ. 31 ; in FI. Cap. vol. iv.

sect. 1, p. 906.

This species is very similar to H. campanulata, which we

figure on Plate 469, but it may be distinguished from that

species by the corolla not having purple spots on the outside

of the tube. All the species of Huernia are attractive plants

when in flower, and the one we now figure is no exception.

Huernia barbata is one of the six species of the genus intro-

duced into cultivation by Francis Masson, who collected

specimens at the Cape over 130 years ago. A coloured illus-

tration of H. barbata was published in the Botanical Magazine

in the year 1823. We are indebted to Mr. J. C. van Balen for

the specimens which he collected at Ladismith, C.P., in

December 1929 and which flowered in Pretoria in January

1932.

Description -.—Stems bluish-green, about 6 cm. high,

2 cm. in diam., glabrous; teeth 5 mm. long, 7 mm. broad at

the base, sharply acuminate. Flowers arising from the bases

of the young stems, developing successively. Pedicels 1-1-2

cm. long, glabrous. Calyx-lobes 5 mm. long, lanceolate,

acuminate, glabrous. Corolla campanulate; tube 1-3 cm.

deep, 1-2 cm. in diameter at the mouth, black and glabrous in

the lowermost third, densely papillate on the upper portion

and base of the lobes; papillae dark-red, up to 3 mm. long,

clavate; lobes 1 cm. long, 1-5 cm. broad at the base, broadly

triangular, with an acuminate tooth 2 mm. long in the sinuses,

spotted with dark purplish-red, minutely papillate. Outer

corona-lobes black, appressed to the base of the corolla-tube,

3 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, deeply and obtusely 2-lobed,

velvety; inner corona-lobes dark purple-red, 5 mm. long,

erect, linear, acuminate, slightly bent over the anthers and

produced beyond into fine points, with a dorsal swelling at the

bend. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 11,311.)

Plate 468. — Fig. 1, a sepal; Fig. 2, portion of corolla showing clavate

papillae ; Fig. 3, corona; Fig. 4, an inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

46 9

Plate 469.

HUERNIA CAMPANULATA.

Cape Province.

Asclepiad ace ae . Tribe Stapelieae.

Huernia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Huernia campanulata, R. Br. in Mem. Wern. Soc. i. 22; FI. Cap.

vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 905.

As pointed out in the text accompanying Plate 468, this

species is closely related to H. barbata, and was one of the

species sent to England by Masson. In 1796 Masson published

a coloured illustration of the species, and in 1809 the Botanical

Magazine (t. 1227) figured specimens of this species which were

cultivated in England.

Besides the difference between this and H. barbata as noted

under Plate 468, there are other differences between the two,

as a comparison of the dissections of the flower will show.

We are indebted to Mr. G. J. de Wyn for the specimens,

which he collected at Zeekoegat, 36 miles from Prince Albert.

So far as we know, this is the first record of the species since

Masson collected it. It is easily propagated, and the plants

collected by Mr. de Wyn flowered in Pretoria in December

1930.

Description : — Stems cobalt-green, much marked with

purple especially towards the apices, densely clustered, 6-7 cm.

high. Flowers in clusters of 2-6, arising at the bases of the

young growths, developing in succession. Calyx-lobes 0-9-1

cm. long, 2 mm. broad, linear-lanceolate, acuminate. Corolla

pale greenish-white and spotted with purple without, pale

sulphur-yellow within, marked with raised blackish-purple or

dark-crimson spots which pass into transverse lines in the tube,

minutely papillate and bearded with stiff clavate purple hairs

at the throat of the tube, 4-5 cm. in diameter, campanulate ;

tube dark-purple at the base; lobes 1-2 cm. long, 1-7 cm. broad

at the base, triangular, acuminate. Corona 8 mm. in diam.,

6 mm. high; outer lobes dark-red, 4 mm. wide, transversely

oblong, emarginate, minutely papillose ; inner-lobes dark-

purple, subciliate, acute, connivent over the anthers, with

recurved tips and with a dorsal crest at the bend. (National

Herb., Pretoria, No. 11,308.)

Plate 469. — Fig. 1 , a sepal ; Fig. 2, portion of corolla showing papillae ;

Fig. 3, corona seen from above ; Fig. 4, corona seen in side view.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

47 O

C.Letty del.

Plate 470.

STAPELIA PARVIPUNCTA.

Cape Province.

Asclepiad ace ae . Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia parvipuncta, N.E. Br. in Hook. Ic. PI. t. 1923; FI. Cap.

vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 976.

The species figured on the accompanying Plate somewhat

resembles, in general appearance, Stapelia concinna, which we

illustrated on Plate 375. Dr. N. E. Brown, in the original

description of the species, states that living plants were

received from Sir H. Barkly, and which flowered in Brown’s

collection in 1878. It has been recorded from the Laingsburg,

Beaufort West (or Frazerburg) and Prince Albert districts.

Mr. N. S. Pillans was the first of the recent collectors to

rediscover the species. The specimen figured was collected by

Mr. G. J. de Wyn at Prince Albert Road in November 1930

and flowered in Pretoria (Union Buildings collection) in

January 1932.

Description : — Stems dull green stained with purple,

about 6 cm. high, obtusely 4-angled, grooved down the sides,

glabrous ; teeth obtuse, with a whitish scar at the tip. Flowers

1-3 on a stout peduncle, developing successively at the base

of the young growths. Pedicels up to 3 cm. long. Calyx-lobes

3 mm. long, 1*5 mm. broad, ovate, acute, glabrous. Corolla

pale green, profusely spotted with small dark-red spots, 3-5 cm.

in diameter, without a tube, greenish with small and a few

large red spots beneath, glabrous; lobes ovate, acute, ciliate

with long clavate dark-red hairs, slightly rugose. Corona

6 mm. in diameter, 3 mm. high, standing away from the

flattish face of the corolla ; outer lobes dark purplish-brown,

2 mm. long, 1*5 mm. broad, oblong, crenate, 2-lobed on the

outer edge ; inner lobes whitish with purple edge and irregular

spots, 1 mm. long, linear-lanceolate, acute, bent over the

anthers, not meeting at the centre. (National Herb., Pretoria,

No. 11,309.)

Plate 470. — Fig. 1, corona; Fig. 2, outer corona-lobe; Fig. 3, inner

corona-lobe ; Fig. 4, calyx-lobe ; Fig. 5, clavate hair from corolla ; Fig. 6,

section of corolla showing rugosity.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4 77

C. Le tty del.

Plate 471.

STAPELIA conformis.

Cape Province.

Asclepiad aceae . Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hoolc.f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia conformis, N.E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 959.

This species is so distinct that it cannot be confused with

any other species in the genus. The size of the flower com-

bined with the fact that the corolla-lobes are ciliate with

simple hairs and not with clavate vibratile hairs distinguishes

it from all other species of Stapelia. It is one of the more

robust species, having comparatively large and thick stems.

In cultivation this species likes moderate shade and it

flowers more freely than most.

We are indebted to Mr. L. R. Vogts of Waterkloof, Pretoria,

for the specimen figured. Mr. Vogts collected examples in the

Albany district and they flowered in Pretoria in April 1932.

Description : — Stems light green, up to 14 cm. high,

1-75-2 cm. in diam., with much compressed toothed angles,

velvety pubescent ; rudimentary leaves 2 mm. long. Flowers

2 to many, successively developed from a short stout peduncle

at the base of the young stems. Pedicel 1 cm. long, velvety.

Calyx-lobes 7 mm. long, 3 mm. broad at the base, oblong, acute,

velvety. Corolla dull yellowish-green, with numerous crowded

narrow irregular transverse purple-brown lines, with the

margins of the lobes narrowly bordered with dark purple-

brown and with the apical half of the lobes dark purple-brown,

with a greenish spot at the tip of the lobes, 7 cm. in diam.,

transversely rugulose (except tips of lobes) and glabrous within

or with minute erect hairs on the disc, velvety without ; lobes

spreading, 3 cm. long, 1-4 cm. broad, ovate-lanceolate, sub-

acuminate, irregularly ciliate with spreading white hairs

1-3 mm. long. Outer corona-lobes purple-brown, yellow at the

base, ascending-spreading, slightly recurved at the tips, 7 mm.

long, 2 mm. broad, oblong, slightly 3-toothed, channelled down

the face ; inner corona-lobes dark purple-red, connivent-erect,

8 mm. long, triangular, tapering to a sharp point, with a

dorsal toothed wing about half-way up. (National Herbarium,

Pretoria, No. 12,427.)

Plate 471. — Fig. 1, sepal; Fig. 2, corona; Fig. 3, outer corona-lobe;

Fig. 4, inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4 72

C.Letty del-

Plate 472.

DUVALIA TRANS VAALENSIS.

Transvaal ?

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Duvalia, Haw. ; Benth. et Hoolc. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Duvalia transvaalensis, Schltr. in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. xx., Beibl. 51, 54;

FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect, i, p. 1035.

The species of Duvalia we figure is the only species of the

genus suspected of occurring outside the limits of the South

African flora. It is closely allied to D. polita N.E. Br., but

differs in the absence of vibratile clavate hairs on the margins

of the corolla-lobes. Unlike most species in the genus, the

corolla-lobes are not folded back on themselves to form vertical

plates. The species has quite an attractive, if small, flower

and grows well in cultivation. The plant flowered at the

Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, but we have no informa-

tion as to where, or by whom, it was collected.

Description : — Stems up to 6 cm. high, branched, erect,

slender, 6-angled, with the angles bearing fleshy spines,

glabrous; spines with 2 minute teeth at the base. Flowers

few, opening in succession at the bases of the young growths.

Pedicel 3 cm. long, glabrous. Calyx-lobes ovate to linear-

lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous. Corolla yellowish-green and

profusely spotted with purple-brown above, pale green beneath,

3 cm. in diameter, glabrous; lobes sub-erect, IT cm. long,

0-8 cm. broad, ovate, acute; disc D2 cm. in diam., purple-

brown, raised 6 mm. above the insertion of the lobes, minutely

papillate. Outer corona dark red, 5 mm. in diam., sub-

pentagonal, adnate to the disc; inner corona of 5 reddish-

pink fleshy lobes ; lobes 1 mm. long, incumbent on the backs

of the anthers, with a short more or less erect dorsal pro-

jection. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 11,300.)

Plate 472. — Fig. 1, flower bud ; Fig. 2, flower seen from the back ; Fig.

3, corona ; Fig. 4, corona-lobes ; Fig. 5, a sepal ; Fig. 6, cross-section of

stem ; Fig. 7, a stem tooth.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

47 3

C.Le tty del.

Plate 473.

PIARANTHUS comptus var. ciliatus.

Cape Province.

Asclbpiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Piaranthus, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782 (partly).

Piaranthus comptus, N.E. Br. var. ciliatus N.E. Br. in FI. Cap.

vol. iv. sect, i, p. 1023.

On Plates 324 and 378 we figured two species of Piaranthus

and are now able to show a third species. The genus Piar-

anthus requires further study on living material before the

species can be satisfactorily separated. Up to the present not

sufficient material has been examined to enable us to say

whether or not all the species described in the Flora Capensis

should be recognised. The plant we figure on the accompany-

ing Plate, and have named P. comptus var. ciliatus, agrees quite

well with the description, but differs in such minor details

with other named species that we suspect more species have

been recognised than there actually are. Our Plate was

prepared from specimens collected by Mr. G. J. de Wyn at

Zeekoegat, 36 miles from Prince Albert, where they were

found growing under bushes. The plants flowered in Pretoria

in December 1931. The flowers have a sour odour which gets

stronger as they mature.

Description : — Plant forming a compact body. Stems

greenish-grey, T5-3 cm. long, 1-2 cm. in diam., obtusely

4-angled, obscurely toothed in the older growths but with the

teeth tubercle-like in the young growth. Flowers 1-4,

usually 2, together arising between the angles near or at the

apex or sometimes near the middle of the stems. Pedicel

erect, 0-6-1 cm. long, glabrous. Calyx-lobes 2 mm. long,

lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous. Corolla pale green beneath,

whitish above and marked with dark purple-red spots, 2 cm.

in diam., glabrous beneath, covered with irregular purple and

white hairs above, ciliate with a few vibratile clavate hairs;

disc flattish; lobes 8 mm. long, 4 mm. broad at the base,

ovate-lanceolate, acute, with the margins slightly recurved.

Corona-lobes purple-red, closely incumbent on the anthers and

not prolonged beyond them, 1 mm. long, linear-lanceolate,

obtuse, dorsally expanded at the base into an emarginate crest.

(National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 11,297.)

Plate 473. — Fig. 1, sepal ; Fig. 2, corolla-lobe seen from above; Fig. 3,

corolla-lobe seen from beneath ; Fig. 4, portion of corolla-lobe showing

hairs ; Fig. 5, corona ; Fig. 6, corona seen from above ; Fig. 7, corona-lobe

(side view).

F.P.S.A., 1932.

474

C.JLetty del.

Plate 474.

DU VALIA MACULATA.

Cape Province.

Asclepiad aceae . Tribe Stapelieae.

Dtjvalia, Haw. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Duvalia maculata, N.E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 1033.

This species of Duvalia is closely related to D. parviflora

which we figured on Plate 376, but it differs from that species

in the colour of the corolla and in the sunken corona, which is

much below the level of the rim of the annulus. We have been

somewhat uncertain of the specific identity of the plant, but as

it agrees so well with Pillans No. 31, the type of D. maculata,

we have figured and described it under this name. The genus

Duvalia is very little known and requires further study based

on living material. When this is done our ideas of the limits

of the species may be considerably altered. Previously the

only record for the species was from near Aberdeen Road, where

it was collected by Mr. N. S. Pillans. The specimens we have

illustrated were collected at Prince Albert Road by Mr. G. J.

de Wyn and cultivated in Pretoria, where they flowered in

February 1932.

Description : — Plant forming a more or less compact

growth. Stems 1-5-3 cm. long, 1-5-1 -7 cm. in diam., oblong in

outline or sometimes almost sub-globose, obscurely 5-6 angled ;

angles toothed with conical pungent teeth, with a very minute

tooth on either side of the main tooth. Flowers 1-2, arising

about the middle or near the apex of the stems. Pedicel 1 -5 cm.

long, terete, glabrous. Sepals 2 mm. long, ovate-oblong,

obtuse, glabrous. Flower light greenish-brown in colour,

2 cm. in diam. ; lobes 9 mm. long, replicate, deeply channelled

beneath, with 2-3 minute hairs on the edges at the base,

glabrous above and beneath ; annulus 6 mm. in diam., suffused

with pink, minutely pubescent. Outer corona reddish, 4 mm.

in diam. ; inner corona-lobes seen from above appearing to be

spathulate structures with the narrow end over the stamina!

column, but when seen sideways consisting of a semi-vertical

conical horn overtopping the staminal column and with a

horizontal horn lying on the staminal column. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 11,310.)

Plate 474. — Fig. 1, a bud ; Fig. 2, flower seen from the back ; Fig. 3, a

sepal ; Fig. 4, corona and annulus ; Fig. 5, inner corona-lobes, (a) seen from

above, (b) seen from the side.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4 75

C.beXty del.

Plate 475.

TAVARESIA Barklyi.

Cape Province, Orange Free State, Namaqualand.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Tavajresia, Welw. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784 (under

Decabelone Decne.).

Tavaresia Barklyi, N.E. Br. in FI. Trop. Afr. vol. iv. sect. 1 ; FI. Cap.

vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 901.

The genus Tavaresia was first suggested by Dr. Friedrich

Welwitsch in 1854 for a plant he collected in Angola and which

he described as T. angolensis. This name and description was

lost sight of for many years, and in 1870 Decaisne described a

specimen he received from Angola as Decabelone elegans. The

latter generic name was taken up by the Botanical Magazine

in 1874 and 1875 for two plants illustrated in that work.

Bentham and Hooker in their Genera Plantarum (1876) and

Engler in the Pflanzenfamilien (1895) keep up the later name

Decabelone. It was Dr. N. E. Brown in the Flora of Tropical

Africa (1904) who first used the older and therefore correct

name of Welwitsch’s. An excellent coloured plate of the

plant we figure appeared in the Botanical Magazine, Tab. 6203,

under the name of Decabelone Barklyi. It was named in

honour of Sir H. Barkly, who found the plant in the Karoo

near the Orange River.

The genus Tavaresia is very distinct in the family Ascle-

piadaceae. It is characterised by the long corolla-tube and

the long filaments of the outer corona, which terminate in

knobs. Three species of the genus are known, two of which

occur in South Africa and two in tropical Africa. Tavaresia

Barklyi occurs in both regions. The specimen we figure was

grown in Pretoria by Mr. J. C. Knobel from plants collected by

Miss M. Wilman at Koffiefontein in the Orange Free State.

Description : — Stems bluish-green, 4-7 cm. high, 1-5 cm.

in diam., cylindric, 10-12-angled, glabrous ; angles closely set

with white tubercles, each tubercle terminated by 3 purple

bristles; lateral bristles diverging; central bristle horizontal

or ascending. Flowers 1-4, arising from the base of the young

stems, opening successively. Pedicel 5 mm. long. Calyx-lobes

6 mm. long, 2 mm. broad at the base, ovate-lanceolate,

acuminate, 3-lobed with the 2 lateral lobes smaller than the

middle lobe. Corolla unevenly spotted and marked with dark

red spots or stripes without, pale yellow and spotted with dark

red within, entirely purple at the base of the tube; tube 3-5

cm. long, 2 cm. wide at the mouth, slightly constricted on the

underside at about the lowermost third; lobes 1*5 cm. long,

1*5 cm. broad at the base, ovate, long-acuminate. Outer

corona-lobes connate, each lobe produced into two long thread-

like appendages about 7 mm. long; each appendage with a

terminal globose knob ; inner-lobes joined at the base to the

outer, appressed over the anthers, 1-5 mm. long, linear-

lanceolate. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 12,939.)

Plate 475. — Fig. 1, calyx-lobe; Fig. 2, part section of flower showing

outer corona ; Fig. 3, inner corona ; Figs. 4, 5, inner corona lobes.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

Plate 476.

TAVARESIA grandiflora.

Transvaal , South-West Africa.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Tavaeesia, Welw. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784 (under

Decabelone Decne).

Tavaresia grandiflora, Berger in Spapelieen und Kleinien,

p. 45.

In Engler’s Pflanzenfamilien, vol. iv., ii. p. 276, Schumann

published the name Decabelone grandiflora for this species.

When monographing the family A sclepiadaceae for the Flora of

Tropical Africa, Dr. N. E. Brown considered Decabelone

grandiflora as synonymous with Tavaresia angolensis Welw.

Dr. A. Berger, who in 1910 published an account of the

Stapelieae, pointed out that there was a difference between

Decabelone grandiflora Schum. and Tavaresia angolensis Welw.

He points out that in the latter species the stems are 6-8-

angled and the spines erect, while in the former species the

stems are 10-12-angled and the spines reflexed. He therefore

accepted Schumann’s name as applying to a distinct species

and published the new combination Tavaresia grandiflora.

A comparison of this plate with Plate 475 ( Tavaresia

Barldyi) will show that there is not only a difference in the

size of the flowers but the anatomical details also differ. The

specimen we figure was grown at the Division of Plant Industry,

Pretoria, from specimens collected by Mr. J. J. van Nouhuys

between Chumespoort and ’MPahlele’s river drift in the

Petersburg district of the Transvaal. The plants were

growing in the shade of trees and it is a profuse flowerer.

Description : — Stems a deep green, up to 20 cm. high,

cylindric, about 14-angled, 1-5-2 cm. in diam. ; angles closely

set with tubercles each of which is terminated by 3 white

bristles, with the central bristle horizontal-ascending and the

two lateral rather shorter and deflexed. Flowers solitary.

arising at the base of the young stems. Pedicel slightly

marked with red, 2-2’5 cm. long, about 5 mm. in diam. at the

apex. Calyx-lobes pale green, 1-2 cm. long, 4 mm. broad,

lanceolate, long-acuminate, glabrous. Corolla pale green with

purple-red markings without, pale yellow and speckled with

purple within, entirely purple-red at the base of the tube ; tube

10 cm. long, 3-7 cm. in diam. at the mouth, densely papillate

within, with the papillae decreasing in size towards the base of

the tube ; lobes 3 cm. long, 3-2 cm. broad at the base, ovate,

acuminate, papillate. Older corona 1-8 cm. high, connate at

the base for 5 mm. of its length and then divided into 10

appendages which taper into filiform processes and each

ending in a globose knob ; between each pair of appendages is

an acute tooth 2 mm. long; inner corona-lobes 3 mm. long,

strap-shaped, acuminate, incumbent on the anthers. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 11,307.)

Plate 476. — Fig. 1, cross-section of stem ; Fig. 2. portion of coralla-tube

showing papillae ; Fig. 3, corona ; Fig. 4, part of corona seen from above ;

Fig. 5, a sepal.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

/,77

C.Letty del.

Plate 477.

STAPELIA GRANDIFLORA.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia grandiflora, Masson, Stap. 13. t. 11 ; FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1,

p. 945.

In 1797 Francis Masson, who collected this species in South

Africa, published a description and a coloured plate of it.

The Botanical Magazine (PI. 585) in 1801 also illustrated the

species in colour, the plate being prepared from specimens

which flowered in cultivation in England. This species is

closely allied to S. hirsuta, but is distinguished by the habit

of growth and by the fact that S. grandiflora has no transverse

markings on the corolla. The structure of the corona is very

similar in both species. The species has been recorded from

the Uitenhage, Alexandria, Somerset, and Bathurst districts

of the Cape Province. The specimen we have illustrated was

cultivated at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, and was

originally collected near Port Alfred by Miss G. Blackbeard of

Grahamstown.

Description : — Stems 17 cm. high, with 4 very compressed

angles which are prominently toothed with incurved-erect

rudimentary leaves, velvety-pubescent. Flowers solitary at

the bases of the young growths. Pedicel 1*7 cm. long, almost

villous. Calyx-lobes about 1 cm. long, lanceolate, acute,

almost villous. Corolla reddish-brown, without transverse

markings, 12-13 cm. in diam., velvety beneath, with the disc

and lower portion of the lobes densely covered with long

reddish-brown simple hairs, long ciliate; disc slightly sunk;

lobes 5-5 cm. long, 3 cm. broad, ovate-lanceolate, rugose,

glabrous on the uppermost third. Outer corona-lobes dark

purple-brown, yellow at the base, 8 mm. long, 2 mm. broad,

ascending-spreading, linear-oblong, with a short subulate

point and faintly crenate above, concave on the face; inner-

lobes dark purple-brown, ascending-spreading, 1 cm. long,

5 mm. broad, with a broad dorsal wing adnate for almost its

whole length to the triquetrous lobe, with the dorsal wing

toothed at the apex. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No.

12,428.)

Plate 477. — Fig. 1, a sepal; Fig. 2, corona; Fig. 3, inner corona-lobe;

Fig. 4, outer corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4-7S

C. Letty del.

Plate 478.

STAPELIA DESMETIANA.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia desmetiana, N.E. Br. in Gard. Chron. 1889, vi. p. 684;

FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 941.

The species of Stapelia figured is another example of the

“ hirsnta ” group in the genus. The figure should be compared

with that on Plate 477 (S. grandiflora). Stapelia desmetiana

differs from that species in the corolla being hairy to the tips

of the lobes. Dr. N. E. Brown gives an excellent figure of

the species in Hooker’s leones Plantarum (PI. 1916) and

remarks on the extreme variability in the shape of the

inner corona-lobes. Stapelia desmetiana has a very similar

distribution to that of S. grandiflora, but was not recorded

by any of the early collectors. We are indebted to

Mr. J. C. J. Knobel for the specimen, which flowered in his

collection in Pretoria.

Description : — Stems reddish-green, branched, up to

15 cm. high, 2 cm. in diam., densely velvety pubescent;

angles much compressed and the teeth with erect rudimentary

leaves or whitish leaf-scars. Flowers solitary, arising on the

lower portion of the young stems. Pedicel 1-5 cm. long,

villous. Calyx-lobes 7 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, ovate-lanceo-

late, acute, pubescent. Corolla very pale purple-yellow to

dark flesh-red, with transverse yellowish lines, 14 cm. in

diam., pubescent beneath, rugose and densely hairy above

with straight simple purple and white hairs ; lobes 6 cm. long,

3 cm. broad, ovate, acuminate, ciliate with long simple hairs.

Outer corona-lobes pale yellow with a broad purple mark down

the inner face, ascending-spreading, recurved at the tips,

6 mm. long, ovate-oblong, channelled down the face, sub-

crenate on the upper half; inner-lobes dark purple-brown,

pale yellow towards the tips, 2-horned, connivent-erect ; inner

horn 1*3 cm. long, subulate, recurving; outer horn 1 cm. long,

oblong, sub-crenate, joined to the inner horn at the base.

(National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 11,305.)

Plate 478. — Fig. 1, a sepal; Fig. 2, corona; Fig. 3, outer corona-lobe;

Fig. 4, inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4 7.9

C.Letty del.

Plate 479.

HUERNIA scabra var. immaculata.

Cape Province.

Asclepladaoeae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Huebnia, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Huernia scabra, N.E. Br. var. immaculata, N.E. Br. : FI. Cap.

vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 916.

Under Plate 444 we figured and described a variety of

Huernia scabra and on the accompanying Plate have illus-

trated another of the varieties described in the Flora Capensis.

It differs from the type principally in the absence of a raised

convex ring around the mouth of the corolla-tube. As pointed

out by Dr. N. E. Brown in the Flora Capensis, the various

varieties of H. scabra merge into one another and also into H.

brevirostris, which was described by Dr. Brown in the Gardeners’

Chronicle for the year 1877. This will only be settled when a

large number of specimens have been examined, and in the

meantime we think it desirable to keep up the varietal names.

The Plate was prepared from specimens which flowered in the

collection of Mr. J. C. J. Knobel, Pretoria, but we have no

information as to the locality in which it was collected.

Description : — Stems dull green, compact, erect, up to

5 cm. high, sharply angled, with sharp teeth, glabrous.

Flowers 1-3, developing successively from the bases of the

young stems. Pedicel 1-2 cm. long, glabrous. Calyx-lobes

5 mm. long, 1-5 mm. broad at the base, ovate-lanceolate,

glabrous. Corolla purplish-pink and ribbed without, pale

greenish-yellow within, 3-3 cm. in diam. ; tube with a pink

ring at the base, papillate at the mouth and in the throat, with

the papillae tipped with a short acute hair ; lobes 1 cm. long,

1-2 cm. broad at the base, sparsely papillate, very shortly

ciliate. Corona 5 mm. in diam. ; outer lobes dark red,

appressed to the base of the tube, shortly 2-lobed, velvety;

inner lobes 3 mm. long, linear-lanceolate, erect, bent over the

anthers and connivent at the tips, with a dorsal swelling at

the bend. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 11,304.)

Plate 479. — Fig. 1, young bud ; Fig. 2, a sepal ; portion of corolla show-

ing papillae in the tube ; Fig. 4, corona ; Fig. 5, an inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

4SO

C.Letty del.

Plate 480.

STAPELIA verrucosa var. pulchra.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Stapelia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.

Stapelia verrucosa, Masson, var. pulchra, N.E. Br.

The species S. verrucosa, according to Dr. N. E. Brown, is

only known from a specimen collected by Francis Masson and

preserved in fluid at the British Museum. This specimen and

the figure Masson gives agree in having 5 well-marked

channels radiating to the angles of the annulus. This character

has not been observed in any subsequent specimens collected.

The commonest form of the species appears to be var. pulchra,

which is illustrated on the accompanying Plate. As will be

seen from the figure, the flowers are particularly handsome and

in general appearance resemble those of S. variegata. The

specimen from which our Plate was prepared was grown by

Miss Forsyth at Prince Albert. Plants were brought to Pre-

toria by Mr. G. J. de Wyn, where they flowered in April 1932.

The original habitat of the specimens is unknown.

Description : — Stems bluish-green, mottled with purple,

shallowly 4-angled, with large conical teeth 8 mm. long,

glabrous. Flowers 1-4, developing successively from the

bases of the young stems. Pedicel up to 1*5 cm. long,

glabrous. Calyx-lobes 5 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, ovate-

lanceolate, acute, glabrous. Corolla pale yellow, covered with

dark red spots which are smaller and more crowded on the

annulus, with the area round the corona entirely dark reddish-

purple, 4 cm. in diam. ; tube 8 mm. deep, with a distinctly

raised solid annulus near the base ; lobes recurved-spreading,

1*5 cm. long, 1-2 cm. broad, ovate, acuminate, smooth beneath,

rugose with small tubercles or with very short irregular trans-

verse ridges above, glabrous. Corona with a few short erect

hairs at the base ; outer-lobes dark purple-red, slightly

deflexed, spreading, 2 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, oblong, bifid,

with the lobes obtuse ; inner-lobes bright yellow, dark red

below and on margins, 2 mm. long, horizontally bent and

incumbent on the anthers, with the tips almost meeting,

ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, with blunt tips and irregular

edges. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 12,425.)

Plate 480. — Fig. 1, sepal; Fig. 2, part of corolla showing staminal

column, annulus, and papillae; Fig. 3. corona; Fig. 4, outer corona-lobe;

Fig. 5, inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1932.

INDEX TO VOLUME XII.

PLATE

GENEEAL INDEX

TO THE

FLO WEEING PLANTS OF

SOUTH AFEICA

VOLS. I-XII, 1921-1932

PREPARED UNDER DIRECTION OF THE EDITOR,

I. B. POLE EVANS, C.M.G., D.Sc., F.L.S.

CHIEF, DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY,

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, PRETORIA, AND DIRECTOR OF THE

BOTANICAL SURVEY OF THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA

INDEX TO VOLUMES 1-12

3

4

INDEX

INDEX

5

6

INDEX

INDEX

7

8

INDEX