MARY GUNN LIBRARY

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' REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

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Biodiversity Institute

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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., LL.D., D.Sc., F.L.S.,

Cfjief, ©ibiaion of ?piant Inbustvp, Department of Agriculture, Pretoria;

anb Director of ti)t 33otantcaI Surbep of tfje ©ttion of Soutl) Africa.

VOL. XIV.

Tlie veld which lies so desolate and bare

Will blossom into cities white and (air,

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:

J. L. VAN SCHAIK LTD.

P.O. BOX 724, PRETORIA

1934.

[All rights reserved.]

TO

THE MEMORY OF

NICHOLAS EDWARD BROWN, D.Sc., AX.

OF KEW, SURREY, ENGLAND,

FORMERLY ASSISTANT AT THE ROYAL BOTANIC

GARDENS, KEW, THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED

IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF HIS INDEFATIG-

ABLE WORK ON THE SYSTEMATIC BOTANY OF

SOUTHERN AND TROPICAL AFRICA, HIS INITIA-

TIVE AND FORESIGHT IN UNRAVELLING THE

GENUS MESEMMIYANTHEMUM WITH SUCH METI-

CULOUS CARE, AND ABOVE ALL FOR HIS EVER-

READY AND PROMPT ASSISTANCE TO ALL

SOUTH AFRICAN WORKERS WHO HAVE SOUGHT

HIS AID.

Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria.

October, 1934.

527

C.Letty &*?!.

Plate 521.

EUPHORBIA Knobelii.

Transvaal.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia Knobelii, Letty sp. nov. ; affinis E. virosae Willd. sed alti-

tudine, colore, podariis corneis non confluentibus, foliis majoribus,

podariis saepe tetracanthis differt.

Frutex carnosus, erectus, spinosus, 30 cm. altus. Rami 5-angulati,

usque ad 2 cm. diam., leviter constricti, glabri; anguli leviter vel valide

sinuato-lobati ; podarii non confluentes, 3 mm. lati. Spinae saepe 4,

inferiores ad 1 cm. longae, divaricatae, superiores ad 3 mm. longae. Folia

2-5 mm. longa, 2 mm. lata, ovata, decidua. Inflorescentia cymosa; cymae

pedunculatae. Bracteae 1 mm. longae, 2 mm. latae, glabrae. Cyathium

5 mm. diam., glabrum ; glandulae 5, subquadratae ; lobi 5, dentati. Styli

base connati; rami apice bifidi. Capsula compressa, profunde 3-lobata,

5 mm. diam.

Transvaal. Zeerust dist. ; Enselsberg, near Zeerust, Knobel in

National Herb. 15,854.

This species of Euphorbia belongs to the Virosae group of

the genus which the late Dr. R. Marloth revised in the South

African Journal of Science (vol. 27, p. 331) in 1930. It differs

from all the allied species in the compressed deeply 3-lobed

fruits. The peculiar marking on the branches — blotches of

dark green on a yellowish-green background — does not occur

in any other South African species so far as we know. Our

figure was prepared from plants growing at the Division of

Plant Industry, Pretoria. The original plants were collected

by Mr. J. C. J. Knobel near Zeerust in the western Transvaal.

Description. — A succulent spiny shrub, up to and over

30 cm. high. Branches erect, up to 2 cm. in diam., 5-angled,

slightly constricted at varying intervals, glabrous; angles

compressed, slightly or conspicuously sinuate-lobed, separated

by concave faces or grooves up to 1*5 cm. deep; spine-shields

separate, sometimes close together so as to appear continuous,

3 mm. broad ; spines in pairs, diverging ; the larger pair up to

1 cm. long ; the smaller pair up to 3 mm. long. Leaves sub-

persistent, 2-5 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, reflexed, glabrous.

Cyathia borne on small cymes; cymes peduncled, sometimes

solitary or more usually 2-3 arising from the same “ eye,” each

cyme bearing three cyathia. Cyathia 5 mm. in diam., broadly

funnel-shaped, glabrous, usually the central one male and

developing first and the lateral bisexual and developing later ;

glands 5, joined at the base, 1 mm. long, 2*5 mm. broad, trans-

versely oblong, 2-lobed; lobes 5, sub-quadrate, toothed.

Styles united below; lobes shortly bifid. Capsule dorsally

compressed, deeply 3-lobed, 5 mm. in diam. ; the peduncle as

the capsule matures is reflexed back on the cyathium. Seed

glabrous.

Plate 521. — Fig. 1, lobe of involucre; Fig. 2, involucre from above;

Fig. 3, male flower; Fig. 4, female flower; Fig. 5, bract; Fig. 6, fruit;

Fig. 7, cross-section of fruit.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

522

Plate 522.

EUPHORBIA ingens.

Natal and Transvaal.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia ingens, E. Mey. in Drege, Zwei Pfl. Documente, 184; FI. Cap.

vol. v. sect. 2. p. 368.

This illustration should be compared with the figure on

Plate 157, and the main differences between the two species

will be evident. Both E. Cooperi and E. ingens grow side by

side on the hills north-west of Rustenburg in the Transvaal.

In the field they may be distinguished even from a distance by

the habit. Both are large trees up to 20-30 ft. high, but the

branches of E. Cooperi are distinctly curved, while those of

E. ingens are more or less straight. In E. Cooperi the cyathia

are sessile, but shortly peduncled in E. ingens. In E. Cooperi

the shields are continuous in a distinct horny band, and well-

developed spines are present, while in E. ingens the shields are

separate, and in our specimen spineless. A close study of these

two species in their native habitat, where they grow together,

would most probably reveal hybrid forms, as they are in

flower at the same time. Both species evidently grow readily

from seed, as plants in all stages of development were observed.

In the specimens examined the middle cyathium has only

male flowers; the two lateral cyathia are undeveloped and

contain male flowers and a rudimentary ovary. The evidence

seems to point either to the species being dioecious or that

female flowers are only occasionally developed. Our speci-

mens were collected by Dr. E. P. Phillips and Dr. H. G.

Schweickerdt in May 1933 on hills north-east of Rustenburg.

This species is the “ Naboom ” of the Transvaal, and gives the

name “ Naboomspruit ” to a small station on the Pretoria-

Pietersburg railway.

Description. — Tree up to 20-30 ft. high with a well-

developed trank and numerous more or less parallel branches.

Branches constricted into numerous segments ; segments

prominently 4-winged, with each wing about 4-5 cm. broad in

its widest part, and with separate spine-shields on the some-

what undulate margin ; spines absent. Cyaihia in groups of

2-5 on short stout peduncles, each apparently single cyathium

really consisting of a central male cyathium and two lateral

abortive cyathia which contain male flowers and a rudimentary

ovary. Bracts about 4 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, ovate,

rounded at the apex. Cyathium cup-shaped, pale-green, with

5 glands and 5 sub-orbicular fringed lobes ; glands broader than

long, rounded above, appearing almost semi-circular in outline ;

lobes membranous, sub-orbicular, fringed. Anthers purplish-

red. Ovary and fruit not seen. (National Herbarium,

Pretoria.)

Plate 522. — Fig. 1, gland of involucre; Fig. 2, lobe of involucre; Fig. 3,

male flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

5 23

C .Letty del

Plate 523.

EUPHORBIA Schinzii.

Transvaal.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia Schinzii, Pax in Bull. Herb. Boiss. vi. 739; FI. Cap. vol. v.

sect. ii. p. 364.

Euphorbia Schinzii is a very common species in the locali-

ties in which it occurs. In the Union it is confined to the

Transvaal, and has been recorded from the Pretoria, Water-

berg, Rustenburg, Pietersburg and Barberton districts, though

it extends northwards into tropical Africa. In the neighbour-

hood of Pretoria it may be found abundantly on the surround-

ing hills forming a semi-cushion type of growth and often

associated with Aloe Davy ana. The plants are often infected

with a fungus, Phragmodothis asperata Syd. The shields on the

angles of the stem which bear the spines, if looked at from the

front, have the outline of an ox’s head, the large spines repre-

senting the horns and a smaller pair of spines behind giving the

idea of the ears.

The specimens from which our plate was prepared were

collected by Mr. C. A. Smith, B.Sc., on the hill-crest between

the New Hospital and the Zoo grounds near Pretoria.

Description. — A spiny succulent plant. Stems jointed,

dark green in colour, about 1 cm. in diam., 4-angled, with the

faces between the angles more or less flat, with discontinuous

shields on the angles; shields about 5 mm. long, slightly

narrowing to the base, with a pair of more or less horizontal

diverging spines 1-1*2 cm. long from the upper portion and

with a much smaller pair of spines behind the large spines.

Leaves 1*0 mm. long, 1*5 mm. broad, ovate obtuse, situated on

the uppermost part of the shield, deciduous, leaving a definite

scar. Cyathia usually in groups of three, the central cyathium

male and the two lateral ones bisexual; involucre 3 mm. in

diam., cup-shaped, glabrous, with 5 glands and 5 broadly

obovate frnged lobes, glands 1-2 mm. broad, transversely

oblong. Ovtyj .dgrfssile, glabrous; styles 2-2*5 mm. long,

shortly united at xhe base, minutely bifid or sub-entire at the

apex. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 10,843.)

Plate. 523.- — Fig. 1, bract; Fig. 2, gland of involucre; Fig. 3, lobe of

involucre ; Fig. 4, male flower ; Fig. 5, female flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

jt'C

*

524

C.Letty del.

Plate 524.

EUPHORBIA CATERVIFLORA.

Cape Province.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Ettphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia caterviflora, N. E. Br. ; FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. ii. p. 286.

Euphorbia caterviflora is a species found in the Karoo and

the Karroid portion of the Orange Free State. It was first

collected by Drege in the Beaufort West district, and later by

Tyson in the Murraysburg district. Recently it was found by

Miss I. C. Verdoom on the Fauresmith Veld Reserve in the

Orange Free State. The plants are growing on the summit of

a Kopjie between rounded stones and in association with

Bergeranthus sp. The plants are usually eaten down by dassies.

(Procavia capensis.)

The specimens from which our plate was prepared were

grown at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria. The

plants originally came from Fauresmith.

This is the first species of Euphorbia we have had an

opportunity of illustrating which belongs to the section of the

genus containing shrubby succulent plants. A comparison of

this plate with those of Euphorbia previously published will

show the differences in habit. In the Flora Capensis the species

is stated to be dioecious, but, on examining a large number of

specimens, we found two mature capsules on specimens which

also bore male flowers. On one branch examined every cya-

thium contained one undeveloped female flower as well as

male flowers.

Description. — A spineless succulent shrublet about 22 cm.

high, irregularly branched and with the ultimate branches very

short and mainly opposite. Primary branches 4-6 mm. in

diam., secondary and ultimate branches thinner ; all obscurely

6-angled, green tinged with purple, rough from minute hard

papillae. Leaves mostly opposite, 2 mm. long, 2 mm. broad

at the base, sagittate, abruptly deflexed. Cyathia in cymes;

cymes about 4 mm. long and 3 mm. broad, irregularly arranged

in twos and threes along the branches; bracts 1 mm. long,

0-6 mm. broad, ovate, apiculate, slightly toothed on the upper

margin, with an occasional minute lateral tooth. Cyathia in

twos or threes, 2 mm. long, 1-5 mm. in diam., cup-shaped,

shortly pubescent without; glands erect, oblong, broader

than long; lobes 0*5 mm. long, 0-5 mm. broad, subquadrate,

toothed. Capsule 4 mm. in diam., subglobose, obtusely

3-lobed, exserted when mature beyond the cyathium on a

pedicel about 0-5 mm. long; styles united at the base, with

ascending-spreading bifid lobes. (National Herbarium,

Pretoria, No. 15,853.)

Plate 524. — Fig. 1 , a leaf ; Fig. 2, involucre laid open ; Fig. 3, a bract ;

Fig. 4, lobe of involucre ; Fig. 5, male flowers ; Fig. 6, young female flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

525

C.Letty del.

Plate 525.

EUPHORBIA Ledienii var Dregei.

Cape Province.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia Ledienii, Berger, Sukk. Euphorb. 80 ; var. Dregei, N . E. Br.

in FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. ii. p. 365.

The Euphorbia we figure is a common species in the districts

of Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth. We have not seen the type

of the species, but our specimens agree so well with the plate

in the Botanical Magazine (t. 8275) that we have no hesitation

in regarding it as the variety. The Flora Capensis states,

“ Cymes usually 3 together,” and we find on the specimens

examined that, while this is the case, the variation may be

from cymes 2 to 4. In some cases there may be 3 bi-sexual

cyathia with a lateral male cyathium attached to each.

The specimens illustrated were growing at the Division of

Plant Industry, Pretoria, and flowered in October 1932. The

species is known as the “ suur noorsdoring.”

Description : — A succulent, spiny, sparsely-branched bush

30-80 cm. high. Branches green, up to 3 cm. in diam., 4-5-

angled, slightly constricted at varying intervals, glabrous,

angles compressed, slightly or conspicuously sinuate-toothed ;

faces concave, 2 mm. apart. Spine shields separated or more

usually (especially in younger portions) connected into a horny

brown border, becoming black in older growths; spines in

pairs, dark brown, becoming black with age, 0-6-1 -4 cm. apart,

diverging, up to 8 mm. long. Leaves rudimentary, scale-like,

0-5 mm. long, arising on the crest of the spine-shields, soon

deciduous. Flowering-eyes 3 mm. above the spine-pairs and

touching or enclosed in the spine-shields. Cymes 2-4 (usually

three) together at each flowering eye. Peduncles 4-5 mm.

long, each bearing one central male cyathium and two lateral

bisexual cyathia, occasionally one of the lateral bisexual

cyathia absent. Bracts scale-like, 2 mm. long, 1-5 mm. broad,

ovate, obtuse, glabrous. Cyathium bright-yellow; involucre

up to 5 mm. in diam., somewhat funnel-shaped, glabrous, with

5 glands and 5 subquadrate toothed lobes ; glands contiguous,

1-5 mm. long, 2*5 mm. broad, transversely-oblong, entire,

with the edges slightly bent down. Ovary exserted beyond the

involucre ; styles united into a column, with bifid spreading or

recurved arms. Immature capsule green, stained with red,

3-lobed, with a keel down each lobe, tipped with the persistent

style. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 14,395.)

Plate 525. — Fig. 1, spines and spine-shields; Fig. 2, lobes and glands of

cyathium; Fig. 3, female flower; Fig. 4, male flower; Fig. 5, stamen;

Fig. 6, young fruit.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

S26

Plate 526.

EUPHORBIA valid a.

Cape Province.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Ettphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia valida, N. E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. ii. p. 356.

Young specimens of E. valida are not always readily

distinguished from the closely allied species E. meloformis.

The latter was first introduced into England about 160 years

ago by Francis Masson, who no doubt collected it near Uiten-

hage, where it is locally fairly common. Under natural condi-

tions E. meloformis is almost invariably broader than high, and

grows with the main body somewhat sunk in the ground, more

markedly so during dry weather. E. valida, on the other hand,

soon becomes taller than broad, has stouter and more persistent

peduncles, and grows with the main body almost completely

above ground even during long periods of drought. At one

time it was frequent “ growing as a solitary plant upon the

plain ” in Jansenville and Somerset Divisions, but has been

destroyed to a certain extent during recent years by man and

animals.

E. valida and E. meloformis are found only a few miles

apart in Albany Division, and of the two, although growing

under much drier conditions in karroid veld, E. valida attains

considerably greater dimensions. The relationship between

the two species has been discussed further by Mr. R. A. Dyer in

Records of the Albany Museum 4, 1 : 67, 90. We were fortunate

in receiving male and female specimens from this collector,

and they flowered at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria,

in September 1933. A young male plant is represented in the

accompanying plate and a mature female on Plate 527.

Known as “ Eselkos ” or “ Pol.”

Description : — Male plant. Plant body sub-globose, 8 cm.

high, 1 1 cm. in diam., 8-angled, with the segments banded with

broad dark green bands and narrower lighter bands, and with

the woody remains of the peduncles persisting on the angles ;

old peduncles varying from 2 to 6 cm. long. Peduncles bearing

the inflorescences arising from the angles on the upper portion

of the plant body, divided into 2-3 arms, with each arm bear-

ing a cyathium at the apex, densely pubescent. Cyathium

8 mm. in diam., with 2 bracts at the base; bracts densely

pubescent. Glands 2 mm. broad, thick, somewhat concave on

the inner face. Scales alternating with the glands, deeply

concave, ciliate, pubescent. Peduncle of male flower densely

glandular- villous ; filament 0-5 mm. long, with a few scattered

hairs ; anthers subglobose, with the thecae distinct, dehiscing

at the apex. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 15,851.)

Plate 526. — Fig. 1, involucre laid open; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3, lobe;

Fig. 4, male flower ; Fig. 5, stamens showing dehiscence of anthers.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

S 27

C.Letty del.

Plate 527.

EUPHORBIA valid a.

Cape Province .

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia valida, N. E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. ii. p. 356.

The accompanying illustration of an old female plant of

Euphorbia valida should be compared with the relatively young

male on Plate 526. The difference in size and shape is almost

entirely due to age, and specimens of both sexes frequently

attain a height of 9 ins. in their native habitat on sandy karroid

flats in Jansen ville, Somerset East, and Albany Divisions.

This plant was sent to us by Mr. R. A. Dyer from Grahams-

town, and flowered at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria,

in September 1933. Known as “ Eselkos ” or “ Pol.”

Description : — Plant-body 16-5 cm. long, about 9 cm. in

diam., oblong in longitudinal section, 8-angled, with the angles

armed with the remains of the old peduncles. Cyathia on

branched peduncles near the apex of the plant body ; involucre

5 mm. long, 3 mm. in diam., shortly pilose ; bracts ovate, shortly

apiculate, concave; glands 1*5 mm. broad, transversely oblong ;

lobes oblong, concave, ciliate. Ovary sessile, pubescent ;

style short, branched into 6 lobes ; stigmas capitate.

Plate 527. — Fig. 1, involucre partly laid open; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3,

lobe of involucre ; Fig. 4, female flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

5 2H

Plate 528.

EUPHORBIA Mumi.

Cape Province.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia Muirii, N. E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. ii. p. 331.

Euphorbia Muirii, shown on the accompanying plate,

belongs to the same group as E. tuber culata figured on Plate 292.

It is a species not very well known, for, so far as our records go,

it has only been collected in the Robertson district by the

late Prof. H. H. W. Pearson, and in the Riversdale district by

Dr. J. Muir. The specimen from which our plate was prepared

was sent by Mrs. D. van der Byl from Great Brak River. We

are in doubt, however, as to whether she collected the plant in

that locality or whether the plant was collected elsewhere and

grown by her. In the Flora Capensis there is a note by

Dr. N. E. Brown to the effect that Dr. Muir informed him that

the above-ground parts of this species are solitary. In the

National Herbarium there is preserved a Muir specimen

(No. 174) with the note “ described in error as being single-

stemed in Flora CapensisP The herbarium sheet which

Dr. Brown actually saw, however, did consist of a single stem.

Dr. Muir also states that the species occurs only as isolated

plants, never gregarious.

Description : — A succulent perennial up to 18 cm. high.

Stem branched or apparently solitary, but then branching

below the surface of the ground, 0-6-1-5 cm. in diam., increas-

ing in thickness upwards, branched above, covered with

rhomboid tubercles and with some persistent peduncles,

glabrous; branches more or less whorled, 05-3-5 cm. long;

tubercles 0-5-1 -3 cm. long, 1-2 mm. high, tipped with a white

leaf -scar. Leaves erect, 0-5-1 -2 cm. long, 1 mm. broad, linear,

acute, glabrous. Peduncles 0-5-2 cm. long, solitary in the axils

of the tubercles, deeply-ribbed, glabrous, bearing 4 bracts and

1 cyathium ; bracts 3-4 mm. long, oblong, acuminate, concave,

crenate, shortly ciliate, glabrous outside, thinly pubescent

within. Involucre 1 *2—1 -5 cm. in diam., cup-shaped, with

5 glands and 5 large transversely elliptic toothed lobes, thinly

pubescent outside and in front of the glands and on the lobes

within, almost entirely stained with bright red; glands 3-4

mm. in diam., broadly cuneate, palmately divided to about

half-way down into 4^6 linear yellowish-white segments, with

each segment dilated and irregularly toothed at the apex, with

the undivided part entirely glandular and yellowish green and

turned up at the inner margin to form a small lip. Ovary

sessile, glabrous; style 3-4 mm. long, divided at the apex into

3 bifid lobes. Capsule sessile, 6 mm. long, 1 cm. in diam.,

obtusely 3-lobed, glabrous. (National Herbarium, Pretoria,

No. 10,853.)

Plate 528. — Fig. 1, cyathium; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3, gland; Fig. 4,

lobe; Fig. 5, male flower; Fig. 6, female flower; Fig. 7, capsule.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

529

C.Letty del.

Plate 529.

EUPHORBIA MAURITANICA.

Cape, Namaqualand, S.W. Africa.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia mauritanica, Linn. Sp. PI. ed. 1. 452; FI. Gap. vol. v.

sect. ii. p. 291.

This species of Euphorbia is allied to E. caterviflora, which

may be seen on Plate 524; both species belong to the same

section of the genus which contains succulent shrubby plants,

but it differs from E. caterviflora in having alternate leaf-scars

and branches. The species is commonly known as the “ geel

melkbos,” i.e. the yellow milk bush, the name being given on

account of the bright yellow cyathia and the milky juice con-

tained in the stem. Euphorbia mauritanica is extremely

common in parts of the Karoo, and in some localities is almost

the dominant species. The latex contains a virulent resin, and

the species is therefore useless as a stock-food plant.

Our plate was prepared from plants growing in the garden of

the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria.

DescRiPTiox : — A spineless succulent shrub up to and over

1 m. high, much branched, leafy only on the young growths.

Branches alternate, terete, smooth, marked with alternate leaf

scars, glabrous; the flowering branches 5 mm. in diam.

Leaves alternate, sessile, soon deciduous, 1-1-3 cm. long, 3-5

mm. broad, lanceolate, acute, glabrous. Cyathia in umbels.

Umbels terminal, usually of one sub-sessile male cyathium

surrounded by 5-6 peduncled bisexual cyathia, with about

3 leaf-like deciduous ciliate bracts at the base. Peduncles

0-6-1 cm. long, articulated, bearing a pair of ovate acuminate

ciliate deeply concave glabrous bracts 3-4 mm. long and 3 mm.

broad. Male involucre 7 mm. in diam., 2 mm. deep, cup-

shaped, glabrous, with 8 dull-yellow glands and 8 subquadrate

bifid ciliate lobes; glands 1-5-2 mm. broad, sub-orbicular,

entire. Bisexual cyathia with 1 female and many male flowers,

articulated at the base to the peduncle ; involucre 2 mm. deep,

cup-shaped, glabrous, with 5 glands and 5 subquadrate bifid or

emarginate ciliate lobes ; glands 2 mm. in diam., suborbicular,

entire. Ovary exserted on a curved stalk, 5 mm. long, glabrous ;

styles 2-3 mm. long, united in lowermost third, bifid and

recurving at the apex. Capsule 5-6 mm. in diam., 3-lobed as

seen from above, with subobtuse angles. (National Herbarium,

Pretoria, No. 10,839.)

Plate 529. — Fig. 1 , bisexual cyathium ; Fig. 2, bract ; Fig. 3, gland ;

Fig. 4, male flower ; Fig. 5, cross-section of ovary.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

530

C.Letty del.

Plate 530.

EUPHORBIA DUSEIMATA.

Bechuanaland.

Euphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.

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

Euphorbia duseimata, R. A. Dyer, sp. nov. ; affinis E. aridae, N. E. Br. et

E. fuscae, Marl, ab ilia pedunculis haud persistentibus, ab hac ramis

paucioribus et minoribus stylis in columnam longiorem connatis ab

ambabus caudicibus subterraneis gracilioribus plus minusve cylindricis

differt.

Planta succulenta humilis, perennis, radice tuberosa caudicibus 1-2 e

tuberi summo emittentis vel continuis. Tuber plus minusve cylindricum

basin versus tenuiter elongatum, radicibus paucis tenuibus lateralibus in-

structum. Caules 1-2, perennes, subterranei, erecti, circiter 7 cm. longi,

0-5-2 cm. crassi. Rami 6-9, carnosi, caudicis apicem versus producti, 4-6 cm.

longi, 2*5 — 4 mm. crassi (exsiccati, tuberculis exclusis) demum decidui, tuber-

culati ; tuberculi circiter 1 mm. patentes, apice truncato 1 cm. lato albo.

Folia minima, mox dicidua. Pedunculi apice ramorum et caulium producti,

5-8 mm. longi, bracteis 2-3 obovato-oblongis ciliatis instructi, haud ramosi

Cyathia $ ; involucrum plus minusve campanulatum, glabrum, 4 mm. altum,

3 mm. diametro ; lobi subquadrati, ciliati ; glandulae 2-2-5 mm. latae,

dentatae; dentes 2-4, simplices vel bifidi, viridi-albi, dilute rubro-notati.

Ovarium sessile, glabrum; styli in columnam 2-2-5 mm. longam connati;

stigmata brevissima, emarginata, glandulosa. Capsula obtuse 3-lobata,

circiter 5 mm. lata ; semina 3-5 mm. longa, plana.

Bechuanaland. About 100 miles north-west of Molepolole, in sandy

soil among thorn trees, G. J. de Wijn in Nat. Herb. Pretoria, 12,426 (specimen

grown in Pretoria and flowered Nov. 1931, type) ; Seletsi, 50 miles south of

Molepolole, J. C. J. Knobel in Nat. Herb. Pretoria, 15,916.

The type of this new species was collected about 100 miles

north-west of Molepolole in Bechuanaland by Mr. G. J. de

Wijn, who sent it to the National Herbarium, Pretoria, where

it flowered in Nov. 1931. It consists of one comparatively

young specimen, which, as may be seen from the drawing, has

two main (underground) stems from the top of a carrot-like

tuber. The presence of more than one main stem is evidently

not a constant feature, for a second specimen in fruit collected

near Seletsi, 50 miles south of Molepolole, by J. C. J. Knobel,

has a single main stem only slightly thinner than the tuberous

root. The specific name, duseimata (meanly clad) refers to the

rather unattractive appearance of the plant.

The species may extend as far south as Cradock Division

in the Cape Province, where in 1927 the writer collected three

specimens very similar in habit to the Bechuanaland examples,

one having two main underground stems and the others one.

The plants were growing in sandy soil on Karroo flats. Slight

differences in the toothing of the glands and length of the

style-column may or may not be of specific importance, and

more material from these and intermediate localities is

required. On Plate 350 of this work is a very similar plant to

Knobel 15,916 under the name E. fusca Marl. Typically

E. fusca has a globular central caudex or main stem, finger-

like branches, and, as pointed out by N. E. Brown in Thistleton-

Dyer FI. Cap. 5, 2 : 319, persistent peduncles.

Owing to inadequate material being preserved, our know-

ledge of many of the succulent Euphorbias of South Africa is

imperfect. Collectors are urged to obtain representative series

of each species illustrating the range in size and growth-form,

as it is known that some vary considerably within very limited

areas.

Description : — Dwarf succulent with a tuberous rootstock.

Tuber more or less cylindric, 1-25-2-5 cm. thick, tapering at

the base into a long tap root and with a few slender lateral

roots. Stems perennial underground 1-2, up to 7 cm. long,

0-5-2 cm. thick, each producing 6-9 branches rising above

ground. Branches cylindric, tuberculate, 4^6 cm. long, 2*5 — 4

mm. thick when dry (excluding tubercles), finally deciduous;

tubercles spreading, about 1 mm. prominent with a white

truncate apex about 1 mm. wide. Leaves rudimentary,

deciduous, their bases forming the tubercles. Peduncles arising

at the tips of the branches and on the apex of the stems,

5-8 mm. long, with 2-3 obovate-oblong, obtuse, ciliate,

deciduous bracts. Involucres solitary, cup-shaped, 3 mm.

wide and 4 mm. deep, glabrous, with 5 glands and 5 sub-

quadrate ciliate lobes. Glands more or less contiguous, 2-2-5

mm. in their greater diameter, transversely elliptic-oblong,

concave above with a slightly raised lip on the outer margin

and 2-4 entire or bifid short teeth or processes ; teeth

greenish-white, faintly spotted with red. Ovary sessile,

glabrous. Styles united into a column 2-2*5 mm. long, with

short radiating, emarginate, glandular stigmas. Capsule

obtusely 3-lobed, about 5 mm. in diameter; seed ovate-

oblong, 3*5 mm. long, smooth. (National Herbarium, Pre-

toria, No. 12,426.) — R. A. Dyer.

Plate 530. — Fig. 1, peduncle with bracts and cyathium ; Fig. 2, involucre

opened out ; Fig. 3, ciliate lobe of involucre ; Fig. 4, male flower represented

by single stamen and base with appendages; Fig. 5, female flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

S3 7

C.Letty del.

Plate 531.

HAEMANTHUS sacculus.

Transvaal.

Amaryllidaceae. Tribe Amarylleae.

Haemanthus, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 730.

Haemanthus sacculus, Phillips, sp. nov. ; affinis H. Lynesii Stapf sed

foliis undulatis differt.

Bulbus 4^5-5 cm. diam., subglobosus. Folia ad 30 cm. longa, 7 cm.

lata, lanceolata, basi maculosa amplexicauliaque, glabra. Pedunculus 17 cm.

longus, 1-5 cm. latus. Bracteae 2, 4 cm. longae, 11 cm. latae, oblongae, apice

obtusae. Umbella 13 cm. diam., subglobosa. Pedicellus 2-2 cm. longus.

Perianthii segmenta 2-7 cm. longa, linearia ; tubus 12 cm. longus. Filamenta

2-8 cm. longa. Ovarium subglobosum; stylus 3-8 cm. longus; stigma

minutum.

Transvaal : Louis Trichardt distr. ; Messina, Pole Evans in National

Herb. 15869.

The species of Haemanthus which we describe and figure

here is related to the same group of species as H. Katharinae,

which was shown on Plate 136. It differs, however, from that

species in several important details, as a comparison of the

plates will show. Our species appears to be more closely

related to H. Lynesii, described and figured by the late Dr. O.

Stapf in the Botanical Magazine (t. 8975).

The genus Haemanthus, with the exception of perhaps

two species, is confined to the continent of Africa. About

55 species are known, of which over half are found in the

Union, and nearly all these have leaves which he flat on the

ground.

Description : — Bulb 4-5-5 cm. in diam., subglobose,

with thin papery tunics. Roots long, fleshy, 1 cm. in diam.

Leaves up to 7, appearing after the flowers, up to 30 cm. long

when mature, 7 cm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse, narrowed and

clasping at the base and spotted with brown-purple spots,

with the midrib broad and prominent beneath, channelled

above, with the margins wavy, glabrous. Peduncle arising

within the basal sheathing leaves, 17 cm. long, 1-5 cm. broad

below, becoming narrower above, flat on one side, convex on

the other, green above, whitish and spotted with purple below.

Spathe-valves 2, 4 cm. long, 1-1 cm. broad, oblong, obtuse.

Inflorescence 13 cm. in diameter, subglobose. Flowers

numerous. Pedicels 2-2 cm. long, terete. Perianth-tube 1*2

cm. long, 2 mm. in diam., gradually narrowing below;

segments spreading reflexed, 2-7 cm. long, scarcely 1 mm.

broad, linear ; three segments with glandular hairs at the tips.

Filaments 2-8 cm. long, semiterete; anthers 2 mm. long.

Ovary subglobose ; style 3-8 cm. long ; stigma minute.

Plate 531. — Fig. 1, plant at flowering stage; Fig. 2, plant in leaf;

Fig. 3, part of stamen ; Fig. 4, part of style ; Fig. 5, spathe-valve.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

S3 2

Plate 532.

CRINUM crispum.

Transvaal.

Amaryllidaceae. Tribe Amarylleae.

Crinum, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 726.

Crinum crispum, Phillips, sp. nov. ; C. longifolio Thunb. affinis, sed foliis

angustioribus et valde undulatis, peduncubs valde compressis differt.

Bulbus 5-6 cm. diam., in collum 5-14 cm. longum productus. Folia c. 20,

9-22 cm. longa, -4-3 cm. lata, linearia, glabra, marginibus undulatis.

Pedunculus 5-5-9 cm. longus, -5-1-2 cm. latus, compressus. Flores in

umbella 5-6 ; tubus perianthii 8-9 cm. longus, cylindricus ; lobi 5-5 cm.

longi, sub-acuminati. Filamenta filiformia ; antherae curvatae. Stylus

exsertus ; stigma sub-trilobatum.

Transvaal: Waterberg distr.: farm “ Groot Vlei ” near Naboomspruit,

growing on low-lying brak ground, Galpin 11678. Pretoria distr. : Zee

Koegat, near Pienaar’s River, Vogts in Nat. Herb. 14509 ; farm “ Roodeplaat,”

near Pienaar’s River, Letty in Nat. Herb. 15877 {type).

This beautiful species of Crinum is extremely abundant in

the localities in which it grows. It was first brought to our

notice by Mr. E. E. Galpin, F.L.S., in 1931, and was collected

by Mr. L. R. Vogts near Pretoria the following year. Last

year Miss C. Letty collected specimens on the farm adjoining

that in which Mr. Vogts found his specimens. In November

1933 patches of the veld were covered by thousands of

plants in flower. In the same area from which specimens

were collected for illustrating, plants with peduncles up to

27 cm. long, flat on one side and slightly convex on the

other, green above and pale pink below, and with the

perianth up to 20 cm. long were occasionally met with.

Plants growing in the shade of acacia trees had leaves up to

50 cm. long and 3 cm. broad and the undulations on the

margins were either absent or slight. The colour of the

flowers ranges from an almost pure white to a distinct pink

on the back of the perianth-segments.

Feeding experiments carried out at D.V.S. with rabbits

gave negative results.

Description : — Bulb 5-6 cm. in diam., produced into a

neck 5-14 cm. long, with the base of the old leaves forming

long membranous scales. Leaves about 12, 9-22 cm. long,

•4-3 cm. broad, linear, with the margins crisped-membranous

and ciliate with short membranous processes, glabrous.

Peduncle 5-5-9 cm. long, -5-1 -2 cm. broad, compressed.

Umbel 5-6-flowered. Spathe-valves up to 6 cm. long, ovate,

acuminate. Perianth-tube up to 9 cm. long, narrowly cylindric ;

lobes 5-5 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, linear, tapering to the apex.

Filaments attached to the throat of the perianth-tube, 4-5 cm.

long, linear; anthers 1-5 cm. long, linear, curved. Ovary

ellipsoid, becoming more or less globose with age; style ex-

ceeding the perianth-segments ; stigma obscurely 3-lobed.

Plate 532. — Fig. 1, upper part of style showing stigma; Fig. 2, upper

part of filament with anther.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

533

C- Le tty del.

Plate 533.

APODOLIRION MacOwanii.

Cape Province.

Amaryllid aceae . Tribe Amarylleae.

Apodolirion, Baker ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 722.

Apodolirion MacOwanii, Baker, Handbook Amaryllid. 26 ; FI. Cap. vol. vi.

p. 198.

The genus Apodolirion contains about six species, all of

which are endemic to South Africa and are found in parts of

the Cape Province, Natal, and the Transvaal. It is closely

related to the genus Gethyllis, from which it may be distinguished

by having the stamens in a double row. Up to quite recently

the type of fruit produced by species of Apodolirion was un-

known, and so far as we know it is only in the species we figure

of which the mature fruit has been collected. A. MacOwanii

was first found by the late Prof. P. MacOwan near Port

Elizabeth in 1872 and described by Baker in 1888. Mr. Frank

Cruden of Port Elizabeth collected specimens about seven

years ago, which he sent to the late Dr. Marloth, who identified

them as Apodolirion MacOwanii Baker. Dr. Marloth sent

some of the bulbs to the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, in

1928 : these were planted and flowered for the first time in

December 1933. Last year Mr. Cruden forwarded us ripe

fruits, so that we were able to prepare a complete plate of this

interesting plant. The ripe fruits, which are buried in the

ground, have a pleasant aromatic odour similar to the fruits of

some species of Gethyllis which are locally known as “ Kukuma-

kranka.”

Description : — Bulb globose, 2-5 cm. in diam., with the

outer membranous tunics produced beyond the apex. Leaves

2-3, produced after the flowers, up to 9 cm. long, 4 mm. broad,

linear, spirally twisted in the upper hah, glabrous. Flowers

sweetly scented, pure white, stained with amber in the throat.

Perianth-tube 8*5 cm. long, 2 mm. diam., cylindric; lobes in

2 series, 4 cm. long; the larger 1-1 cm. broad; the smaller

8 mm. broad. Stamens in 2 series, inserted in the throat of

the perianth-tube; the longer filaments 1*4 cm. long and

opposite the narrow lobes; the shorter filaments 4 mm. long

and opposite the wider lobes; anthers 5 mm. long, linear.

Ovary hidden amongst the sheaths of the bulb-neck. Fruit

a berry, 5-5-6 cm. long, up to 1 cm. in diam., more or less

club-shaped, many-seeded. (National Herbarium, Pretoria,

No. 15,945.)

Plate 533. — Fig. 1, part of filament with anther; Fig. 2, part of style

showing stigma.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

534

C. Letty del.

Plate 534.

WURMBEA capensis.

Cape Province.

Liliaceak Tribe Anguillarieae.

Wurmbea Thunb. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 832.

Wurmbea capensis, Thunb. var. Purpurae, Baker in FI. Cap. vol. vi.

p. 521.

The genus Wurmbea is represented by about seven species

which are natives of Africa and Australia. Two species are

found in South Africa and extend from Natal through the coastal

districts to Clanwilliam. The species we figure has also been

recorded from the Somerset East and Aliwal North districts.

Wurmbea capensis is one of the earlier known Cape plants and

was first collected and described by Carl Thunberg. It was

figured in the Botanical Magazine (t. 694) over one hundred

years ago and was well known to European horticulturists.

The species is one of the common spring flowers in the south-

western districts of the Cape Province, where it is known as

“ Kaffertjie ” or “ Swartkoppie.”

We are indebted to Mrs. J. C. Letty for the specimens

which she collected in the veld near Hopefield in September

1931.

Description : — Corm globose, 1 cm. in diam. ; under-

ground neck 4 — 6 cm. long. Scape 16-24 cm. long. Produced

leaves 3-4, from 9 to 20 cm. long, linear, acuminate, channelled

down the face, stem-clasping at the base; the upper leaves

shorter and with a dilated base. Spike 14 cm. long, many-

flowered. Perianth 2-5 cm. in diam., tube 2 mm. long,

cylindric, with 5 upcurved spurs at the base and each spur

shortly 3-lobed ; segments 1 cm. long, linear-lanceolate, acute,

dark blackish-purple with distinct black glands on the face

a short distance above the base. Filaments 2 mm. long,

inserted at the base of the segments. Ovary with many ovules ;

styles 4 mm. long, free, subulate, slightly falcate. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 10,852.)

Plate 534. — Fig. 1, flower seen from above ; Fig.

flower showing ovary, styles, part of perianth and

Fig. 3, perianth removed, showing spurs and styles.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

2, longitudinal sect, of

insertion of stamens ;

535

C.Letty del.

Plate 535.

WURMBEA Kraussii.

Cape Province , Natal.

Ltliaceae. Tribe Anguillabieae.

Wurmbea, Thunb. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 823.

Wurmbea Kraussii, Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc. xvii. 437 ; FI. Cap. vol. vi.

p. 522.

The more common of the Cape species of Wurmbea is

W. capensis, which extends from the Cape Peninsula to East

Griqualand, and has been known for about 150 years in

European gardens. As far as our records go, W. Kraussii is

known only from East Griqualand and Natal. It is quite

probable that when all the available South African material of

Wurmbea is examined, the genus may prove to be monotypic

in the Union.

The specimens were collected by Miss C. Letty on the golf-

course, Uvongo, South Coast, Natal.

Description : — Corm about 1*2 cm. in diam., produced

into a neck up to 7 cm. long. Lowermost leaf in the form of a

long sheath without a blade ; normal leaf single, 6-9 cm. long,

linear, glabrous ; two upper leaves (rarely one) 1*5-4 cm. long,

linear from an ovate clasping base. Injlorescence a 3-6-

flowered spike up to 3 cm. long. Perianth-tube 1 mm. long,

campanulate; lobes 7 mm. long, 2*5 mm. broad, oblong-

lanceolate, slightly narrowed to the base, obtuse, with two

foveoles above the base ; foveoles 2 mm. long, 2 mm. broad,

bilobed at the apex, channelled down the face. Filaments

5 mm. long, terete, inserted at the base of the foveole ; anthers

dorsifixed. Ovary sessile, 3-lobed at the apex ; styles subulate ;

stigmas small, capitate. Fruit of three carpels which are

free above. Seeds many. (National Herbarium, Pretoria,

No. 15,874.)

Plate 535. — Fig. 1, a perianth segment showing foveole and attachment

of stamen ; Fig. 2, fruit ; Fig. 3, section though lower portion of fruit.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

536

C.Letty del.

Plate 536.

BRACHYSTELMA Galpinii.

Cape Province , Transvaal.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Ceropegieae.

Bbachystelma, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 781.

Brachystelma Galpinii ( Schltr .), N.E.Br. in FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1.

p. 860.

Brachystelma Galpinii and B. Barheriae (figured on Plate

354) fall into the same section of the genus which comprises

those species which have the corolla-lobes connate at their tips.

A comparison of the two plates will show many differences be-

tween the two species, but botanically they are separated on

characters of the corolla. In the first species a corolla-tube

is almost absent, while a well-developed saucer-shaped corolla

is found in B. Barberiae. Over 100 years ago Burchell collected

plants in Griqualand West and near Kuruman which Dr. N. E.

Brown described in the Flora Capensis as B. pallidum, though

he subsequently came to the conclusion that B. pallidum and

B. Galpinii were one and the same species. Dr. R. Schlechter

first described the species in 1894 as Dichaelia Galpinii and

based his description on specimens collected by Mr. E. E.

Galpin at Barberton in 1889.

Brachystelma Galpinii is found in the neighbourhood of

Pretoria but is not common. The specimen we figure was

collected by Mr. C. A. Smith, B.Sc., on the slopes of the

Magaliesberg bordering the old Rustenburg road.

Description : — Tuber 6-5 cm. in diam., forming a flattish

structure about 3*5 cm. thick from which the fleshy roots arise.

Plant 19 cm. high, branched from a short simple stem and

resembling a miniature tree. Branches densely pubescent,

with the hairs slightly reflexed. Leaves up to 1-9 cm. long,

4 mm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse, longitudinally folded,

glabrous above, densely pubescent beneath. Flowers usually

in pairs, more rarely solitary or one flower abortive. Pedicel

2 mm. long, pubescent. Calyx 3 mm. long; segments free

almost to the base, lanceolate, glandular-pilose ; short saucer-

shaped portion gibbous. Corolla 1-8 cm. long, divided almost

to the base into five linear segments -75 mm. broad which

broaden somewhat at the base ; segments connate at the tips,

shortly and sparsely pilose with glandular hairs. Corona

appearing as if a single basin-shaped structure ; outer corona

divided into two linear lobes 1*5 mm. long, sparsely pilose;

inner corona arising from the rim of the basin-shaped portion

of the outer corona, linear-oblong, indexed over the anthers,

bent at right angles at the apex. (National Herbarium,

Pretoria, No. 15,870.)

Plate 536. — Fig. 1, corona; Fig. 2, inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

53 7

C.Letty del

Plate 537.

BRACHYSTELMA oianthum.

Orange Free State, Transvaal.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Ceropegieae.

Brachystelma, R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 781.

Brachystelma oianthum, Schltr. in Engl. Jahrb. vol. xx. ; Beibl. 51, p. 53.

Dr. R. Schlechter described this remarkable plant in 1895

from specimens which he collected in the Transvaal. In 1916

it was figured in the Botanical Magazine (t. 8670) from a

specimen grown at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The

species exhibits the extreme form the corolla may assume

in the genus. In other species the corolla-tube may be

almost absent, as, for example, in B. Galpinii figured on

Plate 536. As will also be seen from our illustration, the

corolla-lobes are not connate at the tips as in the two species

previously figured (Plates 354 and 536). Brachystelma oian-

thum is an exceptionally charming little plant and should be

very suitable for cultivation as single plants in small pots.

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

C.M.G., in the northern Transvaal.

Description : — A dwarf plant about 6 cm. high. Stem

unbranched, densely pubescent. Leaves 2-3-5 cm. long,

1-1-4 cm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse, narrowed at the base

into a very short petiole, ciliate with short stiff hairs, shortly

hirsute above and beneath. Flowers solitary, pendulous.

Sepals lanceolate, acute. Corolla 2-5 cm. long, 2-2 cm. in

diam., almost globose; tube glabrous and rough without,

with large purple patches within and covered with long hairs

pointing to the centre of the tube and pubescent with short

papilla-like hairs ; lobes 2 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, triangular-

ovate, ciliate with a few fibratile hairs. Corona 4 mm. long,

6-5 mm. broad, appearing as a single series of five broad lobes

each with two shoulders and a longer lobe from them lying

over the staminal column; the outer series of ten lobes said

to represent the outer corona and the five lobes the inner

corona. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 15,878.)

Plate 537. — Fig. 1, calyx-lobe ; Fig. 2, section of corolla showing corona

and the long hairs on the inner surface ; Fig. 3, corona as seen from above ;

Fig. 4, pollinium.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

538

C.Letty del.

Plate 538.

LOBELIA coronopifolia var. macularis.

Natal.

Campajstulaceae. Tribe Lobelieae.

Lobelia, Linn.; Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 551.

Lobelia coronopifolia, Linn. var. macularis, Sond. in FI. Cap.

vol. iii. p. 543.

This is the first occasion on which we have been able to

figure a species of the genus Lobelia, or of the family Cam -

'panulaceae. In South Africa about 30 species of Lobelia are

recorded, although the genus contains over 200 species found

in the temperate and warm parts of the globe. The variety

macularis appears to be confined to Natal, but the species was

known quite early in European gardens. Nearly 200 years

ago it was figured in botanical literature, and in the year 1803 a

coloured illustration appeared in the Botanical Magazine

(t. 644). The genus is named after Mathias de l’Obel, who

was bom at Lille in France in 1538 and died in England in 1616.

He was the author of several botanical works. The specimens

figured were collected by Miss C. Letty near the Morningsun

Hotel, Shelly Beach, on the south coast of Natal. In that

locality the plants were very common, so that from a distance

the field in which they were growing had the appearance

of being covered with a blue mist. The species and the

variety we figure should be suitable in horticulture as a border

plant.

Description : — Stem decumbent at the base, leafy, pubes-

cent. Leaves 2-4-5 cm. long, 1-5-3 mm. broad, linear, coarsely

toothed in the upper portion, very rarely sub-entire, some-

times sparsely ciliate, glabrous. Peduncles terminal, up to

17 cm. long, terete, glabrous, each peduncle bearing 2-4

flowers. Bracts 3 mm. long, sublinear, ciliate. Pedicels

•8-1-2 cm. long, bearing 2 bracteoles on the upper half.

Calyx-tube less than 1 mm. long, sparsely strigose ; lobes 3 mm.

long, lanceolate-linear, ciliate. Corolla 2-2*5 cm. long, 2-

lipped; lips very unequal; lobes of lower lip 4 mm. long,

1*5 mm. broad, oblong-obovate, pubescent without; lobes of

upper lip 3-4 mm. long, 1-1*5 mm. broad, oblong, pubescent

without. Anthers all bearded. Ovary partly free; stigma

shortly bifid, surrounded by a ring of hairs. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 15,871.)

Plate 53S. — Fig. 1, calyx;

pistil.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

Fig. 2, corolla, showing stamens; Fig. 3,

S3 9

Plate 539.

ANOIGANTHUS luteus.

Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal.

Amahyllidaceae. Tribe Amabylleae.

Anoiganthus, Baker; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 722.

Anoiganthus luteus, Baker in Journ. Bot. 1878, p. 77; A. breviflorus

var. minor. Baker in FI. Cap. vol. vi. p. 193 ; Cyrtanthus luteus, Baker in

Journ. Bot. 1876, p. 66.

In the letter-press accompanying Plate 144, Mr. J.

Hutchinson suggests that the plant described by the late

J. G. Baker as Anoiganthus luteus should he upheld as a species

and not regarded as a variety of A. breviflorus, as was done

later by Baker. We have had an opportunity of examining

specimens from various localities and agree with Mr. Hutchin-

son’s views. Specimens we have seen from Johannesburg and

Barberton have leaves which are broader than the coastal

specimens and are also contemporary with the flowers, but

we do not think that this is sufficient to keep them separate

from A. luteus.

A comparison of the accompanying plate and Plate 144

will indicate the most striking differences between the two

species. A. luteus is a much more graceful plant, the leaves

very narrow and usually not contemporary with the flowers,

and the flowers solitary or 2-3-nate. Our specimens were

figured by Miss Cythna Letty and collected by her on the

hillside just beyond Umhlangeni Bridge, Natal. In this

locality the plants were growing in profusion in sandy soil.

Description : — Bulb ellipsoid, up to 1*5 cm. in diam., with

a short neck. Leaves not appearing with the flowers, 1 mm.

broad, linear. Flowers solitary or 2-3 in an umbel. Spathe-

valves 2 cm. long, 5 mm. broad, oblong-lanceolate. Corolla-

tube 1 cm. long, funnel-shaped ; lobes 2 cm. long, 5 mm. broad,

oblanceolate-oblong ; the 3 outer apiculate at the apex.

Stamens in 2 series ; the lower series at the mouth of the tube ;

the upper series on the base of the inner perianth-lobes;

filaments 2*5 mm. long ; anthers dorsifixed. Ovary 5 mm.

long ; style 2 cm. long, terete ; stigmas 3, unequal. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 15,873.)

Plate 539. — Fig. 1 , perianth laid open ; Fig. 2, spathe-valve ; Fig. 3,

pistil showing ovary in longitudinal section.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

MARY GUNN LIBRARY

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE

PRIVATE BAG X 101

•Tv'- PRETORIA- 0001

: ' REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

C. Le tty del.

Plate 540.

CHLOROPHYTUM rhodesianum.

Rhodesia.

Lieiaceae. Tribe Asphodeleae.

Chloeophytum Ker.; Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 788.

Chlorophytum rhodesianum, Phillips, sp. nov. ; affinis C. andongensi

Welw. sed foliis differt.

Rhizoma 7 mm. diam. Folia circiter 14, ad 40 cm. longa, ad 1-5 cm. lata,

supra angustata, profunde canaliculata, marginibus crenatis, minute glan-

dulosa. Scapus 1-4 m. altus. Bracteae 8 cm. longae, lineares, scariosae.

Flores 4-nati. Tubus perianthii 4 mm. longus ; segmenta 1-8 cm. longa, 2 mm.

lata, basi le viter crispa, glabra. Filamenta ad ovarium appressa. Ovarium

stipitatum, 5 mm. longum, 2 mm. diam. ; stylus 1-65 cm. longus.

Rhodesia : Bulawayo, Pole Evans in National Herbarium, No. 8821

(type) ; Matabeleland, banks of Inseze, Cheeseman, 104.

The plant we figure was collected near Bulawayo by

Dr. I. B. Pole Evans and flowered at the Division of Plant

Industry, Pretoria, in January 1931. When we first examined

the fresh specimen we were inclined to regard it as belonging to

an undescribed genus in the Liliaceae and submitted specimens

to the Director of Kew for confirmation. The Director stated

that while the stipitate ovary is uncommon in the family

Liliaceae, this alone is not sufficient to be of generic importance.

In the North American genus Brodiaea the ovary may be

either stipitate or sessile. Our plant is closely allied to

C. andongense Bak. from Angola but differs markedly in its

leaves.

Description : — Plant up to 1-5 m. high, with fleshy roots

up to 20 cm. long and 7 mm. diam. Leaves about 14, up to

40 cm. long and 1-5 cm. broad, narrowing above, deeply

channelled, with the margins crenate, minutely glandular,

glabrous. Scape 1-4 m. long. Flowers 4-nate, arranged in a

lax panicle. Bracts 8 cm. long, linear, scarious. Pedicels up

to 2 cm. long, articulated above the middle. Perianth-tube

4 mm. long, sub-campanulate, glabrous; segments 1-8 cm.

long, 2 mm. broad, linear, somewhat crisped at the base,

glabrous. Stamens shorter than the perianth-segments, with

the lower portion of the filaments closely appressed and sunk

in the sinus between the lobes of the ovary. Ovary stipitate,

5 mm. long, 2 mm. cliam., deeply 3-grooved; style 1*65 cm.

long ; stigma simple.

Plate 540. — Fig. 1, perianth tube opened to show the stipitate ovary;

Fig. 2, outer perianth-segment; Fig. 3, inner perianth-segment; Fig. 4,

stamens and pistil.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

J4/

G . J. Lewis del.

Plate 541.

DIERAMA LONGIFLORUM.

Eastern Province.

Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.

Dierama, K. Koche and Bouche, in Ind. Sera. Hort. Berol. App. (1854) 10,

et in Walp. Ann. vi, 42 (1861) ; Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 703.

Dierama longiflorum, Lewis, sp. nov.

Planta 1-34 m. alta. Cormus subrhizomorphus, 3 cm. diam., tunicis e

fibris parallelis superne in setas longas rumpentibus compositis. Caulis

spiraliter semel tortus, 1-5 mm. diam. Folia basalia 4-5, disticha, erecta,

circa 73 cm. longa, 8 mm. lata ; caulina 3, parte vaginante sat brevi, lamina

41-29 cm. longa. Spica 7-ramosa, parte terminali 8-flora, 14 cm. longa,

ramis decurvatis vel pendulis 4-7-fl., 8-5-14 cm. longis. Bracteae mem-

branaceae, integrae per anthesin et ultra, albidae, brunneo-notatae, 4-2-3

cm. longae, 1 cm. latae. Bracteolae 3-2-6 cm. longae, 1 cm. latae, parte

libera perbrevi. Perianthii tubus infundibuliformis, 1 -2-1-5 cm. longus;

segmenta per totam anthesin erecta vel suberecta, 3-3-3 cm. longa, 1-2-1-4

cm. lata. Stamina dimidium segmenti haud attingentia, ad apicem tubi

adnata, filamentis 1 cm., antheris 0-9 cm. longis. Gynoecium 3-5 cm. longum,

stylo antheras parum superante.

Stockenstrom Division; Katberg, R. A. Dyer (National Botanic Gardens,

No. Vo3-)-

The genus Dierama, native of South and Tropical Africa,

is one of the most graceful of the Iridaceae. The very beautiful

D. pendulum, Baker, popularly known as the Zuurberg Hare-

bell, dates back to 1781 and was the first species described.

It was more than 80 years before the second species, D.

pulcherrimum, Baker, from the Eastern Province, was pub-

lished. This was followed by D. cupuliflorum, Klatt, D.

igneum, Klatt, and D. argyreum, L. Bolus, and in 1929 Dr.

N. E. Brown, in monographing the genus in The Journal of the

Royal Horticultural Society (Vol. LIV, Part I), describes 20

additional new species. All but one of these are precisely

localised and include both old and recent collections that

have been awaiting attention in herbaria. We look forward

to adding still more information regarding these exceptionally

attractive Iridaceae when opportunities occur for preparing

plates from the living plants : all Dr. Brown’s species are

described from dried material. Up to the present no Dierama

has been figured in this work and only one species, D. pulcher-

rimum, appears in the Botanical Magazine.

The new species figured here is nearest to D. pulcherrimum,

Baker, but the flowers are not bell-shaped, and when fully

open the perianth-segments do not recurve as in D. pulcher-

rimnm. The deep claret-coloured flowers with velvety blue-

black markings on the segments make it one of the most

striking members of the genus.

Our plate was made from specimens collected by Mr.

R. A. Dyer on the Katberg in 1930, which flowered at Kirsten-

bosch during March and April 1932.

Description : — Plant 1-34 in. high. Corrn somewhat

rhizomorphic, 3 cm. diam., with coats of parallel fibres split-

ting into long bristles above. Leaves 4 or 5 basal, distichous,

erect, about 73 cm. long, 8 mm. broad; cauline 3, sheathing

portion fairly short, blade 41-29 cm. long. Spikes 8 to each

plant, 2-8-flowered, 8-14 cm. long, decurving or pendulous.

Bract membranous, white with brown streaks, entire and re-

maining entire until flowers fall off, 4-2-3 cm. long, 1 cm. broad ;

bracteoles 3-2-6 cm. long, 1 cm. broad. Flower 4-5 cm. long,

perianth-tube 1 -2—1 -5 cm. long, segments 3-3-3 cm. long,

1*2—1 -4 cm. broad. Stamens reaching less than half-way up

segments, joined at throat of funnel-shaped tube; filament

1 cm. long; anther 9 mm. long. Gynoecium 3 cm. long,

with style branches spreading above anthers. Bolus

Herbarium (National Botanic Gardens, No. Vr/)-

G. J. Lewis.

Plate 541. — Fig. 1, plant, reduced; Fig. 2. corm, X Fig. 3, spikes;

Fig. 4, portion of leaf; Fig. 5, flower; Fig. 6, flower laid open; Fig. 7,

longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 8, flower, front view; Fig. 9, bract;

Fig. 10, bracteoles; Fig. 11, stamen; Fig. 12, gynoecium.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

512

Plate 542.

DIERAMA GRANDIFLORUM.

Eastern Province.

Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.

Diebama, K. Koche and Bouche, in Ind. Sem. Hort. Berol. App. (1854) 10,

et in Walp. Ann. vi, 42 (1861) ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 703.

Dierama grandiflorum , Lewis, sp. nov. ; ad Dierama puleherrimum,

Baker, proxime affine, sed perianthio multo longiore, segmentis roseis,

tubo gracili violaceo longo, differt.

Planta 1-4 m. alta. Caulis gracillimus, spiraliter 1-tortus. Folia basalia

4-5, tenuiter crebreque nervata, erecta firma, spiraliter 1-torta, ad 74 cm.

longa, 7-9 mm. lata; caulina 3, pro parte majore vaginantia, laminis erectis

acuminatis apice brunneis. Spicae 5-9, sat laxe 3-6-fl., bracteis leviter

imbricatis, pedunculis decurvatis, spathis linearibus angustissimis brunneis

membranaceis 5-6 cm. longis. Bracteae acuminatae, albae, pallide brunneo-

lineatae, primum integrae, mox margine sublaceratae, 2 cm. longae, ad 7

mm. latae. Bracteolae apicem versus liberae, acutae, bracteis similes. Flores

in genere maximi visi. Perianthii tubus cylindricus, apicem versus leviter

ampliatus, violaceus, 2-5 cm. longus, ad 6 mm. diam. ; segmenta rosea,

exteriora apicem versus leviter patentia, subobtusa, 4-3 cm. longa, 1-7 cm.

lata, interiora supeme late patentia, subacuta, 4-5 cm. longa, ad 1-4 cm.

lata. Stamina ad tertiam partem segmenti attingentia, antheris 1 cm.

longis. Stigmata 3 mm. longa, ad dimidium segmenti attingentia.

Graaff Reinet Division; Oudeberg, Bolus 694. Near Somerset East,

Mrs. Harries (National Botanic Gardens, No. AffD-

Dierama grandiflorum, as its name implies, is the largest

of all the known species, exceeding D. longiflorum in the length

of the perianth by 2-5 cm. Its nearest ally is D. pulcher-

rimum, but it differs in having larger flowers with a long,

slender perianth-tube, and also in the colour of the flowers,

those of D. 'puleherrimum being a deep violet-purple. The

first collection of the species is that of H. Bolus from the

Oudeberg, near Graaff Reinet, in 1867, at an altitude of 4000-

4500 feet, flowering from December to February, and the

second that of Mrs. Harries from Somerset East. The latter

flowered freely at Kirstenbosch during October and the early

part of November 1933, and is the original of our plate. Both

D. grandiflorum and D. longiflorum, and also D. argyreum,

have done very well in cultivation at Kirstenbosch, and it is

surprising that these charming plants are not more often seen

in gardens. With their graceful, pendulous clusters of flowers,

ranging from pale pink and mauve to claret and violet-purple,

they should appeal to every gardener.

Description : — Plant 1*4 m. high. Stem very slender,

spirally twisted once. Basal leaves 4—5, finely and closely

veined, erect, firm, with 1 spiral twist, up to 74 cm. long,

7-9 mm. broad; 3 cauline, sheathing stem for two-thirds

their length, the blade erect, acuminate; the apex of all the

leaves brown. Spikes 5-9, fairly lax, 3-6-flowered, the bracts

slightly imbricate, peduncles decurved, spathes very narrow,

brown, membranous, 5-6 cm. long. Bracts acuminate, white

with pale brown streaks, entire at first but soon becoming

lacerated around the margin, 2 cm. long, up to 7 mm. broad.

Bracteoles free at apex, similar to bracts. Flowers the largest

seen in the genus ; perianth-tube cylindrical, widening slightly

towards the mouth, violet, 2-5 cm. long, up to 6 mm. diam. ;

segments pink, 3 exterior slightly spreading towards the apex,

subobtuse, 4-3 cm. long, 1-7 cm. broad, 3 interior widely

spreading towards the apex, subacute, 4-5 cm. long, up to

1-4 cm. broad. Stamens reaching one-third way up segments,

anthers 1 cm. long. Stigmas 3 mm. long, reaching half-way

up segments. Bolus Herbarium (National Botanic Gardens,

No. !$¥-).

G. J. Lewis.

Plate 542. — Fig. 1, plant, reduced; Fig. 2, portion of inflorescence;

Fig. 3, upper portion of leaf ; Fig. 4, flower, front view ; Fig. 5, flower, side

view; Fig. 6, flower, laid open; Fig. 7, bract; Fig. 8, bracteole.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

54>3

G.J.Lewis del.

Plate 543.

IXIA TRIFOLIA.

Cape Province.

Ibid ace ae. Tribe Ixieae.

Ixia, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 704.

Ixia trifolia, Lewis, sp. nov.

Planta 14-21-5 cm. alta, caule 1 mm. diam. Cormus ovoideus, 1-8 cm.

diam., tunicis e fibris inferne parallelis, supeme intertextis compositis.

Vaginae basales 6 mm. et 2 mm. longae. Folia basalia 2, basi amplectentia,

linearia acuminata, textura firma, nervo medio leviter prominente, ceteris

vix visis, inferius subarcuate adscendens, superius erectum, 5-17-5 cm. longa,

ad 1 cm. lata; caulinum 1, fere ominino vaginans. Spica aequilateralis,

sat laxe 5-9-fl., ramo laterali 1, e parum infra apicem folii caulini oriente.

Bractea basi herbacea, apice 3-dentata, 7 mm. longa lataque. Bracteolae

apicem versus liberae, 7 mm. longae, 6 mm. latae. Perianthii tubus 4 mm.

longus ; segmenta oblonga, ovalia, saturate rosea, basi nota purpurea incon-

spicua ornata, 1-5 cm. longa, 8 mm. lata. Filamenta purpurea, 4 mm.

longa; antherae luteae, per margines angustissime dehiscentes, 4 mn.

longae. Stylus tubum aequans, ramis demum ad dimidium antherar m

attingentibus patentibus purpureis, apice stigmatifero haud ampliato.

Laingsburg Division ; Tweedside. Miss G. J. Lewis (National Botanic

Gardens, No. ).

Three species of Ixia have already been figured in these

volumes, representing three of the four sections into which

the genus is divided. These are Ixia maculata (Plate 329),

belonging to the largest section, which is characterised by

having the upper part of the flower shaped like an open bowl,

and the perianth-tube slender and cylindrical under an inch

long; Ixia monadelpha (Plate 317), one of the two members

of the section which has the filaments united and forming a

tube round the style ; and Ixia odorata (Plate 349), one of the

section in which the perianth-tube widens gradually towards

the apex, giving it a funnel-shaped appearance. Our new

species belongs to the first section, Euixia or “ Ixia proper,”

and is nearest Ixia ovata, which seems to be merely a distinct

colour-form of Ixia maculata. It differs from this, however,

in having its flowers a paler shade without the very dark

spot in the centre, and in having only three leaves, two of

them basal, one of which is arcuate, the third one cauline.

The anther-cells in this plant dehisce tlirough narrow marginal

slits instead of down the front by wide-open slits, as is usual

in the genus. The corms which were collected at Tweedside

in the Laingsburg Division in September 1932 flowered at the

National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch, from July to August

1933, when the drawing was made.

Description : — Plant 14-21 -5 cm. high, sometimes un-

branched, usually with 1 lateral branch emerging just below

apex of the cauline leaf; stem 1 mm. diam. Corm ovoid,

1-8 cm. diam., with fibrous tunics parallel below, the fibres

matted in upper half. Basal sheaths 6 mm. and 2 cm. long.

Leaves 2 basal, one arcuate, other erect, firm, mid-rib slightly

raised, other veins not conspicuous, 5-17-5 cm. long, up to 1

cm. broad. 1 cauline leaf sheathing stem for almost its entire

length. Inflorescence a fairly lax, equilateral spike, 5-9-

flowered. Bract green and herbaceous at base, membranous

above, apex 3-toothed, 7 mm. long, 7 mm. broad. Bracteoles

membranous and transparent, free towards apex, 7 mm. long,

6 mm. broad. Perianth-tube shorter than bract, 4 mm. long ;

segments with a small, inconspicuous, deep purple mark at

base, 1-5 cm. long, 8 mm. broad. Filaments purple, 4 mm.

long, anthers yellow, dehiscing through the very narrow

marginal slits, 4 mm. long. Style as long as the tube, branches

finally reaching about half-way up the anthers, purple, the

stigmatic portion apical, hardly flattened. Bolus Herbarium

(National Botanic Gardens, No. 2i^).

G. J. Lewis.

Plate 543. — Fig. 1, section of flower, x 2; Fig. 2, bract, x 2; Fig. 3,

bracteole; Fig. 4, perianth-tube, androeeium and gynoecium, x 2; Fig. 5,

anther, x 3 ; Fig. 6, gynoecium, x 3.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

54 4

G.J. Lewis del.

Plate 544.

ROMULEA ATRANDRA.

Cape Province.

Iridaceae. Tribe Sisyrinchieae.

Romulea, Maratti ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 695.

Romulea atrandra, Lewis, sp. nov.

Cormus subglobosus, 2 cm. diam., tunicis rigidis brunneis. Vaginae

basales 1 cm. et 3 cm. longae. Folia 4, nervo medio conspicuo, marginibus

dilatatis, supeme teretia, 12-16 cm., vel ad 26-5 cm., longa. Planta 1-2-

flora, pedunculis 7-5 cm. longis, T5 mm. diam. Spathae acutae, exterior

berbacea, apice tantum membranacea, 2-5 cm. longa, ad 9 mm. lata, interior

late membranaceo marginata, 2-6 cm. longa, ad 8 mm. lata. Perianthii

tubus 4 mm. longus ; segmenta oblonga, obtusa, apiculata, interne roseo-

lilacina, infeme nota spathulata, atrate caerulea, 7 mm. longa, 4 mm. lata,

omata, exterior exteme lutea, pinnate nervata, nervis purpureis, primariis

saepius 5, 2-3 cm. longa, ad 1-2 cm. lata. Stamina basi perianthii adnata;

filamenta lutea, 7 mm. longa, dimidio inferiore pilifero ; antherae apice

incurvatae, atrate purpureae, 9 mm. longae, polline aurantiaco. Gynoecium

1-4 cm. longum, stylo fere ad dimidium antherarum attingente.

Laingsburg Division ; Tweedside, G. J. Lewis (National Botanic Gardens,

No.

Since the publication of Mr. Baker’s account of Romulea

in the Flora Capensis in 1896, when 20 species were enumer-

ated, the number has been more than doubled, and our

present new species brings the total up to nearly 50. Indeed,

the genus promises to rank among the large ones in the South

African Iridaceae ; for there are several more species awaiting

descriptions, apart from the unknown number still to be dis-

covered in unexplored areas.

The genus is widely distributed in South Africa, but is best

represented in the south-western districts. Romulea atrandra,

like the only other species hitherto figured in this work (R.

Austinii, Plate 90), is a native of the Karroo, the stations

recorded for the two species — Matjesfontein and Tweedside —

being only a few miles apart.

The specific name alludes to the very dark, almost black,

colour of the anthers before they dehisce. The attachment

of the stamens to the base of the perianth is remarkable : they

are usually “ inserted at the mouth of the perianth-tube.”

Description : — Corm subglobose, 2 cm. diam. ; tunics

rigid, brown. Basal sheaths 1 cm. and 3 cm. long. Leaves 4,

mid-rib prominent, the margins dilated, terete above, 12-16

cm., or up to 26-5 cm., long. Plant l-2-flowTered ; peduncle

7-5 cm. long, 1-5 mm. diam. Spathes acute, the exterior

herbaceous with a white, membranous tip, 2-5 cm. long, up

to 9 mm. broad, the interior with broad, membranous margins,

2-6 cm. long, up to 8 mm. broad. Perianth-tube 4 mm. long ;

segments oblong, obtuse, apiculate, pinkish-mauve on upper

surface writh a dark blue-black spathulate mark 7 mm. long,

4 mm. broad, outer segments yellow on lowrer surface, pinnately

veined with purple, primary veins usually 5, 2-3 cm. long, up

to 1-2 cm. broad. Stamens attached to base of perianth;

filaments yellow, piliferous in knver half, 7 mm. long ; anthers

incurved at the apex, dark purple, 9 mm. long ; pollen golden.

Gynoecium 1-4 cm. long, the style reaching to middle of anthers.

Bolus Herbarium (National Botanic Gardens, No.

G. J. Lewis.

Plate 544. — Fig. 1, Bower; Fig. 2, outer spathe valve; Fig. 3, inner

spathe valve; Fig. 4, outer segment (and part of perianth-tube), inner

surface ; Fig. 5, outer segment (and part of perianth-tube), outer surface ;

Fig. 6, inner segment (and part of perianth-tube), outer surface; Fig. 7,

perianth-tube, androecium and gynoecium, x 2 ; Fig. 8, gynoecium, x 2 ;

Fig. 9, section of leaf, X 6.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

545

G.J.Lew is del.

Plate 545.

BABIANA SUBGLABRA.

Cape Province.

Ibid ace ae. Tribe Ixieae.

Babiana, Ker ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 706.

Babiana subglabra, Lewis, sp. nov.

Planta 17 cm., parte supra terram 11 cm., alta. Cormus ovoideus, 1 cm.

diam., tunicis e fibris tenuibus, rubre brunneis, supeme per 6-5 cm. productis,

compositis, cormulos emittentibus, cormulis folia 2-5 linearia, apicem versus

spiraliter torta, glabra, petiolo sericeo pubescente, ferentibus. Vaginae

basales 6 cm. et 6-5 cm. longae. Folia producta 6, acuminata, ad 9 cm.

longa, glabra, vix plicata, textura molli, leviter glauca, nervis haud pro-

minentibus, apicem versus revoluta, exteriora 2 linearia, 3 mm. lata, interiora

2 ad 6 mm., intima ad IT cm., lata. Inflorescentia infra terram 2-furcata,

furca altera supra terram 1-ramosa, spicis dense 4-8-fl. ; rachis 6 cm. 1.

pubescens. Bracteae herbaceae obtusae, minute brunneo apiculatae, 3-2-

2-3 cm. longae, ad IT cm. latae. Bracteolae liberae acutae, marginibus albis

membranaceis, 2-2-2 cm. longae, 7 mm. latae, cum bracteis medio margini-

busque herbaceis tenuiter pubescentes. Perianthium 2-labiatum pallide

lilacinum, tubo 1-5 cm. longo; segmenta obtusa vel subacuta, exteriora

marginibus plana, interiora crispulata, supremum 3-3 cm. longum ad 8 mm.

latum, inferiora ad 2-6 cm. longa, ad 5 mm. lata, lateralibus pro parte majore

pallide luteis, inferne linea purpurea 3-flexa notatis. Stamina parum ultra

dimidium segmenti attingentia, antheris 9 mm. longis. Stylus antheras

leviter super ans.

Clanwilliam Div. ; Olipbant River Valley, near Clanwilliam, Miss

G. J. Lewis (National Botanic Gardens, No.

Only one species of Babiana has been previously figured

(Plate 357) in these volumes, namely, Babiana obliqua, Phillips,

from Lambert’s Bay. Our present species was found in the

Oliphant’s River Valley, near Clanwilliam, in August 1932,

and flowered very well in the National Botanic Gardens,

Kirstenbosch, during July 1933, when the drawing was made.

It is very nearly allied to Babiana obliqua, but differs in having

its leaves glabrous or sometimes minutely ciliate along the

ribs, scarcely plicate, and not obliquely widened at the base.

The bracts and bracteoles are also shorter, the bract sub-

obtuse, and the whole perianth smaller, while the stamens

and gynoecium are proportionately longer. Another species

to which it is also closely allied is Babiana stenomera,

Schlechter; but from this it differs in having less uniform

leaves, some being broader and some narrower than those of

B. stenomera, which are rather firm in texture, while in the

present species they are soft and curl at the apex very often.

The anthers and upper perianth-segments are also longer.

Description: — Plant 17 cm., part above ground 11 cm.

high. Corm ovoid, 1 cm. diam., with tunics of soft, reddish-

brown fibres, produced upwards in a neck 6-5 cm. long,

giving rise to cormlets which bear 2-5 linear, glabrous leaves,

spirally twisted towards the apex, the petiole having a few

silky hairs. Basal sheaths 6 cm. and 6-5 cm. long. Leaves 6

produced, acuminate, up to 9 cm. long, glabrous, scarcely

plicate, soft in texture, slightly glaucous, the veins scarcely

prominent, revolute towards the apex, 2 outer linear, 3 mm.

broad, 2 inner up to 6 mm. broad, the innermost pair up to

IT cm. broad. Inflorescence forked below ground, the one

fork branching once again above the ground; spikes dense,

4-8-flowered ; rhachis 6 cm. long, pubescent. Bracts herbace-

ous, obtuse, with a minute, brown apiculus, 3-2-2-3 long, up

to IT cm. broad. Bracteoles separate, acute, green with a

white membranous margin, 2-2-2 cm. long, 7 mm. broad,

simulating the bracts, the central vein and margins of herbace-

ous part minutely pubescent. Perianth bilabiate, pale lilac ;

tube 1-5 cm. long; segments obtuse or subacute, 3 outer with

flat margins, 3 inner crisped ; upper 3-3 cm. long, up to 8 mm.

broad, lower up to 2-6 cm. long, up to 5 mm. broad, the two

lower side segments yellow except for the apex, the lower

part with a W-shaped purple mark. Stamens reaching a little

over half-way up segments, anthers 9 mm. long. Style slightly

exceeding anthers. Bolus Herbarium (National Botanic

Gardens, No.

G. J. Lewt;s.

Plate 545. — Fig. 1, flower, front view; Fig. 2, flower, side view; Fig. 3,

flower, longitudinal section ; Fig. 4, bract ; Fig. 5, bracteoles ; Fig. 6, stamen ;

Fig. 7, gynoecium.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

G. J. Lewis del.

Plate 546.

BABIANA BRACHYSTACHYS.

Namaqualand and Clanwilliam.

Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.

Babiana, Ker. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 706.

Babiana brachystachys [Baker) Lewis, comb. nov. — Acidanthera brachy-

stachys Baker in Journ. Bot. 1876, 338. Clanwilliam Div., Mader in Herb.

MacOwan, 2183.

Planta 26 cm. alta, parte supra terram 13 cm. longa. Cormus sub-

globosus, 3-5 cm. diam., tunicis e fibris sat debilibus, interne complanatis,

superne tenuibus filiformibus compositis. Caulis infra terram reliquis

membranaceis rubre brunneis vaginatus. Folia difformia, ea in cormulis

ad morem generis plicata pilosaque, angustissima, apicem versus spiraliter

torta, ea plantae adultae teretia rigida acuminata, conspicue nervata, lamina

glaberrima, vagina plicata marginibus pilosa, basalia 9, disticha, ad 31 cm.

longa, ad 3 mm. diam. Inflorescentia congesta, pedunculo vix exserto,

lateraliter 2-ramosa ; rhacbis adscendens vel fere patens ; spica densa, floribus

erectis secundis. Bractea acuta, glabra, inconspicue nervata, berbacea, apice

brunnea, 2-2 cm. longa, ad 8 mm. lata. Bracteolae ad parum ultra dimidium

coalitae, acuminatae, bracteis aequilongae, ad 9 mm. latae. Perianthium

pallide salmoneum, tubo cylindrico apice vero tantum parum ampliato,

7-5 cm. longo ; segmenta plus minus vel patentia, leviter undulata, inter se

subsimilia sed inferiora infra medium, lateralibus conspicue, intermedio

obscure, saturate rubre obspathulate notatis, omnia basi 2-maculata, ad

2-4 cm. longa, ad 8 mm. lata. Stamina leviter arcuata, breviter exserta,

intermedia ceteris parum longiore, ad 5 mm. longa. Stylus antheras

aequans.

Little Namaqualand ; in arenosis submaritimis, inter Hondeklip Bay et

Walle Kraal, September 1932.

G. J. Lewis.

This remarkably striking Babiana presents a complete con-

trast to the two species previously figured here, Babiana obliqua

(Plate 357) and Babiana subglabra (Plate 545). It was placed

by Baker in the genus Acidanthera with a note to the effect that

it connects Acidanthera with Babiana through Babiana tubiflora ;

but on studying the whole plant in a living state, I consider

that it should be placed in the latter genus. The corm is

typical of the genus Babiana, being subglobose and covered

with numerous tunics of fairly soft fibres. Its nearest allies

are Babiana tubata and Babiana tubiflora from both of which

it is amply distinct ; for the perianth-tube in Babiana brachy -

stachys is cylindrical throughout its length, the segments are

proportionately shorter, and the mature leaves differ in being

rigid and terete, with a pointed, acuminate apex, and entirely

glabrous except for the basal part which clasps the stem.

It should, however, be noted that in the young plant the leaves

are plicate, hairy, very narrow and spirally twisted towards

the apex.

The specimen drawn flowered at the National Botanic

Gardens, Kirstenbosch, in October 1933, the conns having

been collected in September 1932 in Little Namaqualand,

between Hondeklip Bay and Wallekraal, growing in thick,

white sand.

Description : — Plant 26 cm. high, part above ground 13

cm. long. Corm subglobose, 3-5 cm. diam., covered with

membranous tunics of fairly soft fibres which are broad and

flattened in lower portion, fine and thread-like above. Stem

belovr ground surrounded by reddish-brown, membranous leaf

remains. Leaves changing as they mature, those produced

from cormlets similar to those usual in the genus, plicate and

hairy, very narrow, the apex spirally twisted ; those of mature

plant terete, rigid, acuminate, conspicuously veined, the blade

glabrous, the stem-clasping part having slightly pilose margins,

basal ones 9, distichous, up to 31 cm. long, up to 3 mm. diam.

Inflorescence congested, the peduncle scarcely exserted, wuth

2 lateral branches; rhacliis ascending or nearly horizontal;

spike dense, flowers secund, erect. Bract acute, glabrous,

inconspicuously veined, herbaceous, apex brown, 2-2 cm. long,

up to 8 mm. broad. Bracteoles fused for over half their length,

acuminate, as long as bract, up to 9 mm. broad. Perianth

pale salmon, the tube cylindrical, widening slightly towards

the apex, 7*5 cm. long; segments more or less spreading,

slightly undulate, almost similar but the 3 lower marked with

red, the 2 lower side segments with a large blotch, the lowest

with a smaller, V-shaped mark, all the segments with 2 red

spots at the base, up to 2-4 cm. long, up to 8 mm. broad.

Stamens slightly arcuate; anthers just exserted beyond

throat of tube, middle one slightly longer than others, up to

5 mm. long. Style as long as anthers. Bolus Herbarium

(National Botanic Gardens, No.

G. J. Lewis.

Plate 546. — Fig. 1, flower, front view; Fig. 2, flower, side view; Fig. 3,

longitudinal section of flower ; Fig. 4, bract; Fig. 5, bracteoles; Fig. 6,

transverse section of leaf, enlarged ; Fig. 7, portion of leaf, enlarged.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

54 7

G.J. Lewis del.

Plate 547.

SYRINGODEA filifolia.

Cape Province.

Ieidaceae. Tribe Sisyrinchieae.

Syringodea, Hook. f. in Bot. Mag. t. 6072 ; Benth. et Hook. f. vol. iii.

p. 693.

Syringodea filifolia, Baker in Journ. Bot. 1876, 67.

Only one species of this small genus has been figured

before, Syringodea pulchella {Bot. Mag. t. 6072). At present

ten species are described and there undoubtedly remain more

which require to be investigated. All the species are among the

more lowly and less conspicuous members of the family except

during the short flowering period when the clustered plants,

all in flower at the same time, give a beautiful display. The

genus, which is closely allied to Crocus of the northern hemi-

sphere and our own Galaxia, is endemic to South Africa where

it is very widespread. Collections of the various species have

been made in Namaqualand, Calvinia and Van Rhynsdorp;

from Malmesbury along the coastal belt to East London;

in the Karroo, from Matjesfontein, Graaff Reinet, and north-

wards to Kimberley, Orange Free State, Bechuanaland and

the Transvaal. Syringodea filifolia extends from the Rivers-

dale Division to Oudtshoorn, Matjesfontein and the Caledon

Division, the plant figured here having been collected by

Paymaster-Commander T. M. Salter 11 miles west of Caledon

in June 1932. Among the living plants examined, a flower

was found with the style much shorter than the perianth-

tube, the style in the other flowers equalling the tube. It

will be interesting to observe whether this heterostyly occurs

in other species of the genus.

Description : — Plant 8-5 cm. high. Corrn 7 mm. diam.,

with hard, dark-brown, scale-like tunics extending upwards

in a neck 3 cm. long. Leaves 8, erect, spirally twisted once,

glabrous with minutely ciliate margin, 2-3-5 cm. long, 1 mm.

broad. Two flowers arise in centre of leaves. Bract white

and membranous, with 1 longitudinal, green stripe, 1-6 cm.

long, 4 mm. broad. Bracteoles like bract, free towards the

apex, 1-6 cm. long, 3 mm. broad. Perianth-tube white, yellow

near the apex, white at the throat, very slender, 2-6 cm. long ;

segments violet-blue, obovate, the outer externally with a

central yellowish blotch, T2 cm. long, 8 mm. broad; inner

T3 cm. long, 7 mm. broad. Stamens slightly exserted;

anthers 3 mm. long, filaments 3 mm. long. Style as long as

the perianth-tube or much shorter, the branches in the long-

styled form reaching about half-way up anthers, 3*1 cm. long.

Fruit an oblong capsule, 1 cm. long. Bolus Herbarium (T. M.

Salter, No. 2400).

G. J. Lewis.

Plate 547. — Fig. 1, flower, front view; Fig. 2, flower, longitudinal sec-

tion, x § ; Fig. 3, flower with short style, nat. size ; Fig. 4, bract ; Fig. 5,

bracteoles; Fig. 6, outer segment, external view; Fig. 7, inner segment,

external view ; Fig. 8, stamen, x 2 ; Fig. 9, gynoecium ; Fig. 10, leaf, x 3 ;

Fig. 11, fruit, x 2.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

G. J. L ev.-is d * .

5b

Plate 548.

NIVENIA CONCINNA.

Cape Province.

Ibid ace ab. Tribe Abisteae.

Nivenia, Vent. Dec. Gen. Nov. 3 (1808) ; Salisb. in Trans. Hort. Soc. i, p.

311 ; Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc. xvi, p. 109 ; Klatt, Erganz. p. 48 ; Thonner,

Die Bliit. Afrika 152 ; Phillips, Gen. S. Afr. FI. PI. 172 ; N. E. Br. in Trans.

Roy. Soc. S. Afr. xxi, p. 264.

Nivenia concinna, N. E. Br. in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr. vol. xxi.

(1933), p. 267.

The genus Nivenia (called after James Niven who collected

at the Cape between 1798 and 1812), which by some authors

has been included for over 50 years in Aristea, was revived

by Thonner in 1908. Its distinguishing characters are the

shrubby growth, numerous imbricating leaves, and the long-

tubed perianth (as long as one and a half inches in N. Stokoei),

which falls from the plant as soon as it fades, whereas in

Aristea the leaves are all confined to the base of the plant,

and the perianth, with scarcely any tube, eventually becomes

spirally twisted and persists until the early fruiting-stage is

reached. Of the six species now comprising the genus, three,

Nivenia fruticosa, N. corymbosa, and N. binata, are among

those known prior to 1883, the remaining three, N. Stokoei,

N. dispar and N. concinna, being the recently described ones.

They are confined to a comparatively small area, extending

from the Tulbagh Division through the South-Western Region

eastwards as far as Seven Weeks Poort in the Zwartberg

Mountains, Prince Albert Division. They appear to grow

only on mountain-slopes.

All the species have branches densely clothed with ascend-

ing or nearly erect leaves. N. concinna, N. E. Br., was found

by Paymaster-Commander T. M. Salter in the Caledon Divi-

sion, at Viljoens Pass, growing on high ground, at the begin-

ning of March 1932, and the original of our plate was brought

by him in February 1933 from the same locality. It is one

of the most slender species of the genus, and, although each

inflorescence is composed of only 1-3 flowers, the individual

flowers are among the largest of the genus. It is interesting

to note that heterostyly, which was previously recorded by

Professor Adamson in N. corymbosa and N. binata, was also

observed in this species.

Description : — Plants in much-branched, compact tufts,

35-AO cm. high, 30 cm. or more in diam. Leaves ascending

or nearly erect, linear, acuminate, firm in texture, usually

4*5-8 cm. long, 1*5-2 mm. broad, or the mature leaf up to

10 cm. long, 3 mm. broad. Inflorescence composed of 1-3

cymes (?); peduncle 1*4 cm. long; cymes 1 -flowered, peduncle

about 5 mm. long; outer spathe-valve rigid, green below,

brown above, 9 mm. long, 4 mm. broad; inner spathe-valve

brown, membranous, 9 mm. long, 4 mm. broad ; flower sessile.

Bract brown, membranous, 3-lobed, lobes rounded, 1*2 cm.

long, 7 mm. broad. Periantli-tube up to 2 cm. long; segments

up to 2*3 cm. long, 9 mm. broad. Stamens reaching half-way

up segments; anthers dorsifixed, 3 mm. long. Style exceed-

ing, or in short-styled form equalling, the stamens, white,

2*5-3 cm. long. Bolus Herbarium (T. M. Salter, No. 2997).

G. J. Lewis.

Plate 548. — Fig. 1, inflorescence; Fig. 2, flower, front view; Fig. 3,

flower, longitudinal section ; Fig. 4, outer spathe-valve ; Fig. 5, inner spathe-

valve; Fig. 6, bract; Fig. 7, outer segment; Fig. 8, inner segment; Fig. 9,

mature stamen, x 2 ; Fig. 9a, young stamen, front view, x 2 ; Fig. 9 b,

young stamen, back view, x 2; Fig. 10, gynoecium, nat. size; Fig. 11,

fruit.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

54,9

G.J.Lewis del.

Plate 549.

HEBEA Dodii.

Cape Province.

Irid ace ae. Tribe Ixieae.

Hebea, Hedw. f. Gen. 24. (1806).

Hebea Dodii, Lewis, sp. nov.

Planta glabra, 50 cm. alta. Cormus 6-5 cm. diam., tunicis e fibris copiosis

firmis submbidis compositis, in collnm 25 cm. longum productis. Folium 1,

synanthum, e gemma distincta productum, supra terram per 25 cm. elonga-

tum, superne gradatim attenuatum, acuminatum, nervis 2 inconspicuis

tantum visis, ad 5-5 mm. latum; vaginae basales 18-5 cm. et 26 cm. longae.

Caulis 2 mm. diam., basi vaginatus, vagina 26 cm. longa, superne folia 5,

reducta minuta squamiformia ferens. Spica sat dense 17-flora. Bracteae

brunneae, rigidae, bracteolis breviores similesque, 1 cm. longae, 5 mm. latae.

Bracteolae omnino coalitae, 1-2 cm. longae, 4-5 mm. latae. Perianthii tubus

6 mm. longus, apice 4 mm. diam. ; segmenta obtusa vel subtruncata

supremum 2-3 cm. longum, 5 mm. latum, lateralia 1-9 cm. longa, 4 mm.

lata, inferiora 1-6 cm. longa, 4 mm. lata, infimum 1-4 cm. longum, 5 mm.

latum. Stamina primum arcuata, demum, stigmatibus bene evolutis, cum

segmentis perianthii recurvata ; antherae 6 mm. longae, apiculo minuto.

Cape Peninsula; Cirkels Vlei, T. M. Salter, No. 2986. Simonsberg.

Wolley Dod, No. 806.

The genus Hebea dates back to 1806, and in 1827 Ecklon

mentions two species. In 1929 and 1930 a few new species were

added, and the present one makes a total of nine species and one

variety in the genus. The specific name is in honour of Colonel

A. H. Wolley Dod who will ever be remembered in connection

with the Cape Peninsula by virtue of the extensive collections

he made in this area during the years 1895 to 1897. Its

nearest allies are Hebea lata, from which it differs in having a

smaller flower with much narrower perianth-segments, and

Hebea arenaria, one of the well-known Peninsula species, a

smaller plant than our new species, with small, cream-coloured

flowers.

For a long time the genus Hebea has been regarded as a

sub-genus of Gladiolus , but it is well distinguished by the rigid

bracts and bracteoles which are brown at the time of flowering,

and by the apiculate anthers. Their method of growth is also

characteristic : the corms, well protected by numerous coats

of tough, wiry fibres which extend upwards to form a long

neck, are wedged in among stones. Another characteristic is

the pronounced protandry of the flowers. In the first stage

the stamens are arched under the upper perianth-segment,

exceeding the undeveloped style-branches. As the flower

reaches the second stage of its development the filaments are

recurved, as well as the perianth-segments, and the style is

lengthened and decurved until the position formerly held by

the stamens is assumed. At this stage only are the stigmas

fully developed. In all these respects Hebea is closely allied

to the genus Anapalina, the chief difference being in the

shape of the perianth-tube, which in Anapalina is cylindrical

in the upper portion, whereas in Hebea it is more like that of

Gladiolus.

Most of the known species of Hebea are located on moun-

tains, the range of the genus being from Clanwilliam south-

wards to the Cape Peninsula, where our new species and two

others occur, then eastwards along the coastal belt as far as

the George Division.

Description : — Plant 50 cm. high. Corm 6*5 cm. diam.,

the tunics composed of numerous firm, wiry fibres, produced

upwards into a neck 25 cm. long. Leaf one at time of flower-

ing, produced from a separate bud, tapering gradually in

upper part, 2 veins seen rather inconspicuous, about 25 cm.

long above ground, lower portion enclosed in neck of fibres,

up to 5-5 mm. broad; basal sheaths 18-5 and 26 cm. long.

Stem 2 mm. diam., sheathed at the base, the sheath 26 cm.

long, bearing 5 minute, reduced, scale-like leaves above.

Spike fairly dense, 17-flowered. Bract brown, rigid, similar

to bracteoles but shorter, 1 cm. long, 5 mm. broad. Bracteoles

entirely united, 1-2 cm. long, 4-5 mm. broad. Perianth-tube

6 mm. long, 4 mm. diam. at the throat; segments obtuse or

sub-truncate, the uppermost 2-3 cm. long, 5 mm. broad;

upper side segments T9 cm. long, 4 mm. broad, the lower

T6 cm. long, 4 mm. broad, the lowest T4 cm. long, 5 mm.

broad. Stamens at first arcuate, finally, when stigmas are

well developed, recurved together with segments; anthers

6 mm. long, the apicnlns minute. Bolus Herbarium (Wolley

Dod, 896 ; T. M. Salter 2986).

G. J. Lewis.

Plate 549. — Fig. 1, corm and base of leaves, x J; Fig. 2, flower, front

view ; Fig. 3, flower, male stage ; Fig. 4, flower, second stage ; Fig. 5, flower,

longitudinal section; Fig. 6, bract; Fig. 7, bracteoles; Fig. 8, uppermost

segment; Fig. 9, upper side segment; Fig. 10, lower side segment; Fig. 11,

lowest segment ; Fig. 12, stamen, x 2 ; Fig. 13, gynoecium, x 2 ; Fig. 14,

stigmas, x 2.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

550

G J. Lewis del.

Plate 550.

GLADIOLUS TRIANGTTLTTS.

Eastern Province.

Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.

Gladiolus, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 709.

Gladiolus triangulus, Lewis in South African Gardening, vol. xxiii.

(1933) p. 140.

The genus Gladiolus, the largest in its family, may be

separated into many groups of closely allied species, and G.

triangulus would be grouped with G. Kirkii, G. Stanfordiae

and other affinities from the eastern districts. They form a

section which has not been illustrated before in these volumes.

Gladiolus triangulus was named on account of the triangular

shape of the flower, whether viewed from the front or the back

— this effect being due to the way in which the margins of the

segments recurve, even in a newly-opened flower.

The species was discovered by Mr. P. H. Holland at

Bushman’s River, in the Alexandria Division, flowering there

in November 1932. In the following April one of the plants

flowered again at Kirstenbosch, and is the original of our

plate. In cultivation at least it would appear to be among

the autumn-flowering species, as are most of its allies, and

this characteristic together with the large size and beautiful

colouring of the flower, and the numerous cormlets produced

at the base of the corm, should make it a very desirable species

for cultivation.

Description : — Plant 75 cm. high, sometimes branched ;

stem up to 5 mm. diam. Corm 4 cm. diam. ; tunics rather

soft and membranous. Basal sheaths 1-5 and 4 cm. long.

Leaves 6 basal, ensiform, rigid, slightly glaucous, central vein

prominent, having 2 or 3 less prominent veins on both sides,

the margin slightly thickened and minutely ciliate, 11-5-36

cm. long, up to 2-6 cm. broad, 6 cauline, 38-108 cm. long.

Spike secund, 9-flowered, 20 cm. long. Bract acuminate,

keeled, 5-3*5 cm. long, 1*2 cm. broad. Bracteoles distinctly

acuminate, usually 3 cm. long, up to 1*3 cm. broad. Perianth-

tube curved, 1*7 cm. long; segments obtuse, the margin

recurved, uppermost one erect at apex, 4*2 cm. long, up to

1*9 cm. broad; outer side segments 4*3 cm. long, 2*3 cm.

broad; inner side segments 3*7 cm. long, 1*8 cm. broad;

lowest segment 4 cm. long, 2*2 cm. broad. Stamens exserted

for 1*5 cm. from mouth of tube; anthers 1*1 cm. long. Ovary

1 cm. long. Bolus Herbarium (F. H. Holland, No. 4006).

G. J. Lewis.

Plate 550. — Fig. 1, plant, reduced; Fig. 2, inflorescence; Fig. 3, flower,

side view ; Fig. 4, flower, back view ; Fig. 5, flower, longitudinal section ;

Fig. 6, bract; Fig. 7, bracteoles; Fig. 8, section of leaf.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

55/

W.F. Barker del.

7 0

Plate 551.

ERICA CORALLIFLORA.

Cape Province.

Ericaceae. Tribe Ericoideae.

Erica, Linn. Gen. n. 484; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 590.

Erica coralliflora, R. H. Compton, sp. nov. (§ Evanthe).

Frutex 0-3-0-6 m., divaricate ramosus. Caules veteres angusti, fusci,

cicatricibus prominentibus parvis ; juvenes minute griseo-puberuli. Folia

4-nata; petiolus appressus, gilvus, 0-66 mm. longus; lamina patens vel

squarrosa, linearis, sulcata, obtusa vel subacuta, clare viridis, juventute

minutissime puberula, glabrescens, 4-6 mm. longa, 0-66 mm. lata. Flores

plerumque terminates, penduli, 4-nati vel pauciores, vel nonnulli subaxillares.

Pedicelli gilvi, deflexi, minute puberuli, 8 mm. longi. Bracteae remotae,

duae in medio positae, tertia basalis, appressae, lineari-ellipticae, sulcatae,

subvirides, 1-33 mm. longae. Sepala erecta, incurvata, ovata, sulcata,

viridia, 3 mm. longa, interne minute puberula, marginibus scariosis ciliatis.

Corolla 1-4 cm. longa, glabra, anguste obconica, recta vel parum curvata,

sub jugulo parum dilatata, deinde sub segmentis contracta, nitens, tubo

colore coralli rubri sensim in segmenta alba pallescente, segmentis 2 mm.

longis late orbiculatis. Filamenta alba, recta, glabra, long 1-2 cm. Antherae

castaneae, 1 mm. longae, poro 0-5 mm. longo, cristis parvis apiculatis minute

serratis. 0-4 mm. longis. Ovarium breviter stipitatum, glabrum, 1-5 mm.

longum, stipite 0-66 mm. longo. Stylus teres, coloratus, 1-2 cm. longus,

stigmate capitato incluso.

Ceres Division, in Mitchell’s Pass among boulders and in rock crevices at

the top of the Pass, about a mile from Ceres, at 1600 ft. altitude, 24th

February, 1932, R. H. Compton and J. Archer.

Type : Compton 3950, in Bolus Herbarium, Kirstenbosch, and duplicates

in Kew Herbarium and National Herbarium, Pretoria.

Erica coralliflora is an exceedingly attractive species on

account of its translucent corollas, which are of a distinctive

salmon or coral red shading to white at the tips, and which are

borne in a more or less hanging posture. It belongs to the

§ Evanthe of the genus, which includes many of the beautiful

long-tubed heaths, and its nearest relatives are probably

E. haematosiphon Guthrie and Bolus, from the mountains of

the Ceres and Clanwilliam Divisions, and E. macropus Guthrie

and Bolus, also from the Clanwilliam Division. E. coralliflora

is well characterised among its fellows by its long pedicels,

the minute pubescence of its stems, young leaves, bracts,

pedicels and calyx, the ciliate margins of its sepals, the slight

dilation and constriction of its corolla-throat, and by its

squarrose leaves.

The Ericas of the great western mountain ranges stretching

from the Worcester Valley through the Ceres and Clanwilliam

Divisions are decidedly less well known than those of the

southern coastal belt, and many novelties certainly awrait a

discoverer. The present species is an example of a conspicuous

and beautiful plant, growing close to a much-frequented road

within a mile of a town, which had nevertheless escaped the

notice of collectors : the explanation being, perhaps, that

February, its month of flowering, is in general an “ off-season ”

at the Cape, and little collecting is then done as compared

with the spring months. It may be taken as an indication

of the undiscovered floral wealth of this region which may be

revealed by collecting in the less visited areas or at the less

popular times of year.

Description : — Shrub divaricately branching 30-60 cm.

high. Old stems slender, dark brown, bearing small prominent

leaf-scars; young stems minutely grey-puberulous. Leaves

4-nate. Petiole appressed to stem, pale, 0-66 mm. long.

Lamina spreading or squarrose, linear, sulcate, obtuse or

subacute, bright green, very minutely puberulous in youth,

glabrescent, 4-6 mm. long, 0-66 mm. wide. Flowers mostly

terminal, pendulous, 4-nate or less, or some subaxillary.

Pedicels pale, bent downwards, minutely puberulous, about

8 mm. long. Bracts remote, two about the middle of the

pedicel, the third near its base, appressed, linear-elliptical,

sulcate, greenish, 1-33 mm. long. Sepals erect, incurved,

ovate, sulcate, green, 3 mm. long, minutely puberulous below,

their margins scarious and ciliate. Corolla 1*4 cm. long,

glabrous, narrowly obconical, straight or slightly curved, a

little dilated below the throat and then contracted below the

segments, shining, the colour of red coral gradually shading off

to white at the segments which are broadly rounded and 2 mm.

long. Filaments white, straight, glabrous, 1-2 cm. long.

Anthers chestnut-brown, 1 mm. long, with pores half as long

as the cells ; crests minute, finely serrate, apiculate, about 04

mm. long. Ovary shortly stipitate, glabrous, 1*5 mm. long, the

stipe 0-66 mm. long. Style terete, coloured, 1-2 cm. long;

stigma capitate, included. R. H. Compton.

Plate 551. — Fig. 1, complete flower viewed laterally, x 3; Fig. 2,

pedicel and bracts, x 12 ; Fig. 3, calyx, x 3 ; Fig. 4, a sepal viewed from

outside, x 6; Fig. 5, corolla, androecium and gynaecium as seen in a

flower cut lengthwise, X 3; Fig. 6, anther viewed from behind, x 18;

Fig. 7, anther viewed laterally, X 18 ; Fig. 8, stipe, ovary style and stigma,

X 3 ; Fig. 9, fragment of young stem and leaves, x 6 ; Fig. 10, a leaf viewed

from below, x 6.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

552

W. F. Barker del.

Plate 552.

Brunsvigia undulata.

Natal.

Amaryllidaceae. Tribe Amarylleae.

Brunsvigia, Heister Beschr. v. Brunsv. Braunschweig, 1755 cum tabb. 3 ;

Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 728.

Brunsvigia undulata, Leighton, sp. nov.

Folia 15, synantha, adscendentia, disticha, lorata, viridia, lucida, glauca,

marginibus conspicue undulatis, ad 50 cm. longa, 6-10 cm. lata. Pedunculus

leviter compressus, sat crassus, glaucus, 36 cm. altus ; spatheae folia oblonga

purpureo-suffusa, 9-5 cm. longa, 5 cm. lata. Pedicelli 43, adscendentes ad

32 cm. longi. Perianthium rubrum, 4-7 cm. longum, tubo 7 mm. longo,

segmentis recurvis linearibus acutis, exterioribus apice glanduliferis, 7 mm.,

interioribus 9 mm., latis. Filamenta rubra, periantbii tubo adnata,

perianthium aequantia; antherae 1 — 1-1 cm. longae. Ovarium viride,

inconspicue trigonum, 1-5 cm. longum; stylus ruber, staminibus brevior.

Pietermaritzburg Distr. : F. G. Carnegie, Esq., in National Botanic

Gardens, No. ; Miss K. M. Parkinson, in National Botanic Gardens, No.

6 7 9

2 8 '

It is highly gratifying that the first Brunsvigia to be

figured in this work should be a very distinct new species.

This plant exhibits several remarkable characters which

distinguish it from most other Brunsvigiae. Unlike other

members of the genus, B. undulata, Leighton, together with

its ally, another Natal species, B. sphaerocarpa, Bak., has

fully developed, slightly undulate leaves at the time of flowering

and the number of leaves in both is larger than is usually the

case. Our species differs from B. sphaerocarpa, Bak. in the

size and set of the flower, the segments of the latter being

longer and narrower and considerably recurved. The umbel

in B. undulata, Leighton, is somewhat semi-globose, instead of

the more usual globose form, and the ascending pedicels are

reminiscent of Nerine rather than Brunsvigia. The deep

ruby colour of the flower, too, is unusual in the genus.

The two other Natal species are B. Josephinae, Gawl. and

B. natalensis, Bak.

Description : — Leaves distichous, arranged in a semi-

circle, glaucous, margin undulate, up to 40 cm. long, 6-10 cm.

broad. Peduncle fairly stout, slightly compressed, glaucous,

up to 36 cm. long; bracts 2, leathery, 9-5 cm. long, 5 cm.

broad. Pedicels approximately 43, ascending, 30-32 cm. long.

Perianth 4-7 cm., tube 7 mm. long, slightly reflexing, inner

9 mm. broad, outer 7 mm. broad and furnished at the apex

with a tuft of glands. Stamens as long as the perianth;

anthers 1-1*1 cm. long. Ovary obscurely trigonous, 1*5 cm.

long ; style shorter than the stamens. F. M. Leighton.

Plate 552. — Fig. 1, portion of plant above the ground, x *; Fig. 2,

front view; Fig. 3, section of young flower; Fig. 4, do., older flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

55 3

C. Letty del.

Plate 553.

ALOE Boastii.

Swaziland.

Liliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.

Aloe, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.

Aloe Boastii, Letty, sp. nov., A. chortolirioidei, Berger, simillima sed foliis

et bracteis minoribus, racemis capitatis, perigonio breviore et laete

rubro-luteo, differt.

Caulis brevis, lignosus, vix 2-5 cm. longus et 1-5 cm. diam., foliorum

basibus exsiccatis imbricatim tectus. Folia circiter 16, multifaria, rosulata,

erecta, anguste linearia, e basi 8 mm. lata, in laminam anguste linearem

4 mm. latam abrupte constricta, ad margines albis denticulis acutis ciliata.

Pedunculus 22 cm. longus, bracteis vacuis paucis ovatis chartaceis cuspidatis

munitus. Racemus brevis, 2-3 cm. longus, sub-dense capitatus. Pedicelli

2 cm. longi. Perigonium 2 cm. longum, cylindraceum, rectum, laete rubro-

luteum; segmenta fere usque basin libera apice viridia. Genitalia 3 mm.

exserta.

This plant is named after Mr. H. W. Boast, Deputy

Assistant Commissioner, Pigg’s Peak, Swaziland, who collected

it about four miles north-east of Forbes Reef Mine, at an

altitude of 4000 feet. According to Mr. B. Nicholson the

species is invariably found growing in tufts on flat rocks. It

was also observed that flowering took place readily after the

leaves had been burnt off. As veld-burning apparently

stimulated the flowering of the plants in their native habitats,

Mr. Boast tried it on his garden specimens. He covered the

plant with straw and set it alight burning off the leaves in the

process. Soon after, the plant came into flower.

It is characterised by small tufts of flaccid leaves, a long

slender peduncle, short, red-veined bracts and a semi-dense

capitate brilliant orange raceme.

This Aloe appears to be closely related to A. chortolirioides

Berger (figured in Flowering Plants of South Africa, Vol. IV,

Plate 160), which occurs in the same locality but has a few

distinct differences. Our plant is smaller, the peduncle

longer, the leaves are not articulated above the broadened

base, the bracts are awned and brightly red-veined, the

perianth is shorter, more deeply segmented, bright orange

and not stipitate-attenuate.

Description : — A caulescent herb, stems tufted covered

by the remains of the dry leaf -bases : Leaves 10-20 cm. long,

linear, narrowing suddenly from an 8 mm. broad base to

4 mm. broad, channelled, with small white cartilaginous spines

on the margins. Peduncle 22 cm. long, bearing, almost to the

base, whitish membranous ovate awned bracts with 3-5

bright-red nerves; floral bracts 1 cm. long, membranous,

ovate, long-acuminate, distinctly veined with red. Racemes

capitate, 2-3 cm. long ; pedicels up to 2 cm. long. Perianth

2 cm. long, cylindric, bright orange with green tipped lobes.

Tube short, segments free almost to the base ; genitals

exserted, in mature flowers, about 3 mm. (In National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 16,563.) Cythna Letty.

Plate 553. — Fig. 1, whole plant much reduced; Fig. 2, enlarged longt

tudinal section of flower ; Fig. 3, bract.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

.7 St

C.Letty del.

Plate 554.

ALOE Angelica.

Transvaal.

Lillaceae. Tribe Aloineae.

Aloe, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.

Aloe Angelica, Pole Evans, sp. nov.

Arborescens, 3-4 m. altus. Truncus validus, simplex vel interdum

dichotome ramosus. Folia dense rosulata, anguste ensiformia, longe

acuminata, pendentia, camosa et coriacea, supra profunde canaliculata,

subtus convexa. Pedunculus validissimus, atrobrunneus, ramis 6-9 lateral-

ibus, inferioribus dichotome biramosis arcuato-erectis sulcatis, bracteis

vacuis brevissimis squamiformibus semi-amplexicaulibus instructi; racemi

densissimi, 7-9 cm. longi et 6-8 cm. diam., floribus luteis dense congestis

patulis et pendulis; bracteae florigerae scariosae, ovatae, acutae, 8-9 mm.

longae, 7-8 mm. latae; pedicelli 25-27 mm. longi; perigonium 30-32 mm.

longum, naviculato-cylindraceum, leviter curvatum, e basi sensim attenu-

atum, segmentis superioribus apice recurvulis, inferioribus rectis ; filamenta

inaequaha, rubrobrunnea, exserta, arcuato-curvata ; stylus demum magis

exsertus.

This very unusual Aloe was first brought to my notice by

Col. R. C. Wallace, formerly Chief Engineer, South African

Railways, when travelling with him through Sand River

Poort in the Zoutpansberg, Northern Transvaal.

The description was made from plants collected by myself

in Wylies Poort, Zoutpansberg Range in June 1932. The

plant falls in Berger’s section Principales, but it has no close

affinity with any South African species.

The plant is named in honour of Angelique, wife of Col.

R. C. Wallace.

Description : — Arborescent, 3-4 m. high, the trunk stout,

simple or sometimes dichotomously branched. Leaves densely

rosulate, narrowly ensiform, long acuminate, pendent, fleshy

and coriaceous, deeply caniculate above and convex beneath.

Peduncle stout, purplish-brown with 6-9 lateral branches,

the lower again dichotomously branched, arcuate erect, sulcate,

furnished with very short, squamiform and semi-amplexicaul

empty bracts. Racemes dense, 7-9 cm. long, 6-11 cm. in

diam. ; flowers orange-red when in bud, yellow when open,

somewhat densely congested and pendulous ; bracts scarious,

ovate, acute, 8-9 mm. long, 7-8 mm. wide. Pedicels 2*5-2-7

cm. long ; perigonium boat-shaped, cylindric, somewhat

curved, much attenuated at the base, the upper segments

recurved at the apex, the lower straight. Tube -8 cm. long;

filaments unequal, reddish-brown, exserted 1*5 cm. from mouth

of flower, arcuate ; style becoming much exserted. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 13,040.) I. B. Pole Evans.

Plate 554. — Fig. 1, whole plant greatly reduced; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3,

longitudinal section of flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

\

sss

C.Letty del.

Plate 555.

ALOE PETROPHILA.

Transvaal.

Liliaceae. Tribe Aloesteae.

Aloe Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.

Aloe petrophila, Pillans in South Afr. Gardening and Country Life, vol.

xxiii. p. 213 (1933).

This graceful Aloe, with its corymbose-paniculate branching

and capitate racemes, was first collected by Mr. P. Ross-

Frames on rock-faces in Wylie’s Poort, N. Transvaal, in 1924,

and was described by Mr. Pillans from a plant which flowered

in his garden in May 1933. It was also gathered by Dr. I. B.

Pole Evans in the same locality in May 1932, and was found

growing in abundance on the perpendicular rock-face, flowering

during May and June.

According to Engler, Das Pflanzenreich, it falls into the

group Saponariae and in the section Gapitatae, and seems to

be allied to the Tropical African species A. lateritia ; but by

comparison with the measurements of the latter our specimen

is smaller, its leaves shorter, more convex and not densely

rosulate, the flowers are smaller, coral-pink with green tips,

the tube longer and the segments shorter, white with a greenish-

red keel. Mr. Pillans compares the species with A. Great-

headii Schoenl., the tips of the perianth segments of which are

recurved as figured and described in Bot. Mag. sub t. 8122 as

A. pallidiflora Berg.

Description : — An acaulescent plant 50 cm. high including

the inflorescence. Leaves about 9 in number forming a rosette,

lanceolate, acuminate into a slightly upcurved pungent tip,

10-19 cm. long, 5 cm. broad including teeth, 1*3 cm. thick at

its thickest, upper surface slightly convex with whitish veins

and spots, lower surface more convex, cloudy, with dark grfeen

stripes ; teeth deltoid to claw-shaped *5 cm. long, *5 cm. broad

at the bases, *5 to *8 cm. apart. Peduncle reddish-green

covered with a waxy bloom, branched in the upper third,

branches spreading arcuate, subtended by large papery bracts

and forming a corymbose panicle. Racemes capitate laxly

25-flowered ; bracts 1 cm. long, 3 mm. wide, papery, lanceolate-

cuspidate, 3-nerved. Pedicels 1-5 cm. long. Perianth coral-

pink, 2-3 cm. long, erect when in bud, pendulous when open,

becoming erect again when faded. Tube 1-8 cm. long, globosely

inflated at the base and constricted above the ovary, then

widening towards the apex ; segments -5 cm. long, white keeled

with greenish red ; stamens and style slightly exserted.

(National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 13,043.)

Cythna Letty.

Plate 555. — Fig. 1, the whole plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, longitudinal

section of flower ; Fig. 3, lower bract ; Fig. 4, floral bract.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

SS6

Plate 556.

STAPELIA hirsuta.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

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

Stapelia hirsuta, Linn. Sp. PI. ed. 1, p. 217 ; FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 936.

The late Dr. N. E. Brown in the Flora Capensis states that

this species of Stapelia is the second of the tribe Stapelieae

found in South Africa apparently towards the end of the 17th

century. The first species to be collected was S. variegata

which we figured on Plate 245. Stapelia hirsuta is divided

into eight more or less well-recognised varieties which differ

from each other in the shape of the corona-lobes. The species

and its varieties are common in the south-western districts of

the Cape Province, but the species itself has also been recorded

from Namaqualand. There are a few other species of Stapelia

which resemble S. hirsuta in general appearance, i.e. by the

corolla being silky hairy, but the markings of the corolla serve

to distinguish them.

The accompanying illustration was prepared from a speci-

men growing at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria.

Information as to collector and locality is not available.

Description : — Stem 10 cm. high, shallowly 4-angled,

velvety ; teeth whitish, small. Flowers solitary, arising at the

base of the young stems. Pedicel 4*5 cm. long, 4 mm. in

diam., velvety. Calyx-lobes 9 mm. long, 3 mm. broad at the

base, oblong-linear, ciliate, velvety. Corolla pale green

beneath with distinct veins, parchment-yellow to green above

except on apical third of lobes which is deep brownish-red;

disc entirely covered with long dense woolly red-brown hairs ;

lobes 4 cm. long, 1-5 cm. broad at the base, ovate-elliptic,

transversely marked with bands of dark red-brown, with a

marginal band of long white hairs. Outer corona-lobes oblong-

linear, tapering at the apex into a blunt point, sometimes

toothed, channelled down the face ; inner corona-lobes

ascending, with the dorsal wing adnate for the whole of its

length to the inner horn and truncate and obscurely toothed,

with the inner horn subulate, slightly curved, not hooked at the

apex. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 12,423.)

Plate 556. — Fig. 1, a calyx-lobe; Fig. 2, corona; Fig. 3, outer corona-

lobe ; Fig. 4, inner corona-lobe.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

X

C. Letty del-

Plate 557.

ALOE Woolliana.

Transvaal .

Liliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.

Aloe, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.

Aloe Woolliana, Pole Evans, sp. nov. A. chortolirioidei affinis, habitu

differt.

Rami caespitosi. Folia linearia, marginibus dentatis. Scapus ad 30 cm.

longus. Racemus 8-13 cm. longus.

Barberton Distr. : Kaapsche Hoop 5500 ft., I. B. Pole Evans in National

Herb. Pretoria, No. 8320.

This remarkable little Aloe, which is described here for the

first time, is a very near relative of A. chortolirioides figured on

PI. 160. It differs from the latter species, however, in being

less tufted in habit, the leaves are broader, and the flowers

differently coloured. Aloe Woolliana is one of the high-

mountain species found on the Transvaal Drakensbergen

between an altitude of 5-6000 ft. Material of this plant was

first collected by Mr. Woolley of Barberton and subsequently

brought to our notice by the late Mr. Geo. Thomcroft. The

plant was also collected on the Steenkampsberg by Dr.

I. B. Pole Evans in Sept. 1928.

Description : — Stems growing in tufts, dark with the

remains of the old leaf bases. Leaves 6-10 cm. long, 4-5 mm.

broad, linear, with small teeth on the margins, glabrous.

Scape 18-30 cm. long. Peduncle bearing a few ovate acu-

minate veined membranous bracts, terete, glabrous. Racemes

8-13 cm. long. Bracts membranous, 1*5 cm. long, ovate,

long-acuminate, veined, glabrous. Pedicels 1-2 cm. long,

articulated at the apex, persistent. Perianth 3-2 cm. long,

with the outer segments slightly shorter than the inner;

segments obtuse, with three distinct veins. Stamens included ;

filaments terete; anthers 3 mm. long, oblong in outline.

Ovary 7 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, oblong in outline; style

exserted, minutely 3-lobed at the apex. (In National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 8320.)

Plate 557. — Fig. 1, longitudinal section of flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

C . L e tty del

Plate 558.

ALOE Reynoldsii.

Transkei.

Liliaoeae. Tribe Aloineae.

Aloe, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.

Aloe Reynoldsii, Letty, sp. nov. ; affinis A. striatae Haw., marginibus

foliorum cartilaginis et sinuatis dentibusque munitis, floribus luteis

differt.

Succulenta breviter caulescens, 15-20 cm. alta, sobolifera. Folia

rosulata, 25 cm. longa, 8-10 cm. lata, oblongo-ovata, juniora ovata, acu-

minata, carnosa, subglauca, leviter rubra, supeme striata et maculata, dorso

valde striata, convexa, ad margines linea cartilaginea sinuata distincta,

dilute rubra, marginibus dentibus deltoideis parvis munitis. Inflorescentia

circiter 30 cm. alta, corymboso-paniculata ; rami graciles, erecto-patentes ;

flores in racemis plus minusve densis 5-6 cm. longis dispositi; pedicelli

1-5-1 -7 cm. longi, erecto-patentes; bracteae 0-5-1 cm. longae, deltoideo-

lanceolatae, acuminatae. Perigonium circiter 2-5 cm. longum, iuteum,

aurantiaco-tinctum ; tubus 2 cm. longus, circa ovarium globoso-inflatus et

hinc constrictus et decurvatus ; segmenta 0-5 cm. longa, obovata ; filamenta

paullum exserta.

Transkei, Cape, 18 miles due east of Idutywa, on steep rocky slopes and

under trees, H. W. Reynolds in Nat. Herb., Pretoria 16,645 (specimen grown

in Pretoria and flowered Sept. 1934, type).

The type specimens of this Aloe were collected by Mr.

G. W. Reynolds of Johannesburg in March 1934, above a

waterfall of the Xobo River about three miles from its con-

fluence with the Bashee River. This spot is 18 miles due east

of Idutywa, Transkei, and at an altitude of 2500 ft. The

plants favour a well-protected western aspect where they grow

on ledges of steep rocky slopes or under bushes on grassy

hillsides.

This species is closely allied to A. striata Haw., which is

illustrated on Plate 55 of this work, resembling it in general

appearance but differing from it in having dentate sinuously

margined leaves and yellow flowers.

The Aloe has been named after the collector who sent speci-

mens to the National Herbarium, Pretoria, where they flowered

in September 1934. According to him “this plant suckers,

groups of three to eight plants all joined to a common root can

be seen where this species is growing. At this particular spot

this Aloe and this species only is growing; while I took

particular notice that all seedlings exactly resembled the

parent. Thinking that this species might be a hybrid of

A. striata x A. saponaria, I searched the neighbouring

locality, but could find no trace of any other Aloe species

apart from A. pluridens, A. ferox, and the giant A. Bainesii .”

Description : — Plants sub-caulescent growing in clumps

with stems underground. Leaves rosulate up to 25 cm. long,

8-10 cm. wide, oblong-ovate — the young leaves ovate-acu-

minate, flat above, convex below, sub-glaucous, striate and

obscurely many-spotted, margins pink eartilaginously

minutely denticulate sinuate. Peduncles up to 30 cm. high

(including inflorescence), branched above, at the base flat on

one side, convex on the other, in the upper portion semi-

terete. Inflorescence a corymbose panicle of lax racemes, the

ultimate racemes 5-6 cm. long. Bracts subtending the racemes

about 1 cm. long, papery, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate.

Pedicels 1*5 to T7 cm. long, spreading; floral bracts deltoid to

long-lanceolate, acuminate. Flowers spreading, more or less

pendulous when mature, 2-5 cm. long, light yellow tinged with

orange. Tube 2 cm. long, globose at the base, constricted

above the ovary then gradually widening into a slightly oblique

tube 7 mm. in diam. ; lobes 0-5 cm. long, ovate, blunt at the

apices ; style and stamens slightly exserted. (National

Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 16,645.) Cythna Letty.

Plate 558. — Fig. 1, plant much reduced : Fig. 2, flower enlarged ; Fig. 3,

longitudinal section of flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

S5 &

C. Let/ty del.

Plate 559.

CYRTANTHUS flavus.

Eastern Cape Province.

Amaryllidaceae. Tribe Amarylleae.

Cyrtajstthus, Ait. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 729.

Cyrtanthus flavus, Barnes in South Afr. Gardening and Country Life, vol.

xxi. p. 77 (1934).

The genus Cyrtanthus contains a number of beautiful

species, some of which are admirably suited to cultivation. A

good example is C. Huttoni Baker, which occurs naturally on

moist ledges overhanging the road up the Katberg Pass;

others such as C. helictus Lehm., which is found amongst

karroid scrub-bush in the Fish River valley, are more sensitive

to changes of environment, and do not flower so readily in

cultivation. Nine other species of this typically South African

genus have been figured in this work, and may be found on

Plates 4, 25, 33, 35, 37, 99, 159, 211 and 343.

Our knowledge of Cyrtanthus flavus Barnes is limited to

material collected by Mrs. D. Hoole of Trappes Valley,

Bathurst Division, who forwarded plants in September 1930

to the Albany Museum, Grahamstown, where it was found to

be an undescribed species, and remarkable for its small,

suberect, bright yellow flowers. Mrs. Hoole discovered it in

moderate abundance over a small area “ growing in sandy soil

in a marshy situation.” It was first described and figured by

Miss Barnes in South African Gardeninq and Country Life,

vol. xxi. p. 77 (1934).

Description: — Bulb subglobose, 0*5-1 -3 cm. in diameter,

tunics light brown, membranous, produced into a neck about

1 cm. long. Leaves 1-2, contemporaneous with the flowers,

linear, about 7-15 cm. long, 1-1*5 mm. broad. Peduncles

1-2 from each bulb, slender, 20-25 cm. high, 2-3 mm. in

diameter ; the spathe-valves linear-lanceolate or linear,

acuminate, about 2 cm. long. Flowers usually 2-3, rarely

up to 5 in an umbel, suberect, canary-yellow (between mustard

and primuline R.C.S.). Peduncles 1-2*5 cm. long; perianth

2 cm. long, the tube twice the length of the segments, broadest

at the middle, the segments slightly converging, the outer

ones at the apex minutely cuspidate, and with a small tuft

of hairs on the inner side. Stamens biseriate, filaments very

short. Ovary 2-3 mm. in diameter, green. Style nearly as long

as the perianth, trifid at the apex. Capsule globose or oval,

1-1*5 cm. long, seeds numerous, flattened and winged, black.

(National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 10,856.) R. A. Dyer.

Plate 559. — Fig. 1, longitudinal section of flower.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

..

%

C. Letty del.

Plate 560.

PYCNOSTACHYS urticifolia.

Transvaal, Rhodesia, Nyasaland.

Labiatae. Tribe Ocemoideae.

Pycnostachys Hook. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 1177.

Pycnostachys urticifolia, Hook. Bot. Mag. PI. 5365.

This attractive plant was originally described in Curtis’s

Botanical Magazine, vol. 19 (1863), plate 5365, from a plant

raised from seed sent to England by Dr. Livingstone. He

collected it during 1859 on Mount Zomba, near the Shire River

in Nyasaland, and it has since been found as far south as

Barberton District in the Transvaal. The specimen repre-

sented on the accompanying plate was raised from seed

gathered by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans in July 1930 at Zimbabwe,

Rhodesia, and flowered two years later at the Division of

Botany, Pretoria.

The plant as figured originally, differs somewhat from

specimens collected in the natural habitat in the density of the

indumentum and in minor characters of the flowers, but not

more than one would expect under the circumstances.

Pycnostachys urticifolia is well worthy of cultivation on

account of the size and beauty of the flower-spike.

Description : — A much-branched perennial herb, about

90 cm. high ; the stems and branches obtusely quadrangular,

pubescent; upper leaves shortly petiolate, ovate, cordate,

acute, margin crenate, minutely pubescent on both sides, the

hairs denser on the veins ; the lower leaves larger, up to 9 cm.

long, with petioles 3-4 cm. long, otherwise similar to the

younger ones. Inflorescence a dense spike elongating to

about 10 cm. long, 5 cm. wide including the corollas ; bracts

1 cm. long, linear-lanceolate, acute, pubescent, ciliate, green.

Calyx 1 cm. long ; the tube companulate, 2 mm. long, pubes-

cent, with 5 glandular processes which project above the

mouth, alternating with the calyx-lobes ; lobes linear, 8 mm.

long, about 1 mm. broad, with a groove down the inner face,

pubescent, minutely gland-dotted. Corolla bright blue with

very slight mauve tinge; tube subcylindric, sharply deflexed

8 mm. above the base ; upper lip 3 mm. long, cuneate-oblong,

with 4 rounded apical lobes, pubescent and gland-dotted

outside ; lower lip 9 mm. long, 5 mm. deep, boat-shaped with

intruded apex, and sides infolded, ciliate, pubescent and gland-

dotted outside. Stamens not exserted beyond the lower lip,

upper pair 4 mm. long, lower 6 mm. long. Style longer than

the stamens, very shortly bifid. (National Herbarium,

Pretoria, No. 11,729.) R. A. Dyer.

Plate 560. — Fig. 1, margin of leaf magnified; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3.

calyx-lobe with process ; Fig. 4, flower ; Fig. 5, longitudinal section of

flower; Fig. 6, view of under side of corolla; Fig. 7, upper lip of corolla;

Fig. 8, nutlets and gland.

F.P.S.A., 1934.

INDEX TO VOLUME XIV

PLATE