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THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF
SOUTH AFRICA.
A MAGAZINE CONTAINING HAND-COLOUBBD FIGURES WITH DESCRIPTIONS OP THE
FLOWERING PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO SOUTH AFRICA.
EDITED BY
I. B. POLE EVANS, C.M.G., M.A., LL.D., D.Sc.,
IBibision of SnUuah-B, JBepartment of HgricuUu«, Pretoria;
anlj JBirector of tJje ISotanical Surbeg of ®nion of Sout^ 'Africa,
(Published with the Assistance of the Carnegie Corporation of New York)
VOL. XIX
The veld which lies so desolate and bare
Will blossom into cities white and fair,
And pinnacles will pierce the desert air,
And sparkle in the sun.
R. C. Magpie’s “ Ex Unitate Vires."
L. REEVE & CO., Ltd.,
LLOYDS BANK BUILDINGS, BANK STREET, ASHFORD, KENT
SOUTH AFRICA:
J. L. VAN SCHAIK LTD.
P.O. BOX 724, PRETORIA
PBINTBD IN GREAT BEITArN
TO
HENRY GEORGES EOURCADE
D.SC., F.E.S.S.Am.,
OF
WITTE ELS BOSCH, CAPE PROVINCE,
FORESTER, BOTANIST, LAND SURVEYOR
THIS VOLUME IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED IN RECOGNITION
OF HIS SEVERAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANICAL SCIENCE
AND PARTICULARLY FOR HIS VALUABLE EXPLORATORY
WORK ON THE FLORA OF KNYSNA AND THE NEIGHBOURING
DIVISIONS IN THE PROVINOE OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria,
October, 1939.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2016
https://archive.org/detaiis/fioweringpiantso19unse
r 2 7
C.Letty del.
Plate 721.
STAPELIA AEENOSA.
Cape Province.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.
Stapeua Linn. ; Benth. et Rook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.
Stapelia arenosa Luckhoff in S. Afr. Gardening and Country Life,
1935, p. 96.
' Stapelia arenosa was described for the first time as recently
as May 1935, by Carl Luckhoff in South African Gardening
and Country Life. At the same time the author described a
very closely alhed species, S. Beukmanii. Since that name
had been used previously, the plant was renamed S. stulti-
tioides Luckhoff in the second edition of The Stapelieae by
White and Sloane, 1937, vol. 2, p. 452. Referring to S.
stultitioides, Carl Luckhoff drew attention to its affinity with
the two genera Caralluma R. Brown and Stultitia Phillips.
This is by no means an isolated instance in the Stapelieae
wherein a species shows intermediate characters between
related genera. The decision in favour of placing the species
in Stapelia was well founded. The characters given by the
author in distinguishing S. arenosa from S. stultitioides are
the smaller flowers and the absence of a corolla-annulus,
“ but instead just a faint thickening of the disk There is
also a shght difference in the shape of the outer corona-lobes.
An examination of Figs. 389-391 in White and Sloane, Z.c.,
emphasises the similarities of the two species. One is left
with the impression that the two plants may be forms of one
variable species. This view has support since both were
discovered in the Clanwilliam district and neither form has
been recorded elsewhere. In order to throw further hght on
the problem, field work should be carried out during the
flowering period. On the assumption that it is one variable
species, the name S. arenosa has priority over S. stultitioides.
The plant (Dyer & Verdoom, No. 3749) illustrated here was
collected in July 1937 on a botanical expedition arranged by
Mr. G. W. Rejoiolds. It was located in the Doom River
valley, along the road from Clanwilliam to Calvinia, growing
on a rocky slope among shmblets. The area is rich in succu-
lents, and in a small area Haworthia sp. Hoodia sp. Crassula
sp. and Caralluma incarnata N. E. Br. were seen in plenty.
As with most of the other succulents, Stapelia arenosa was
then not in flower, and it was not imtil cuttings flowered at
the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, in Febmary of this
year that its identity was estabhshed. The newly opened
flowers show very little thickening on the united portion of
the corolla, but the incipient annulus becomes slightly more
prominent with age.
Description ; — Stems tufted, up to about 10 cm. high, branched to-
wards the base, 1-1-5 cm. thick, 4-angled, dull green, shortly pubescent;
leaves rudimentary. Peduncles 2 or more on each stem arising from between
the ridges. FUrwers 2-4 together, opening successively. Pedicels about
5 mm. long, pubescent. Sepals about as long or slightly shorter than the
pedicels, oblong-lanceplate, recurved towards the apex, pubescent on upper
and lower surfaces. CoroUa 3-3-6 cm. in diameter, outer surface pubescent
and each lobe with a central rib, inner surface rugose, glabrous, mostly
dark purple but whitish mottled round the corona, the united portion more
or less flat with an incipient annulus; lobes spreading, 1-5-1-75 cm. long,
8-9 mm. wide at the base. Outer corona lobes 1-5 mm. long, ovate, sub-
acute, furnished with a few hairs ; inner corona lobes partly incumbent on
the backs of the anthers with erect tips and dorsal wing- like processes
radiating nearly the same distance as the outer corona lobes. (National
Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 23,391.) — R. A. Dyer.
Plate 721. — Fig. 1, staminal column with inner and outer coronas.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
722
C.Letty del.
Plate 722.
CARALLUMA pruinosa.
Little Namaqualand.
Asclepiadaceab. Tribe Stapelieae.
Caballtjma R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782.
Caralluma pruinosa N. E. Brown, in Gard. Chron. vol. xii. p. 370,
1892; FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 881 (1909).
Little Namaqualand, the home of Caralluma pruinosa,
is now within comparatively easy reach of the Cape Peninsula
by road, but this was certainly not the case in Masson’s time.
Masson collected the type plant towards the end of the
eighteenth century “ from dry parts of Namaqualand among
shrublets ”. It was not until it flowered at Kew in 1796,
however, that he described and flgured it (page 24 and Plate 41)
in his book Stapeliae Novae under the name Stapelia pruinosa.
Nearly one hundred years later N. E. Brown transferred it to
the genus Caralluma.
The specimen flgured now was discovered on the same
expedition mentioned under Plate 721 referring to Stapelia
arenosa, in a similar environment to that recorded by Masson.
It was about 15 miles north-west of Steinkopf, on a rocky
hillside which forms part of the Koosies Mountains. This
was one of the good flnds of the expedition. Incidentally the
trip was most interesting to all members of the party, since
none had any personal Imowledge of that area, including the
remote part known as the Richtersveld, which was penetrated
under the able guidance of Mr. Piet van Heerde of Springbok.
The interior surface of the flowers of Caralluma pruinosa
is covered with short, white, curly hairs which give it the
appearance of “ white hoar-frost ”, on which feature Masson
based the name. Unlike the majority of the Stapelieae, the
younger branches of this species are generously covered with
flowers during a period of three or four months (based on
observations at the National Herbarium, Pretoria, where our
specimens flowered in 1937-38). The colour of the flowers, apart
from the white hairs, was very dark purple or nearly black.
For this reason there was some doubt as to whether it should
be referred to the variety nigra Luckhoff. Since the colour
varies somewhat in most species of this group as a whole,
the difference between the typical form, which is dark purple-
brown, and the variety, which is black, seems insufficient in
itseff to warrant varietal separation. The supporting character
of the variety given by the author is the slightly smaller
size of the flower, but this also is a variable character even
on the same plant. It is a matter of personal choice whether
one uses the varietal name or not and posssibly the writer will
be accused in this and in other cases of holding too broad a
view of species.
Description : — A bushy succulent usually about 25 cm. high, greyish-
green, tinged with purple ; branches towards the base up to 2-5 cm. thick,
4-sided with the faces almost flat or with a central groove ; angles rounded,
in the young stage furnished with rudimentary leaves. Flowers produced
towards the ends of the branches between the angles in groups of 2-3, rarely
solitary, opening successively, shortly pedicellate. Sepals 1 mm. long,
lanceolate, acute. Corolla in bud 5-angled, obtuse, when expanded about
1 cm. in diam., very dark purple or nearly black and vdth white curly hairs
on the upper surface; lobes 4 mm. long, deltoid-lanceolate. Outer corona
lobes united into a tube 1-5 mm. deep, 2 mm. diam., white below merging
into reddish-black above, bifid; inner corona lobes 1-25 mm. long, oblong,
minutely notched at the apex, incumbent on the backs of the anthers and
slightly exceeding them. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 23,392.) —
R. A. Dyer.
Plate 722. — Fig. 1, longitudinal section of flower; 2, staminal column
surrounded by outer and inner coronas.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
7 23
Plate 723.
EUPHORBIA WooDii.
Natal,
Etjphorbiaceae. Tribe Euphorbieae.
Euphorbia L. ; Benth. et Rook. f. Oen. Plant, vol iii. p. 258.
Euphorbia Woodii N. E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. 2, p. 315
(1915).
In the text dealing with Euphorbia gatbergensis under
Plate 649 of this work, reference was made to E. Woodii.
It was stated that the plants known by the names E. Woodii
and E. passa, both published for the first time by Brown in
the Flora Capensis, Vol. 5, pt. 2, pp. 315 and 313 respectively,
are not specifically distinct. The differences noted by the
author are inconstant under natural conditions. The name
E. Woodii was given by Brown to plants collected near
Durban by Dr. J. Medley Wood, founder and for many years
curator of the Natal Herbarium, Durban. The name E.
passa was given to a plant with an interesting history.
According to Brown it was introduced into cultivation by
Cooper (his father-in-law) in 1862. It was first figured under
the name E. pugniformis Boiss. Later, after changing owner-
ship, the identical plant was figured as E. procumbens Mill.,
an earlier synonym of E. pugniformis Boiss. Subsequently
Brown showed these identifications to be incorrect and
renamed the plant E. passa. Cooper, however, could not
remember definitely the locality in which he had collected
the plant. It was not until Medley Wood sent photographs
and branches in fluid of a plant collected near Scottsburg,
which agreed in every essential respect with Cooper’s plant,
that Brown felt justified in locahsing the species. His con-
jecture had strong support, since Cooper had collected plants
extensively on the Natal coast during 1862. Medley Wood
was thus intimately associated with both E. passa and E.
Woodii. Hence in selecting the specific epithet to include
both forms, E. W oodii seemed the obvious choice.
The plant figured here was collected by ]\Ir. Kuschke at Park
Rynie, forty miles south of Durban, Natal, and was transferred
by him to a rockery in Magahesberg, Transvaal. The illustra-
tion was made when it flowered in the following February.
The headquarters of the species appears to be near Park
Rjmie, where it grows commonly in the short runner grass,
Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Richt. on the sand dunes.
In addition to moisture-laden sea breezes, E. Woodii is
influenced by an average annual rainfall of about 40 inches.
It is not altogether surprising, therefore, that under cultiva-
tion it is tolerant of more liberal w'atering than the majority
of South African succulent plants. In fact, if the water
supply is reduced too drastically, all the branches shrivel and
fall off at one time. Under natural conditions only a few of
the older branches die off annually. The branches vary
considerably in length and thickness, depending on the site.
Only rarely, and then probably due to injury, does the main
body of the plant branch.
Description : — A dwarf mccvlent. Stem or body of the plant mostly
below ground passing insensibly into a slender root, obconic up to 12 or
15 cm. thick, producing a series of branches from the circumference of the
truncate or slightly depressed tuberculate central area; the tubercles
radiating from the centre or from a central groove, persisting on the older
portions of the stem. Branches 20-40, up to about 20 cm. long, 1-1-5 cm.
thick, cylindric, tuberculate, bright green ; tubercles rhomboid, about 1 cm.
long, bearing rudimentary leaves towards the apex ; leaves linear, acute,
concave above. Involucres on peduncles 0-3-1 -5 cm. long, borne both on
the branches and on the central branchless area in the axils of tubercles,
cup-shaped, glabrous Tvith 5 glands and 5-fringed lobes; peduncles rarely
persisting more than one season; glands horizontally spreaxiing, 2-2-5 mm.
in their greater diam., somewhat transversely oblong or elliptic oblong,
entire or crenate on the outer margin which may also be more deeply notched
about the middle, yellow. Ovary 3-angled, thinly pubescent with long
hairs, subsessile or very shortly pedicellate; styles united into a stout
column with broad obcordate recurved-spreading stigmas. Capsule
obtusely 3-angled, about 7 mm. diam., seed rugose, brown-black. (National
Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 23,396.) — R. A. Dyer.
Plate 723. — Figs. 1 and 3, terminal portions of mature branches; 2,
young branch ; 4, cyathium ; 5, gynoecium.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
C.Letty del-
Plate 724.
STAPELIA WooDii.
Natal.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.
Stapelia lAnn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.
Stapelia Woodii N. E. Br. in Gard. Chron. vol. xi. p. 554 (1892) ; FI.
Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 974 (1909).
It will be observed that two plants named in honour of
Dr. J. Medley Wood appear in this part. The other, Euphorbia
Woodii, may be seen on Plate 723. Stapelia Woodii was
discovered by Medley Wood about the year 1890 near Noods-
berg, New Hanover district. Natal. Specimens from there
were described by N. E. Brown in the Gardeners’ Chronicle
in 1892, but it was not figured until 1937, when, by permission
of the Bentham Trustees, a drawing by M. Smith was repro-
duced by White and Sloane in Stapelieae. Within recent
years the species has been recorded both in the Weenen and
Estcourt districts of Natal. The specimen figured here was
received from the former locality by Mr. J. E. Repton, whose
plant flowered in Pretoria in February 1938. Like many
other members of the Stapelieae, the species flourishes best
in the field under the protection of scrub bushes which afford
moderate shade.
As has been pointed out in other works, the coronal
structure of Stapelia Woodii shows a decided affinity with
that of species of Caralluma. On the other hand, the convex
disk, which supports the corona, is strongly reminiscent of
the disk of Duvalia. It is interesting to note that the nearest
related species, Stapelia Molonyae White et Sloane, is found
about 1500 miles farther north in Kenya.
Description : — A small succulent plant forming small
clumps of stems up to about 9 cm. high and 1*5 cm. thick,
4-angled with ascending spreading teeth, light green sometimes
mottled; teeth sharply pointed at first, occasionally with
two small points below the apex, withering with age and
then obtuse. Flowers 3 or more, successively produced from
near the base of the young branches. Pedicels 2-3 cm.
long, glabrous. Sepals 5 mm. long, lanceolate, acute,
glabrous. Corolla about 3-5 cm. in diameter with a raised
disk supporting the corona, the lobes spreading horizontally,
glabrous on both surfaces, rugose on the inner surface, more
or less 5 cm. long, and 8 mm. broad at the base, ovate, sub-
acute, ciliate with dark purple clavate vibratile hairs, almost
black above. Outer corona-lobes horizontally spreading, 1*5
mm. long, 1*5 mm. broad, almost quadrate, irregularly and
bluntly toothed at the apex, with 2 ridges and canaliculate
down the middle, dark purple brown ; inner corona-lobes
incumbent on the backs of the anthers, connivent, produced
into short subulate suberect points at the apex, ovate at the
base, with a short blunt tubercle, purple-brown. (National
Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 24,196.) — R. A. Dyer.
Plate 724, — Fig. 1, cross section of corolla disk, 2, outer and inner
corona-lobes.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
k
72 5
C.Letty del.
Plate 725.
HABENARIA malacophylla.
Cafe Province, Transvaal.
Orchid ACE AE. Tribe Ophbydeae.
Habenaeia Willd. ; Benth. et Hook. /. Oen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 624.
Habenaria malacophylla Reichb. f. Otia Bot. Hamb. vol. ii. p. 97 ;
FI. Gap. vol. V. sect. 3, p. 126.
The specimen figured was collected by Mr. A. E. Grewcock
at Haenertsburg in the north-eastern Transvaal. The species
was found in imdergrowth close to the edge of the forest,
and was associated with Disperis Fanniniae and Liparis
Bowkeri, which we illustrated on Plates 308 and 587 re-
spectively.
Habenaria malacophylla, like several other species of
orchids, has a wide range of distribution. It was collected
on the Katberg in the Stockenstroom district, and extends
northwards through the Transkei, Griqualand East, Natal,
to the mountains of the north-eastern Transvaal. The species
has also been recorded from east and west tropical Africa.
On the Haenertsburg the species is found in flower during
the month of February.
Description : — ^A herb 30-50 cm. high with ovoid tubers
about 3 cm. long. Leaves 7-8, cauline, 5-12 cm. long, 2^
cm. broad, sessile, elhptic-lanceolate, sub-acuminate, glabrous.
Inflorescence 15-30-flowered, 10-16 cm. long, somewhat
lax. Bracts about 1*5 cm. long, gradually decreasing in
size upwards, narrowly ovate-lanceolate. Flowers green.
Pedicel (including ovary) up to 1*5 cm. long. Dorsal sepal
about 5 mm. long, ovate, obtuse or minutely emarginate;
lateral sepals 6 mm. long, spreading, obhquely ovate-oblong.
Lateral petals 2-partite; upper lobe Hnear-oblong, subacute,
adpressed to the inner margin of the dorsal sepal ; lower lobe
subfihform, curved; lip about 6 mm. long, 3-lobed, with the
lobes filiform and with the two lateral lobes spreading and
sHghtly shorter than the middle lobe; spur about 1 cm.
long, curved. Column 2 mm. long; stigmas nearly 2 mm.
long, oblong, obtuse. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No.
21,055).
Plate 725. — Fig. 1, front view of complete flower; 2, dorsal sepal;
3, lateral sepal ; 4, lateral petal ; 5, lip with spur ; 6, anthers and stigmas.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
Plate 726.
WATSONIA BULBILLIFERA
Cape Province.
Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Miller ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia bulbillifera Mathews et L. Bolus in Annals of the Bolus
Herb. vol. iii. p. 140.
This Watsonia was collected at Joostenberg in the Paarl
Division, and has flowered in the National Botanic Gardens,
Kdrstenbosch, for many years. For the horticulturist it is
not so successful as many of the other species, owing to its
tall lax spikes, with few flowers open at one time, but to the
botanist it is one of the most interesting species. It is closely
aUied to W. Meriana Miller, which is fairly frequent on parts
of the Cape Peninsula and extends up the west coastal belt
as far as Van Rhjmsdorp ; but whereas W. Meriana occasion-
ally produces a few bulbils in the axils of the lower leaves,
W. bulbillifera produces them in great numbers in the axils
of the upper cauline leaves and bracts. Few capsules are
formed, these usually producing only one or two ripe seeds,
and in the axil of the same bract a few bulbils are nearly
always found.
The internal structure of a bulbil is exaetly like that of a
young corm. As the flowering stem dries the bulbils fall to
the ground and give rise to new plants.
DESCRiPTioisr : — Plant up to 2*1 metres, usually about 1-8
m. high ; stem 0-9-Fl cm. diam. Corm more or less placenti-
form, 7 cm. long, 4 cm. diam., tunics composed of thick
fibres. Leaves 5-6, basal, ensiform, 52-63 cm. long, up to
6 cm. broad; 3-5 cauline, sheath up to 23 em. long, free
part up to 14 em. long, uppermost up to 6 cm. long. In-
florescence lax, 49-5-64 cm. long; internodes 3-4 cm. long,
branched, branches scarcely diverging, the lowest up to
53 cm. long, the upper up to 8 cm. long, a few additional
1 -flowered branches above. Bract membranous in upper half,
2’2-l*7 cm. long. Bracteoles completely fused, as long as
bract. Perianth patent-erect, brick-red, pale outside, inside
of tube longitudinally white-striped, 6-7 cm. long, expanded
flower 3*4 cm. diam. ; lower part of tube filiform, 1*8 cm.
long, 3-5 mm. diam., upper part cylindrical, patent, up to
2*5 cm. long, 1 cm. diam. at mouth; segments scarcely
patent, concave, 2-4 cm. long, exterior oblong, 1-3 cm. broad,
interior obovate, slightly lobed at base, 1-4 cm. broad. Stamens
arcuate, filaments 3-2 cm. long, anthers dark purple, exserted,
1 cm. long, pollen pale purple. Stigma just exserted ; capsule
cylindrical, 3 cm, long, 6 mm. diam., very rarely produced.
Bulbils obliquely globose, rostrate, up to 2-4 cm. long, 1-5
cm. diam. at base, in fascicles (up to 28 to a fascicle) in axils
of upper cauline leaves and bracts and borne to apex of
flowering stem. (National Botanic Gardens, No. 707/13.
T>q)e in Bolus Herbarium.) — G. J. Lewis.
Plate. 726. — Fig. 1, plant, reduced; 2, corm, reduced; 3, upper part
of leaf; 4, flowering spike; 5, flower laid open; 6, single style branch;
7, ripe capsule and bulbils; 8, half section of bulbil, longitudinal; 9, ripe
seed.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
f.
72 7
G.J. Lewis del.
Plate 727.
POLYSTACHYA zuluensis.
Zululand.
Oechtdaceae. Tribe Vandeae.
PoLYSTACHYA Hook. Exot. FI. t. 103 ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant.
vol. iii. p. 540.
Polystachya zuluensis L. Bolus, sp. nov.
Planta ad 36 cm. alta in Vellozia sp. epiphytica, racemo terminali
fnictifero foliisque emarcidis dum racemi laterales in vagrnis canlinis orientes
florent. PseudobulJbi multi crebri, anguste ovati, l*^2-7 cm. longi, basi
ad 1-2 cm. diam. ; hornotinus florens viridis, vaginis 5 siccis conspicue
venosis apice truncatis l’7-2-4 cm. longis vestitus. Caulis omnino vestitus,
strictus, gracilis, ad 3 mm. diam., vaginis 2-3 basaUbus truncatis, e reUquis
foliorum disarticulatorum compositis 0-8-1 cm. longis, superioribus acutis
vel obtusis membranaceis brunneis ad 5 cm. longis. Folia ad 6 visa, basi
arte imbricata, inferiora patentia, superiora fere erecta, laminis condu-
pHcatis linearibus superne leviter angustatis obtusis laete viridibus politis,
textura firma, nervis primariis 5 inconspicuis 1-1-11-5 cm. longis ad 8 mm.
latis. Racemus terminalis 3-5 cm. longus, ad 12-florus, floribus blacims,
rhacbilla pubescente, setis patentibus brevibus; laterales 6-7. Bracteae
late ovatae vel suborbiculares, 3-1 mm. longae. Pedicelli breves, fructiteri
ad 8 mm. longi, parce pubescentes. Sepalum impar Hneare, superne angusta-
tum, obtusum, 7 mm. longum, basi 2-5 mm. latum; lateraUa patentia,
oblique ovata vel oblique oblonga, dimidio superiore angustata, cum impari
basi parce pUosa, ad 4 mm. lata. Petala oblongo-obovata, 7 mm. longa,
ad 3 mm. lata. Labellum circuitu late obovatum, obscure trUobum, lobis
rotundatis 6 mm. longis ad 5 mm. latis. Golumna lat. visa superne ampliata,
3 mm. longa, pede producto 3 mm. longo. Anthera suborbicidaris. Capsula
cylindrica, ad 2-5 cm. longa ad 3 mm. diam.
ZuEULAND : Ubombo, Gerstner, National Botanic Gardens, No. 864/33.
The plant described was discovered by the Rev. J.
Gerstner and communicated in flower by the Natal Herbarium
in May 1933. A portion of the plant was grown at Kirsten-
bosch and leaves were produced on one pseudobulb in Decem-
ber 1933. The flowers are among the medium-sized in the
South African species of Polystachya, and it differs from the
rest of these chiefly in its straight and slender reed-like habit
of growth and its more numerous leaves. About six of the
South African species have been figured, the last being P.
transvaalensis Schltr. in Plate 297 of this work.
Desceiption : — Plant up 36 cm. high, epiphytic on Vellozia sp., the
terminal raceme in fruit and the leaves withered while the lateral racemes,
arising in the axils of the cauline sheaths, are in bud or flower. Pseudobulbs
many, crowded, narrowly ovate, 1-5-2-7 cm. long, base up to 1-2 cm. diam. ;
the current year’s flowering pseudobulb green, clothed with 5 dry con-
spicuously veined sheaths, truncate at the apex, 1-7-2 *4 cm. long. Stem
entirely invested with sheaths, straight, slender, up to 3 mm. diam., the 2-3
basal sheaths composed of the remains of the disarticulated leaves, 0-8 —
1 cm. long, the upper ones acute or obtuse, membranous, brown, up to 5 cm.
long. Leaves as many as 6 seen, closely imbricating at base, the lower
spreading, the upper almost erect, the blades folded in the middle, linear,
slightly narrowed upwards, obtuse, bright green, polished, the texture firm,
the primary nerves 5, inconspicuous, 1-1-11-5 cm. long, up to 8 mm. broad.
Terminal raceme 3-5 cm. long, up to 12-fl. ; flowers mauve or lilac ; the rhachilla
pubescent with short spreading hairs ; lateral racemes 6-7. tracts broadly
ovate or suborbicular, 3-1 mm. long. Pedicels short in the flowering stage,
elongated to 8 mm. in fruit, sparingly pubescent. Odd sepal linear, narrowed
upwards, obtuse, 7 mm. long, 2-5 mm. broad at the base; lateral sepals
spreading, obliquely ovate or oblong, narrowed in the upper half, like the
odd sepjJ sparingly pilose at the base, up to 4 mm. broad. Petals oblong-
obovate, 7 mm. long, to 3 mm. broad. Lip broadly obovate in outline,
obscurely 3-lobed ; the lobes rounded, 6 mm. long, up to 5 mm. broad.
Column viewed laterally widened upwards, 3 mm. long, the foot produced
for 3 mm. Anthers suborbicular. Capsule cylindric, up to 2-5 cm. long,
3 mm. diam. (National Botanic Gardens, No. 864/33). — L. Bolus.
Plate 727. — Fig. 1, portion of plant with one pseudobulb in leaf;
2, an immature pseudobulb; 3, pseudobulb in flower; 4, withered leaves
disjointed from the latter — natural size; 5, bract, X 3; 6, fl., side view,
X 2 ; 7, fls., front view from difierent angles, x 3 ; 8, fl., sepals and petals
removed, side view, x 3; 9, odd sepal; 10, side sepal; 11, petal; 12, lip,
X 2; 13, column, side view; 14, do., front view, foot removed, x 5; 15,
do., anther removed, x 7 ; 16, poUinarium, enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
G.J. Lewis del.
Plate 728.
EULOPHIA ANTENNATA.
Zululand.
Orchidaceae. Tribe Vandeae.
Eulophia R. Br. ex Bindley in Bot. Reg. sub t. 686 (1823) ; Benth. et Hookf.
Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 535.
Eulophia antennata ScMechter in Engl. Bot. JaJirb. vol. xxvi. p. 334;
Rolfe in Dyer FI. Cap. vol. v. sect. 2, p. 42.
This species is among the least known of the South African
Eulo'pJiiae. For no collection appears to have been recorded
since Schlechter’s discoveries were made, until the plant
figured here was sent to us by Mr. H. Herre, Curator of the
Stellenbosch University Botanic Gardens, in April, 1936.
It was sent by Mrs. H. W. Bell Marley in December 1935
from Togoland, North Zululand. The plant has been com-
pared with a specimen in the Bolus Herbarium of the collec-
tion from Inyamasan, Delagoa Bay {Schlechter 12,075),
named by Schlechter E. antennata, with which it agrees
fairly well except in its shorter stature and more luxuriantly
developed leaves. The type-specimens are described as
being “ 1-2 feet in height ”, and the leaves “ reduced to short
hnear acuminate sheaths situated at the base of the stem,
palhd ”. Schlechter also remarks that it is a “ pallid and half-
saprophytic leafless herb ”.
It is unusual in the genus, as represented in South Africa,
to find the sepals so greatly exceeding the petals in length;
and even more remarkable is their erect or nearly erect
position, which no doubt suggested a resemblance to the
antennae of insects and accounts for the specific name.
Description : — Plant 18 cm. high. Leaves 3 fully pro-
duced, the basal sheath-like, not fully developed during the
flowering-period; blade linear, tapering downwards, acumin-
ate ; primary nerves 3, 2-5-16 cm. long, up to 8 mm. broad.
Scape 14-17 cm. long, up to 2 mm. diam. ; sheath 1, placed
below the middle or a little above the base of the scape,
6-8 mm. long. Raceme in early stage of development 4 cm.
long, lax. Bracts acuminate, 6-8 mm. long. Sepals erect
or suberect, converging towards the apex, narrow-spathulate,
2 cm. long, up to 3 mm. broad; side sepals sHghtly oblique.
Petals directed forwards, linear-oval, 1'3-1*5 cm. long, to
4 mm. broad. Lip inferior, oblong in outline, 2 cm. long
including the spur 3^ mm. long, up to 1 cm. broad, lobed
from above the middle, the side lobes rounded, the middle
lobe truncate, the 3-5 verrucose keels extending to about
the middle of the lobe, inconspicuously crested. Column
8 mm. long; anther suborbicular in outline, constricted a
little above the middle, gland of orbicular pollinia arcuate. —
L. Bolus. (Stellenbosch University Botanic Gardens, 846.)
Plate 728. — Fig. 1, portion of plant with one pseudobulb in leaf; 2,
portion of plant in flower — nat. size ; 3, flower, side view ; 4, odd sepal ;
5, side sepal; 6, petal; 7, lip; 8, ditto, from another flower; 9, column
and ovary, side view; 10, column, front view, x 2 ; 11, column, front view,
anther removed, x 3 ; 12, anther, x 5 ; 13, pollinarium, x 7.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
y29
M, Walgate iel.
Plate 729.
NEOBAKERIA heterandea.
Cape Province.
Lujaceae. Tribe Scilleae.
Neobakeeia Schltr. in Notizblatt. Bot. Oart. Berlin, vol. ix. p. 149 (1924).
Neobakeria heterandra Isaac, sp. nov. ad N. Visseriae Barnes affinis sed
foUis pustulatis et staminibus differt.
Bulbuls ovoideus ad 1-4 cm. diam., tunicis membranaceis brunneis. Folia
2, subbumistrata, ovata, apice acuta, supra pustuHs albis ornata, cum vagina
ad 3-5 cm. longa, ad 1-3 cm. lata. Pedunculus in vaginis foUorum inclusus.
Corymbus compressus, 2-6-florus. Bracteae spatbulatae apicibus acutae,
inferiores 1-5 cm. longae, 2-5 mm. latae, superiores paullo minores. Pedicelli
albi vel roseo-albi, gracUes, circa 7 mm. longi. Perianthium album vel
roseum, tube cylindrico, superne baud ampbato, ad 1-7 cm. longo, 1-5 mm.
diam., segmentis spatbulatis subacutis ad 6 mm. longis 1-5 mm. latis.
Filamenta basi per 1 mm. connata, in fauce tubi inserta inaequilonga, 3
exteriora periantbia superantia, circa 8-5 mm. longa, cum basi connata,
3 interiora baud segmentis longiora circiter 6-5 mm. longa, antberae atratae,
minutae. Stylus cyUndricus demum stamina superans stigmate minuto.
Ovarium viride, 4 mm. longum, 1-5 mm. diam.
VUiLiEESDOEP, Caledon Drv. Stokoe, in Bolus Herb. 22,309.
The genus Neobakeria, created by Schlechter in 1924,
consists of those species of Polyxena which formed the sub-
genus Astemma. This subgenus was considered distinct by
Baker, who notes in his monograph in the Flora Capensis
that he regarded it as more closely related to Massonia.
Neobakeria is differentiated from Polyxena by the possession
of uniseriate stamens.
When Schlechter founded the genus it comprised seven
species : six new combinations and one new species — namely,
Neobakeria namaquensis Schltr. Since then Neobakeria Vis-
seriae Barnes has been described from the Clanwilham Division.
Under the name Polyxena a plate and description of Neo-
bakeria haemanthoides (Bak.) Schltr. appeared in this work
in 1922 (Plate 56).
For our material we are indebted to Mr. T. P. Stokoe, one
of the most indefatigable collectors of the high mountain
flora of the south-western Cape. The bulbs were collected
in flower on the Louw’s Hoek Mountain near Villi ersdorp,
Caledon Division, in April 1938.
Descbiption : — Bulb ovoid, up to 1-4 cm. diam. covered with brown
membranous tunics. Leaves 2, prostrate or ascending, ovate, apex acute,
vaginate for 1 cm. at the base, the upper surface dotted with white pustules
up to 3-5 cm. long (including the vaginate base), 1-3 cm. broad. Peduncle
included. Corymb compressed, 2-6 flowered. Bracts spathulate with acute
apices, the lower 1-5 cm. long, 2-5 mm. broad, the upper slightly smaller.
Pedicels white or whitish-pink, slender, about 7 mm. long. Perianth white or
pink, tube cylindrical, scarcely widened at the throat, up to 1-7 cm. long,
1-5 mm. diam. segments spathulate subacute up to 6 mm. long, 1-5 mm.
broad. Filaments connate for 1 mm. at the base, inserted in the throat of
the tube, unequal, 3 outer filaments overtopping the perianth-segments
about 8-5 mm. long (including the connate basal portion), 3 inner scarcely
longer than the perianth-segments, about 6-5 cm. long., anthers small, black.
Style cylindrical at length overtopping the stamens, stigma small. Ovary
green, 4 mm. long, 1-5 mm. broad. — F. M. Isaac.
Plate 729. — Fig. 1, plant, X 1 ; 2, flower; 3, flower; 4, upper bract,
X 2 ; 5, flower, tube opened, x 3 ; 6, gynoecium, x 3 ; 7, perianth-segment,
X 4 ; 8, stigma and tip of style, X 10 ; 9, leaf surface, x 6 ; 10, pustule,
X 10.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
y3o
C. Letty deL
Plate 730.
CRATEROSTIGMA Wilmsh.
Transvaal, Orange Free State.
ScROPHULARiACEAE. Tribe Geatioleae.
CRATEROSTIGMA Hochst. / Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii, p. 954.
Craterostigma Wilmsii Engl, ex Diels in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. vol. 26, p. 122 ;
FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 2, p. 361.
On Plate 106 we figured a species of Craterostigma {G.
plantagineum) which differs from that illustrated on the
accompanying plate in having blue flowers. So far as our
records go, C. Wilmsii appears to be confined to South Africa
and to the higher altitudes of the eastern Orange Free State
and the north-eastern Transvaal. The specimen figured
was collected in January 1938 by Miss A. M. Bottomley, B.A.,
at Donkerpoort, east of Pretoria, and constitutes a new
locality record. Like the second species mentioned above,
it is well worth cultivation as a green-house plant, as it
requires moist conditions, being a marsh plant in its native
habitat. Miss Bottomley describes the habitat as a gentle
slope with exposed rock surfaces and water seeping down
between the rocks washing down sandy loam. Plants were
growing in profusion and formed a striking picture against
the bare rock. Associated with Craterostigma Wilmsii were
several species of Cyperaceae, a species of Selaginella and a
liverwort, the last having the same habit as the Selaginella
of drying up in winter.
Description : — An acaulescent plant with a scape 12-
17 cm. high. Leaves in a flat basal rosette, 2*5-4 cm. long,
0-5-1-3 cm. broad, lanceolate or lanceolate-ovate, obtuse,
narrowed at the base, flat or somewhat concave on the upper
surface, glabrous above. Scapes 1-3 from each rosette,
simple or branched; bracts opposite, similar to the basal
leaves but smaller. Pedicels as long or shghtly longer than
the bracts, elongating in fruit, shortly pilose. Calyx 1 cm.
long, shortly 5-lobed, with the lobes lanceolate, shortly
pilose. Corolla bilabiate; lower lip dark red, 0*8 cm. long,
1’3 cm. broad, 3-lobed, with the lobes ovate and rounded,
densely hirsute with purphsh hairs at the base; upper lip
white, 0*5 cm. long, 0*5 cm. broad, ovate, concave, notched at
the apex. Stamens in 2 pairs ; the upper pair attached to the
lower lip ; filaments of lower pair attached to a large yellow
cushion, strongly deflexed, then bending upwards, with the
cushion produced down the corolla-lobe as a somewhat
raised line covered with golden hairs; anthers pilose. Ovary
greenish, ovoid, glabrous ; style simple, almost as long as the
lower lip; stigma simple, flattened and broader than the
style. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 24,478).
Plate 730. — Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of a flower.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
Plate 731.
ALOE Framesii.
Cape Province^ Namaqualand.
Liliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.
Aloe Linn., Benth. et Hook. f. Oen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.
Aloe Framesii L. Bolus in S. Afr. Qard. and Country Life 1933, p. 140,
In the publication “ South African Gardening and Country
Life ” appeared three descriptions of plants belonging to
the genus Aloe — viz. A. Framesii L. Bolus (1933, p. 140) ;
A. amoena Pillans (1933, p. 168); A. khamiesensis Pillans
(1934, p. 25). The plants on which the descriptions were
based were found from Clanwilliam in the south to north of
Port NoUoth in Namaqualand.
Mr. G. W. Reynolds, in July 1937, made a special study
in the veld of plants growing in different localities, and is
inclined to the view that only one species is involved. Mr.
Reynolds is of the opinion that A. Framesii and A. amoena
are conspecific, and that perhaps A. khamiesensis might be
considered a variety of A. Framesii — the difference being
in the habit of growth. Specimens of plants are found on
the sand- veld coastal belt at an altitude of only a few hundred
feet above sea level, and extend to the mountainous areas
30-60 miles inland. In all the localities there is a remarkable
uniformity in the colour of the flowers and the only variations
are found in the habit of growth and the branching of the
inflorescence. The plant we figure was collected by Mr.
Reynolds three miles west of Clanwilliam.
Description : — Acaulescent plant with a basal rosette
of leaves. Leaves up to 31 cm. long, 6 cm, broad at the base,
lanceolate, acuminate, with the margins toothed, with whitish
spots on the upper and under surfaces; teeth about 2 mm.
long, up to 8 mm. apart, reddish. Inflorescence 70 cm. long.
Barren bracts 1*7 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, ovate, acute. Raceme
36 cm. long. Bracts similar to the barren bracts but de-
creasing in size upwards. Pedicels bearing mature flowers
2-5 cm. long. Perianth scarlet red in bud, becoming more
yellow on maturity; segments 3*5 cm. long, 0-9 cm. broad.
Stamens and style slightly exserted. (National Herbarium,
Pretoria, No. 24477.)
Plate 731. — Fig. 1, a bract; 2, median longitudinal section of a
flower.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
7 32.
C.Letty del.
Plate 732.
ALOE Davyana var. subolifera.
Transvaal.
Leliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.
Aloe Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Oen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.
Aloe Davyana Schonl. var. subolifera Oroenewald var. nov. in
sectione Saponariae Berger ad A. Davyanam valde accedit sed subolibus
numerosis et inflorescentiae ramorum habitu difiert.
Tbansvaal : Pretoria distr., near Pienaar’s River, Aug. 1936, van der
Merwe in Nat. Herb. 22816.
This Aloe was first recognised by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans,
C.M.G., as distinct from Aloe Davyana, and he suggested at
the time the specific epithet subolifera. It very definitely
merges into A. Davyana (see Plate 358) to the south at the
Wonderboom near Pretoria and to the east at Olif ant’s
River, while to the north near Nylstroom are extensive fields
of plants which sometimes resemble A. Davyana and some-
times t3rpical A. Davyana var. subolifera, and sometimes in
addition have a marked A. Oreatheadii (see Plate 369) ap-
pearance (larger plants, many more racemes which are much
less elongated and often four or more plants have their stems
joined at the base).
The variety here described grows in various parts of the
Pretoria and Rustenburg districts, the most typical habitat
being among the shrubs {Acacia spp., Combretum spp.) which
cover the areas of red sand in the vicinity of Pienaar’s River.
It is also found on the surrounding black turf. The plants
form dense colonies, each consisting of up to one hundred
individuals, and each colony extends itself by forming short
underground suckers, which later form an independent root-
system. When the plants are in flower, all the flowers of
one colony are of one shade of colour; adjacent colonies
differ in the shade of colour of the flowers. The flowers
range in colour from pale pinkish-white, through salmon to
a light vermilion : the paler colours show yellowish stripings
between the perianth-segments. This appears to show that
a new colony may originate as a single plant from a seed.
Another species of Aloe (A. ammophila Reynolds) has a similar
habit, but flowers earlier in the year. Interspersed among
clumps of A. Davy ana var. subolifera are clumps of A. trans-
vaaUnsis (Plate 636) which flower in summer and are further
distinguished by the presence of more distinct cross-markings
on the underside of the leaves.
We are indebted to Dr. F. van der Merwe for the interest-
ing notes on the variety we have described and also for the
specimens from which our plate was prepared.
Description : — Plants acaulescent, suckering, forming colonies. Leaves
many in a dense rosette, 6 cm. long, 5 cm. broad, 1-2 cm. thick, more or less
oblong, slightly convex on both surfaces, pale green beneath, somewhat
maculate above, dying off at the apex so that the green fleshy portion
becomes more or less truncate and tipped with the dry spiny projection up
to 7 cm. long ; teeth about 4 mm. long and 8 mm. apart ; older leaves slightly
larger than as stated above and younger leaves smaller. Inflorescences two
from each rosette of leaves, about 60 cm. high, with 2-3 branches on the
upper half; unbranched portion of peduncle 9 mm. diameter, subterete;
branches slightly curved. Empty bracts 1-5 cm. long, long-acuminate from
an ovate ba.se. Raceme 12-18 cm. long. Pedicels 1-2 cm. long, erect in
bud, recurved in open flowers, again erect in fruit. Perianth 2-7 cm. long,
globose and 6 mm. diameter at the base, then slightly narrowing, and
gradually widening to 9 mm. diameter at the mouth; segments joined
just above the middle ; outer segments 4 mm. broad, with a broad reddish
keel and whitish margins; inner-segments 5-5 mm. broad, with a broad
salmon-coloured keel and yellowish margins. Filaments yellowish, slightly
exserted ; 3 somewhat dilated at the base; anthers dark. Ovary green,
6 mm. long, oblong in outline; style yellowish. Capsule (almost mature)
2-1 cm. long, M cm. diameter, obscurely 3-angled.
Plate 732. — Fig. 1, showing general habit; 2, a bract; 3, median
longitudinal section of the perianth.
■pP-S-A., 1939.
Plate 733.
ALOE SUPRAFOLIATA.
Stmziland, Zululand, Natal.
Liliaceab. Tribe Aloineae.
Aloe Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.
Aloe suprafoliata Pole Evans in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr. vol. 5. p. 603.
Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., when he described this
species, considered it to be unique in the genus and proposed
a new section Superpositae for it. From specimens collected
in Swaziland and also from specimens grown at the Division
of Plant Industry, Pretoria, Dr. Pole Evans concluded that
the leaves are always distichous, and he described them as
such. In an account of a botanical trip through Swaziland
in 1937 (Cactus and Succulent Society of America vol. 8,
p. 199), Dr. R. A. Dyer, a member of the staff of the National
Herbarium, found the species growing in profusion, and
records that the specimens on reaching maturity have the
characteristic arrangement of the leaves common to most
species of Aloe, but that if a mature plant grows under adverse
conditions, it may revert to its juvenile appearance, i.e. with
distichous leaves.
Since the discovery of the species in Swaziland in the year
1914, Mr. G. W. Reynolds, who collected the specimen we
figure, has recorded it from Zululand and Natal. On the
Gobeni Mountain, 24 miles east of Vryheid, according to Mr.
Reynolds, specimens of the species occur in countless thousands
and they are more numerous there than in any other locality
known to him.
Description : — Leaves dull greyish-green, distichous or
spiral, 32 cm. long, 7-9 cm. broad at the base, 7 mm. thick,
tapering from the base upwards, convex on the back, slightly
concave on the face, with a thin cartilaginous margin on one
side, armed with shghtly upcurved prickles 4-6 mm. long and
1-1*2 mm. apart; prickles dark coloured above. Peduncle
36 cm. long, terete, 1 cm. diameter. Bracts 1*8-3 cm. long,
1*8 cm. broad, oblong-ovate, subacuminate, many veined.
Raceme 3-4 cm. long, cylindric, tapering upwards, with the
lowermost flowers withered and erect, the open flowers
reflexed, and the unopened flowers erect. Bracts 2 cm.
long, 1 cm. broad, elliptic, deeply concave and clasping the
pedicel, with a central herbaceous portion and broad mem-
branous margins. Pedicel 2 cm. long, 2 mm. diameter.
Perianth coral-red, with green tips, 4 cm. long, 7 mm. diameter,
cylindric, very slightly narrowing above and below; outer
segments 6*5 mm. broad ; inner segments 8 mm. broad, with
a central red keel and broad whitish margins. Stamens
almost as long as the perianth ; filaments light yellow ;
anthers dark orange. Ovary dark green, 7 mm. long, 2*5 mm.
diameter, cylindric; style light yellow, slightly shorter than
the filaments ; stigma minute, capitate. (National Herbarium,
Pretoria, No. 24480.)
Plate 733. — Fig. 1, a bract; 2, median longitudinal section of a flower.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
7 3<
C.Letty del.
Plate 734.
PTERODISCUS AURANTIACUS.
Transvaal.
Pedauaceab. Tribe Pedalieae.
Ptbrodisctts Hook. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p, 1057.
Pterodiscus aurantiacus Welw. in Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. 27. p. 53 ;
FI. Trop. Afr. vol. 4, sect. 2, p. 543.
We are indebted to Mr. J. E. Repton for the specimen of
Pterodiscus aurantiacus, which he collected during October
1936, near Malips Drift, Pietersburg district, Transvaal.
The specimen was planted at the Division of Plant Industry,
Pretoria, and flowered the following year, when our illustration
was prepared. The genus Pterodiscus is represented by about
14 species, all African; the discovery of P. aurantiacus in
the Transvaal adds a third species to those previously known
from South Africa. P. aurantiacus also occurs in Angola,
South-West Africa, and Amboland. When in the fresh
state the plant has a granulated surface; each granule is
sub-globose and made up of four portions. We flgured
a species (P. speciosus) on Plate 213 which differs from P.
aurantiacus in having purple flowers and fruits that are
emarginate at the apex.
Description : — Stem somewhat fleshy. Branches gre3dsh,
covered with small glands. Leaves opposite, petioled ; petiole
about 1 cm. long, deeply channelled above, convex beneath,
covered with small glands; blades 3-7 cm. long, 1* 1-2*4 cm.
broad, lanceolate, obtuse, with slightly undulating margins,
paler and thickly covered with small glands beneath. Flowers
solitary in the axils of the leaves. Pedicels about 5 mm.
long, granulate, with a small dark-purple gland on either
side. Calyx 5 mm. long, granulate; lobes ovate, sub-acumi-
nate. Corolla-tube reddish brown, 4*5 cm. long, 3 mm.
diameter at the base, 1*1 cm. diameter above, gradually
widening upwards, deeply concave on the lower side, with a
distinct keel on the upper side, densely glandular without,
glabrous within except at the insertion of the stamens,
where it is glandular-hairy. Fertile stamens 4; filaments 1
cm. long, somewhat curved, kneed at the base, with long
glandular hairs on the knee ; anther thecae separated, about
1*5 mm. long, somewhat triangular in outline, with a small
ovate orange-coloured gland between them ; staminode
2 mm. long, curved. Ovary on a thick solid receptacle,
2 mm. long, 1-5 mm. diameter, sub-globose, granulate,
2-chambered, with a single ovule in each chamber; style
2 cm. long, terete, glabrous; stigma 2-lobed, with the lobes
1-5 mm. long, flat and with a sparsely fimbriated membranous
margin. Fruit (immature) 4-winged, 3 cm. long, 3 cm.
broad (from wing to wing), granulated. (National Herbarium,
Pretoria, No. 24479.)
4,
Plate 734. — Fig. 1, corolla laid open ; 2, a single stamen ; 3, gynoecium ;
fruits.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
Plate 735.
ZANTEDESCHIA albomaculata.
Cape Province, Transvaal.
Aeacbae. Tribe Philodbndreab.
Zantedbschia Spreng ; {Bichardia Kuntb ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen.
Plant, vol. iii. p. 982).
Zantdeschia albomaculata Baill. in Bull. Soc. Linn. Paris, vol. i, p. 254 ;
FI. Cap. vol. 7, p. 37.
In previous volumes (Plates 10, 15, 141) we illustrated
three species under the name Bichardia Kunth. Under the
International Rules of Nomenclature, the genus Zantedeschia
Spreng. must be retained, so that the names of those
species previously figured should be Zantedeschia angustiloba
Engl. ( = B. angustiloba Schott) ; Z. Behmanni Engl. ( = B.
Behmanni N. E. Br.) ; Z. melanoleuca Engl. ( = B. melanoleuca
Hook. f.).
The species here figured differs from Z. Behmanni in the
leaves being hastate at the base, from Z. angustiloba in having
a white spathe; and from Z. melanoleuca in the relatively
long leaf-blade as compared with the breadth. The leaves
of Z. albomaculata are described as spotted, and Hooker in
his description published in the Botanical Magazine (tab.
5140) over seventy-five years ago called it the “ spotted-
leaved Bichardia.’’’’ The spotting, or rather the translucent
patches on the leaves, does not appear to be a permanent
feature of the species.
All the South African species are favourites in horticulture.
Some, especially Z. angustiloba, have a large sale as cut
flowers in Pretoria and Johannesburg during the months of
October to December.
Z. albomaculata is fairly common on the higher altitudes
of the north-eastern Cape Province — e.g., Aliwal North,
Tembuland, Griqualand East. The specimen from which
our illustration was prepared was collected by Miss I. C.
Verdoom at Waterkloof, near Pretoria, and was cultivated
at the Division of Plant Industry where it flowered in November
1934.
Description : — Leaves petioled ; petioles up to 37 cm.
long, 1-2 cm. broad, broadly channelled on the inner face,
strongly convex on the back, sheathing at the base; blade
27-33 cm. long, 12-5-14*5 cm. broad near the base, sagittate
at the base, distinctly apiculate at the apex. Peduncle of
spathe 28-56 cm. long, terete or semi-terete. Spathe creamy
white, greenish at the base, dark purple at the base within,
12-14 cm. long, 6*5-8 cm. broad across the mouth, distinctly
apiculate at the apex. Spadix up to 6*5 cm. long, vath the
upper half bearing male and the lower half female flowers.
Anthers sessile; pollen grains adhering to one another to
form a string-like body. Ovaries sessile, more or less quadrate
seen from above; stigma sessile, capitate. (National Her-
barium, Pretoria, No. 16949.)
Plate 735. — Fig. 1, cross-section of petiole above; 2, cross-section of
petiole at base ; 3, spadix ; 4, stamens with strings of pollen grains ; 6,
ovary showing sessile stigma.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
736
A.M.Tu|well del.
Plate 736.
DISA Begleyi.
Cape Province.
Okchidacbab. Tribe Ophbydeab.
Disa Bergius, Descr. Plant. Cap. (1767), p. 348; Benth. et Hook, f., Gen.
Plant, vol. iii. p. 630.
Disa Begleyi L. Bolus in Annals Bolus Herb. vol. i. p. 195.
Since the discovery of this species by H. V. Begley in
January 1915, on a plateau of the Hottentotsholland Moun-
tains, south of Sneeuwkop, at an altitude of 4000 to 4500
feet, only one other collection is known to us — ^namely, that
of Travers Jackson made in December 1915 on “ the Stellen-
bosch Mountains.” The plant, though small of stature,
has a fairly large and dense cluster of moderately sized,
richly coloured, pink flowers, which places it among the
showy orchids of the mountains in the Western Province;
and it is remarkable that so attractive an orchid should have
escaped the more frequent observation of mountaineers and
collectors.
If the classification of the Flora Capensis were followed, this
species would be placed with its affinity, D. hivalvata (L.)
Durand et Schinz, in the genus Orthopenihia Rolfe. Its
retention in Disa is in accordance with the views of Swartz,
Bolus, Schlechter, and Kranzlin.
The Plate represents one of the type-specimens collected
by Mr. Begley.
Description : — Plant 7-12 cm. high. Stem leafy through-
out its length. Leaves erect or ascending, the basal portion
sheathing and covering the internodes, 2-4 cm. long, the blades
lanceolate, gradually narrowed upwards, the uppermost
lanceolate-ovate, acute, up to 2-5 cm. long, 5 mm. broad.
Raceme dense, subcorymbose, 2-5 cm. in diameter, up to
12-fl., flowers ascending. Bracts herbaceous, oblong-ovate
MARY GUN-h; L-8RARY |
SOUTH AfRiCAi^ HATIOHAL BIOCIVTRSlTY INSTITUTE i
PRIVATE S/^GX 101
■ PRETORIA 000 1
REPUBIJCOI- SOin;-i A'^RiCA
or ovato, acute, shorter than the ovary, 0*5-1 -4 cm. long.
Pedicels up to 6 mm. long. Odd se'pal reflexed cucullate;
not compressed, rounded at the apex, spurless, 0*7-0*8 cm.
long; lateral sepals widely spreading, recurved at the apex
or sometimes from a little above the base, 0*7-1 cm. long.
Petals resupinate, inflexed at the apex, suborbicular in out-
line, very shortly clawed, the lamina rounded anticously,
5 mm. long. Lip porrect linear, slightly widened above the
middle, acute, 5 mm. long, up to 1*5 mm. broad. Rostellum
suberect, nearly 2 mm. high, the arms diverging, the inter-
mediate lobe resupinate; anther reflexed. (H. V. Begley ^
Bolus Herbarium, No. 13896.) — L. Bolus.
Plate 736. — Fig. 1, fl., front view; 2, do., back view; 3, do., side view;
4, odd sepal; 5, 6, side sepal, front and back view; 7, 8, petal, front and
back view; 9, lip — X 2; 10, column and lip, side view; 11, column, front
view; 12, pollinium — enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
7.9 7
A M. Tugwell del.
Plate 737.
DISA PiLLANSII.
Cape Province.
Oechibaceae. Tribe Ophrydeae.
Disa Bergiua, Descr. Plant. Cap. (1767), p. 348; Benth. et Hook, f., Oen.
Plant, vol. iii. p. 630.
Disa Pillansii L. Bolus in Annals Bolus Herb. vol. ii. p. 32.
The plant represented is one of the type-specimens collected
by N. S. Pillans in October 1915 on the Hottentotsholland
Mountains at Steenbras, near Sir Lowry’s Pass. In November
1923 and again in December 1926 it was found by T. P.
Stokoe in the same area, the latter collection being from the
Kogelberg.
The species is remarkable for the shape of the odd sepal,
in that the margins of the hood turn to meet each other,
forming a vault, and thus partly close the; opening in front,
leaving the latter unusually narrow. Generally in the genus
Disa^ the opening is rounded or obovate. An additional
character in the odd sepal which distinguishes our species
from its allies is the absence of a spur, the latter being replaced
by a hump or broad sac.
Description : — Plant up to 19 cm. high. Leaves 3-4,
basal, erect-spreading, oblong-spathulate or linear, somewhat
leathery, up to 4 cm. long, 1 cm. broad. Scape 2 mm. diam. ;
sheaths 3, acuminate, shorter than the internodes, 2*5-3 cm.
long. Raceme 2-6 fl., flowers ascending. Bracts about as
long as the ovary, 1-1*5 cm. long. Pedicels about 3 mm.
long. Odd sepal erect anticous, deeply hooded or vaulted,
the mouth hnear or oblong, humped at the back near the
middle, 0*8-1 cm. long ; lateral sepals ascending or spreading,
oblong-oval or oblong-obovate, concave keeled, 1-1*4 cm.
long. Petals erect, incurved at the apex, oblong or Hnear-
oblong in outline, slightly narrowed downwards, broadest
near the middle, obtuse, 5-6 mm. long. Lip porrect-ascend-
ing, narrow-linear, obtuse, 5-6 mm. long, scarcely 1 mm.
broad. Rostellum ascending, oblong, 2 mm. long, the middle
lobe reflexed; anther ascending; gland small. Bolus
Herbarium {Pillans 2675.) — L. Bolus.
Plate 737. — Fig. 1, fl., front view, nat. size; 2, odd sepal, front view;
3, do., side view ; 4, side sepal ; 5, petal ; 6, lip — x2 ; 7, column with petals
and lip ; 8, column, front view ; 9, do., side view ; 10, pollinium — variously
enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
7S8
B. 0. Carter del.
Plate 738.
DISA TRILOBA.
Cape Province,
Oechidaceab. Tribe Vandeae.
Disa Bergius, Descr. PI. Cap. p. 348 ; Benth. et Hook. f. Oen. Plant, vol. iii.
p. 630.
Disa triloba Lindl. Oen. et Sp. Orch. p. 351 ; Bolus in Journ. Linn.
Soc. vol. XXV. p. 200; Durand et Schinz, Conspect. FI. Afr. vol. v. p. 109;
Krdnzl., Orch. Gen. et Sp. vol. i. p. 772 ; Eolfe in Dyer Flor. Cap. vol. v.
sect. 3. p. 239. D. sagittalis var. triloba Schlechter in Engl. Bot. Jahrb.
vol. xxxi. p. 232.
The type of this species was collected by Drege in the
Worcester Division, on “ mountains near De Liefde ”
between 1826 and 1834. Since then the only collections
recorded are two made by Dr. C. L. Leipoldt — ^namely, in
the Valley of the River Zondereinde in October 1919, and in
the Worcester Division, between Bain’s Kloof and Worcester,
early in November 1928. The drawing represents a plant
from the latter station, which is probably not far from the
type-locality.
The species was pubhshed in 1838, and has been upheld
by all the authorities since that time except Schlechter, who
reduced it to a variety of D. sagittalis Sw. The two species
are closely allied; but the difference in the shape of the odd
sepal affords a good distinguishing character. It is three-
lobed in the upper part, and the lobes are somewhat triangular,
the intermediate one being larger than the lateral ones;
whereas in D. sagittalis the lateral lobes are rounded and large
and the interme^ate one obsolete.
Description : — Plant 6-15 cm. high. Leaves 3-6, rather
withered at time of flowering, the blades oblong or hnear,
acute or abruptly acute, margins undulate, up to 4 cm. long,
7 mm. broad. Scape entirely clothed with 4-7 imbricate
acute veined membranous sheaths. Raceme 6-11 fl., some-
times compact, 2*5-3*5 cm. long ; flowers ascending. Pedicels
4-5 mm. long. Bracts enwrapping the ovary, equalling or
exceeding it in length, oval-oblong, acute or subobtuse,
membranous, conspicuously veined, up to 1*5 cm. long, and
8 mm. broad. Odd se'pal almost erect, oblong-obovate in
outline, slightly cucullate in lower half, upper half flattened
and dilated to 7 mm. broad, 3-lobed, the lobes almost rounded
or somewhat triangular, the lateral smaller than the terminal
lobe, 1*6 cm. long with the slender tapering spur 5 mm. long.
Side sepals spreading-decurved or somewhat porrect and
finally decurved, oblong, slightly widened towards the apex,
obtuse, 1-1 cm. long, up to 5 mm. broad. Petals almost
erect, widened anticously at the base, obtuse, 8 mm. long,
up to 2*5 mm. broad at the base. Ldp linear, shortly clawed,
obtuse, 9 mm. long, up to 2*5 mm. broad. Column about 1*5
mm. long. Tubercle in the form of a somewhat rounded
lamella. Anther resupinate; glands of the pollinia nearly
circular. Stigma semicircular. {Leipoldt in Bolus Herbarium,
No. 16305, 18851.)— L. Bolus.
Plate 738. — Fig. 1, bract x 3; 2, fl., front view; 3, do., side view —
X 2 ; 4, side sepal x 4 ; 5, petal x 6 ; 6, lip x 3 ; 7, column, front view,
enlarged; 8, do., side view — x 10.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
7 33
7 A.
72
A.M.Tu^weH &. M M-Page del.
73
Plate 739.
LISSOCHILUS PARVIFLORUS.
Caj>e Province.
Orchidaceae. Tribe Vandeab.
Lissochiltjs R. Br. in Lindl. Bot. Reg. t. 573 (1821) ; Benth. et Hook. f.
Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 536.
Lissochilus parviflorus Lindl. Gen. et Sp. Orch. p. 191 ; Lindl. Bot.
Reg. vol. xxiv. Misc. 14 ; Maund, Botanist, vol. iv. t. 172 ; Rolfe in Gard.
Chron. vol. xiii. p. 684, et in Dyer Flor. Cap. vol. v. sect. 3, p. 57.
The geographical range of this species appears to be very
limited, the only recorded localities being Algoa Bay and its
immediate neighbourhood. It was described in 1833, the
type being Dr. Gill’s collection from Stony Vale. The only
other collection cited in the Flora Capensis is that of Loddiges
at Algoa Bay. Since the publication of this work living
plants have been received from Florence Paterson in 1915
and F. H. Holland in 1931, collected at Humewood, near Port
Elizabeth, and from R. Marloth in 1925, the locality being
given as “ sandy dunes near Port Elizabeth.” In 1919
plants from the same station were exhibited at the Cape
Town Wild Flower Show. Drawings were also made of
these, as they differed somewhat in the colour of the flower
from Mrs. Paterson’s plant, whose inflorescence is represented
here. The flowering-period is October and November.
The genus Lissochilus is entirely African with about 100
species of which 13 are found in South Africa. The only
other species previously figured here are the handsome L.
Sander sonii, which forms the subject of Plate 493, and L.
Buchananii figured on Plate 586.
Description : — Plant 25-30 cm. high. Pseudobulbs sub-
globose, 3-2-4 cm. long. Produced leaves 4-7, linear acuminate,
up to 27 cm. long, usually up to 1-5 cm. broad. Scape 5 mm.
diam. ; sheaths up to 5, shorter or longer than the intemodes,
acuminate, 3-5-5 cm. long. Raceme 6-11 cm. long, about
15-fl., flowers ascending. Bracts oblong-ovate, acute or
acuminate, 2-0*8 cm. long. Pedicels about 1 cm. long.
Sepals oblong or obovate-oblong, obtuse, the odd one erect,
the lateral spreading, 1*5 cm. long, up to 8 mm. broad. Petals
almost erect, suborbicular or obovate-orbicular, up to 1*4
cm. long, up to 1*2 cm. broad. Lip inferior in the open
flower, up to 1*7 cm. long with the conical spur 2-3 mm.
long, lobed below the middle, the side lobes erect suborbicular,
4-5 mm. long, the middle lobe obovate-orbicular, up to 1 cm.
long, with 5 verrucose keels reaching to beyond the middle.
Column oblong, slightly constricted near the middle, 8 mm.
long; anther suborbicular, conspicuously rostrate, up to 5
mm. long; pollinia oval; stipe subquadrate. (F. Paterson,
F. H. Holland 3723, Bolus Herbarium 16334.) — L. Bolus.
Plate 739. — Fig. 1, leaf; 2, portion of scape; 3, inflorescence — nat.
size ; 4, fl., front view — x 2 ; 5, do., from another plant ; 6, 7, 8, sepals of
do. ; 9, 10, petal of do., front and back view — nat. size ; 11, lip, column, and
ovary, side view ; 12, lip, front view ; 13, do., side view ; 14, do., flattened —
X 2; 15, column, front view; 16, do., side view; 17, pollinia and gland —
enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
7A0
M.M. Page del.
S
Plate 740.
BROWNLEEA monophylla.
Cape Province.
Okchtdaceae. Tribe Ophrydeae.
Beownleea Harvey ex Lindley in Hook. Lond. Journ. Bot. vol. i. p. 16
(1842) ; Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 631.
Brownleea monophylla Schlechter in Engl. Bot.Jahrb. vol. xx. Beibl. 50,
p. 18 ; Engl. Bot. Jahrb. vol. xxxi. p. 307 ; Rolfe in Dyer Flor. Cap. vol. v.
sect. 3, p. 265.
With the recently described species, the genus Brownleea
now embraces a total of sixteen, of which two occur in Tropical
Africa and one in Madagascar. The remainder are South
African, and are to be found chiefly on mountains at an
altitude exceeding 2000 feet. Only four of the South African
species have been collected frequently and are well known.
The rest {B. Nelsoni, B. natalensis, B. Woodii, B. Pentheriana,
B. macroceras, B. leucantha, B. fiavescens, B. transvaalensis,
and B. monophylla) have apparently all been described from
dried material, and are known only from the t3rpe-collection,
until B. monophylla was found in February 1914 by A. G.
McLoughhn in East Griqualand at Fikelemutu Pass in the
Drakensbergen, near Matatiele, at an altitude of 7500-8000
feet. Later in February 1920 Mr. McLoughlin got it again
between Kokstad and Mount Currie, and this specimen is
represented here.
B. monophylla is perhaps the largest-flowered species in
the genus, and differs chiefly from its very close ally, B.
macroceras, in having 1-2, instead of 3-4 cauline leaves.
Probably, when ample living material is available for examina-
tion, the two species will prove to be identical. The t3rpe-
locality of the former is near the summit of Mopedis Peak,
Witzies Hoek, in the Orange Free State, and of the latter
the Kat River Mountains in the Stockenstrom Division,
Cape Province.
Description : — Plant 22 cm. high. Tubers oval, crowned
with remains of basal sheaths. Stem slender, scarcely up
to 2 mm. diam. ; sheaths 2, basal. Leaves 1-2, ascending
or nearly erect, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, the lower up to
8-5 cm., the upper 4-3 cm., long. Flowers 1-2. Bracts
herbaceous, 2*5 cm. long (or in a 2-fld. raceme of the type
the lower bract up to 4 cm. long). Pedicel about 8 mm. long.
Odd sepal galeate-funnel-shaped, acuminate, 4-7 cm. long
with the spur 3-3 cm., or in the tj^je 3*5 cm., long; side
sepals linear, shghtly oblique, acuminate, 1-5 cm. long, up
to 3*5 mm. broad. Petals oval-oblong, acuminate, slightly
oblique, 1-3 cm. long, up to 4 mm. broad. Lamina of the
lip very narrow, appressed to the stigma, about 1 mm. long.
Column 5 mm. long; rostellum divided to the middle, the
arms diverging; anther horizontal; staminodes in the form
of a tubercle ; stigma orbicular. (A. G. McLoughlin in Bolus
Herbarium, No. 16403.) — L. Bolus.
Plate 740. — Fig. 1, odd sepal; 2, side sepal; 3, petal; 4, lip — x 2;
5, column and lip, front view ; 6, do., side view — x 7.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
Plate 741.
WATSONIA LONGIFOLIA.
Ca'pe Province.
Ikidaceab, Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Mill. ; Benth. et Hook.f. Oen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia lougifolia Mathews et L. Bolus in Ann. Bolus Herb.
vol. iv. p. 115.
This species is very closely related to Watsonia Pillansii
(Plate 745), from which it differs in having narrower and more
acute bracts, which enclose the perianth-tube only, and do not
clasp the rachis as in W. Pillansii, the bract, bracteoles, and
flower diverging from the rachis. It is found in nearly white,
pale rose-pink, old rose, salmon-pink, coral, and terra-cotta,
and occurs along the coastal belt from Knysna, through
Humansdorp, where it is very common, to Grahamstown.
The plant figured here comes from the Knysna Division,
and flowered in the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch,
in Noveml)er, for many years. The most beautiful colour
form of this species is one with pale pink flowers and apple-
green leaves and stem. There are minute staminodes at the
base of the cylindrical part of the perianth-tube, but these are
occasionally missing. They have not been shown in the flower
in the accompanying Plate.
Description : — Plant 1-4 m. high or more. Corm de-
pressed-globose, tunics usually not thick. Leaves 4, basal,
lowest very long, up to 1 m., fourth 56 cm. long, 0-8-1-3 cm.
broad, mid-vein prominent, margins and other veins incon-
spicuous, bright green, shiny; 8 cauline, sometimes 6 (2
uppermost subtending branches, and therefore called spathes),
lowest 34 cm, long, real blade 4 cm. long, sheath firmly ad-
pressed, uppermost 4*5 cm. long, firmly adpressed, internodes
altogether hidden. Inflorescence often simple, rarely with
2 short branches, up to 62 cm. long, up to 37-flowered, fairly
dense, distichous. Bract scarcely clasping stem, oblong or
linear-oblong, acuminate or upper ones obtuse, herbaceous,
apex membranous, 4-5-2 cm. long. Bracteoles 2-7-2 cm. long,
completely fused. Perianth up to 8-7 cm. long, tube curved,
up to 6 cm. long, filiform part as long as cylindrical, outer
segments oblong, subacute, 1-1 cm. broad, inner obovate-
oblong, up to 1-5 cm. broad, uppermost sometimes a little
broader. Stamens arcuate, reaching more than half-way up
segments, anthers pale or dark purple, up to 1-2 cm. long;
3 minute staminodes between filaments. Stigmas reaching
anther tips or a little beyond, up to 7 mm. long. Ovary
shghtly constricted in lower hah, 3-5 mm. long. Capsule
becoming truncate at apex, rather narrow below, up to 2 cm.
long, 8 mm. diam. Seeds 9 mm. long. (J. D. Keet, Bolus
Herbarium, No. 17,852.) — G. J. Lewis.
Plate 741. — Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; 2, corm and basal leaves,
reduced ; 3, top of leaf ; 4, flower laid open ; 6, stigma ; 6, capsules ; 7, seed.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
Plate 742.
WATSONIA WORDSWORTHIANA.
Cape Province.
Iridaoeae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Mill. ; Benth et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia Wordsworthiana Mathews et L. Bolus in Ann. Bolus Herb.
vol. iv. p. 26.
This species belongs to the fairly large group consisting
of Watsonia Meriana and its alhes, but is distinct in having a
rather wide-mouthed perianth-tube and broad segments. The
original corms were found on the Roman’s River farm in the
Tulbagh Division. These were distributed to a few enthusi-
astic gardeners, and some were sent to Kirstenbosch by Mr.
H. K. Tredgold, and from these plants the accompanying
drawing was made about twenty years ago.
The pure white Watsonia known as “ Arderne’s Watsonia ”
or Watsonia Ardernei (Plate 750), which is frequently seen in
gardens in the south-western district, comes from exactly
the same locality as W. Wordsworthiana, and it is thought that
it may be a “ sport ” of W. Wordsworthiana. Apart from the
colouring, there are, however, numerous differences, such as
the very broad, nearly oval segments, the funnel-shaped, wide-
mouthed perianth-tube, and the stamens, which are usually
equilateral instead of arcuate. It is an interesting problem,
and could only be solved by cultivating a number of seeds of
W. Ardernei, to see whether any of them would revert to
W. Wordsworthiana. Watsonias multiply very rapidly by
means of their corms, and are therefore very seldom grown
from seed.
The plant figured as W. Wordsworthiana in the Botanical
Magazine (t. 9261) is not this species, but W. Cooperi, which,
as the writer states, is near W. pyramidata {W. rosea).
Description : — Plant up to 1-65 m. high. Leaves 4 basal,
all same length or lower slightly longer, up to 60 cm. long, up
to 4 cm., most often 2-5-3-5 cm. broad, not shiny, shghtly
glaucous, mid-vein and margins a little raised; 5 cauline,
lower half sheathing, lowest 57-5 cm. long, sheath 22-5 cm.
long, uppermost altogether sheathing. Inflorescence much
branched, branches erect, lowest about 60 cm. long, upper-
most 15 cm. long, main axis 14-16-flowered, flowers ascending,
only rarely patent when fully open, hlac-purple. Bract
herbaceous, upper quarter membranous, 3*2-1 *8 cm. long.
Bracteoles a little longer, free at apex or completely fused.
Perianth tube 5 cm. long, lower part up to 3*5 mm. diam.,
cyhndrical part equally long, 1*3 cm. diam. at throat, seg-
ments obovate-oblong, obtuse, especially inner ones, 3*2 cm.
long, 1*9 cm. broad, inner ones a little wider. Stamens
unilateral, porrect or subarcuate, about 4 cm. long with anthers
1*2 cm. long, richly purple coloured, filaments white or pale
mauve, pollen pale. Style 6*5 cm. long, branches about 7 mm.
long, bifid at middle, short branches again divided, the 12
stigmas about 2 mm. long. Capsule cylindrical, slightly
narrowed towards base, up to 3*5 cm. long. (National Botanic
Gardens, No. 652/13, in Bolus Herbarium, No. 15,203.) — G. J.
Lewis.
Plate 742. — Fig. 1, flower laid open; 2, style-branch and stigmas;
3, capsules ; 4, seed.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
E.Smitli del.
Plate 743.
WATSONIA WlLMANIAE.
Cape Province.
Ieidaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Mill. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia Wiimaniae Mathews et L. Bolus in Ann. Bolus Herb.
vol. iv. p. 114.
Miss M. Wilman, Director of the McGregor Museum,
Kimberley, sent corms of this rather attractive species to the
National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch, but was unable to
give the locality from which they came. Since then plants
which match this very well have been found in the Knysna
Division, and it belongs to the group of Watsonias found
growing near the streams in that forest district. This group
flowers during the summer months, and has short bracts
which do not clasp the rachis, smalhsh and numerous flowers
to the spike. One member of this group, W. Galpinii, has
already been figured (Vol. II, plate 45). From this the present
species differs very markedly, m having a longer perianth-
tube which has a distinct, more or less right-angled bend in it.
Description : — Plant up to 1*4 m. high. Corm depressed
globose. Leaves 6 basal, shghtly glaucous, up to 50 cm. long,
up to 4 cm. broad, lower 2-2-5 cm. broad, mid-rib green and
promment beneath, margins scarcely prominent, pale yellow ;
4 cauline, longer than intemodes, lowest 45 cm. long, sheath
firmly adpressed, 21 cm. long, upper 11 cm. long. Spathes 4,
firmly sheathing, 8-2 cm. long. Inflorescence 4-branched,
branches very erect, main stem 40-flowered, about 50 cm. long,
branches up to 16-flowered, 21 cm. long, flowers distichous
and fairly laxly arranged, diverging from stem. Bract rigid,
erect, upper part membranous, up to 2 cm., more often 0-7-
1 cm. long. Bracteoles fused, as long as bracts or lower ones
shorter. Perianth 5-6 cm. long, tube bent in middle, fihform
part equal to cylindrical or a little shorter, segments 2 cm. long,
outer 9 mm., inner !•! cm. broad. Stamens arcuate, reaching
top of segments, anthers purple, 2-3 mm. long. Capsule
becoming truncate at apex, lower part narrow, up to 1-5
cm. long and 6 mm. diam. Seeds 5 mm. long. (Bolus
Herbarium, No. 18,578.) — G. J. Lewis.
Plate 743. — Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; 2, flower laid open ; 3, atigmas.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
T
Plate 744.
WATSONIA Beatricis
Cape Province.
Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Mill. : Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia Beatricis Mathews et L. Bolus in Ann. Bolus Herb.
vol. iv. p. 52.
Most of the Watsonias are worthy of admiration, and
especially this beautiful and striking species, with its long
spike and numerous, closely arranged, apricot-red flowers,
many of which are open at the same time. Because of this,
and also on account of its flowering season — January to
March — it should be counted among the best species for the
horticulturist.
W. Beatricis comes from the George Division, and was
named after Miss Beatrice Hops, who is the first recorded
collector of this species. The plant figured flowered at Kirsten-
bosch from corms collected by Mr. Eustace Pillans. So far
there has been no record of it occurring outside the George
Division. It belongs to a group of species having firm bracts,
short internodes, and many flowers in the spike, which is
usually unbranched, and includes W. Pillansii (Plate 745) and
W. longifolia (Plate 741), both figured in this volume. The
group, which consists of about eight species, begins in the
George Division, and extends along the coastal belt to Natal.
This species is distinguished from W. Pillansii, to which it is
closely allied, by its subglaucous leaves, distinctly prominent
mid-vein and margins, several flowers open at same time, and
its broader segments, which are patent, soon recurving.
Description : — Gorm depressed-globose, about 6 cm.
diam., tunics of thick fibres. Stem, including spike, up to
95 cm. high or occasionally a Httle higher. Leaves 3 basal,
subglaucous, mid-vein and margins fairly prominent and
straw-coloured, up to 75 cm. long, 3 cm. broad; 8 cauline,
imbricate, completely enclosing stem, lowest up to 74 cm.
long, sheathing part 14 cm. long, uppermost 9 cm. long.
Inflorescence up to 51 cm. long, spike simple or with 1 or 2
branches produced later, usually 30-40-flowered, often 15-17
open at same time. Bract as long as intemode or upper ones
longer, herbaceous, reddish, apex and margins membranous,
ovate-oblong, very broad at base, ventricose, scarcely keeled,
lower acuminate, upper obtuse, viscous inside, 3-5-1 -5 cm.
long. Bracteoles completely fused, ovate-orbicular, equalling
bracts. Perianth erect-patent, tube 5 cm. long, filiform part
2 cm. long, throat 6 m*m. diam. ; segments patent, soon
recurving, obtuse, 2-5 cm. long, outer oblong, 1-1 cm. broad,
inner ovate-oblong, up to 1-6 cm. broad. Stamens arcuate,
reaching to within 6 mm. of apex of segment, filament salmon,
closed anther 1-4 cm. long, white, open purple-blue. Style a
little exceeding stamens, primary branches 1 cm. long,
secondary 5 mm. long. Ovary subobconic, 5 mm. long, 3 mm.
diam. at apex. Capsule cylindrical, rather narrow towards
base, suboblique, 1-1-1 -9 cm. long, apex up to 6 mm. diam.
Seeds often 9 mm. long. (Bolus Herbarium, No. 18,373.) —
G. J. Lewis.
Plate 744. — Fig. 1, corm and leaves, reduced; 2, flower spike, reduced ;
3, flower laid open.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
Plate 745.
WATSONIA PiLLANSii.
Eastern Province.
Ikidaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Mill. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia Pillansii L. Bolvs in Ann. Bolus Herb, vol, iii. p. 75.
This species is closely related to Watsonia Beatricis (Plate
744), but although the colouring is very beautiful and very
similar, it does not make so fine a display, as there are fewer
flowers open at one time, the flowers themselves having
narrower and less spreading segments. In addition, it differs in
having three small staminodes at the base of the cylindrical
part of the perianth-tube, and the flowering period is distinct,
W. Beatricis flowering during the summer months, and
W. Pillansii during the autumn and early winter.
The locality given in the Annals of the Bolus Herbarium
is not correct, as this species occurs farther east, from Port
Ehzabeth to the Transkei, the plant figured here having been
collected in Kentani by Miss Alice Pegler in 1913, and has
flowered in the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch,
every year since then.
Description : — Plant up to 2 m., usually 1-25 m. high.
Corm depressed-globose. Leaves 4 or 5 basal, linear, hghtly
veined, margin scarcely conspicuously thickened, 70 cm. to
1*1 m. long, up to 2-5 cm. broad. Inflorescence a simple,
dense spike, up to 37 cm. long. Bract oblong, obtuse, 1*7-
2*7 cm. long, up to 1*2 cm. broad. Bracteoles joined to apex,
acute, 1*9 cm. long. Perianth about 7*3 cm. long, tube 5 cm.
long, basal part 2 mm., upper part 1 cm. diam., segments
scarcely patent, oval, outer 1*1 cm. broad, inner 1*3 cm. broad.
Staminodes 3, 1’2 cm. long, apex scarcely free from perianth.
Stamens 6*5 cm. long, free part of filament 3-9 cm. long, anther
1 cm. long. Style 5*3 cm. long, primary branches 1-1*2 cm.
long, secondary 5-6 mm. long. Capsule cylindrical, rather
narrow towards base, 2-3 cm. long, apex 1 cm. diam. Seed
subtriangnlar, oblique, 7 mm. long. (National Botanic
Gardens, No. 241/13, in Bolus Herbarium.) — G. J. Lewis.
Plate 745. — Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; 2, corm; 3, flower laid open;
4, gynaecium ; 6, ovary ; 6, ripe capsules ; 7, seed.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
Plate 746.
WATSONIA KNYSNANA.
Cape Province.
Lridaoeae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Mill. : Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsoma knysnana L. Bolus in 8. A. Gard. and Country Life,
vol. XX. p. 63 (1930).
The Knysna Division, which has a mild climate and fairly
large average rainfall during the year, is clearly one which is
very favourable to the genus Watsonia. In addition to the
species figured here, there are about six other species, or
possibly more, occurring in the Knysna and the two neigh-
bouring Divisions, George and Uniondale. This species is
related to the group to which W. longifolia (Plate 741),
W. Beatricis (Plate 744) and W. Pillansii (Plate 745) belong.
It differs from the others, however, in having bracts and
bracteoles which distinctly diverge from the flowering axis,
and which, like the leaves, are shiny at the base or all over when
in bud, as if polished with oil.
The accompanying Plate was prepared by Miss Page from
plants which flowered at Kirstenbosch in January 1925, the
corms having been sent there the previous year by Mrs. Willis.
Description : — Leaves 3 basal, 44, 46 and 40 cm. long,
2 cm. broad, margins pale yellow, scarcely thickened, mid-
vein slightly thickened, others numerous, nearly invisible;
cauHne 6, imbricating or 2 upper internodes exserted 2-2*4
cm., 44-4*5 cm. long, sheaths up to 17 cm. long. Inflorescence
2-3-branched, terminal axis 30 cm. long, flowers ascending,
10 or 11 open together. Bracts imbricating, convex, obtuse,
diverging from stem, lower part herbaceous, upper half
membranous, 2*5-l*5 cm. long. Bracteoles 1*9-1*5 cm. long,
diverging from stem. Perianth up to 7 cm. long, tube 8 mm.
diam. at apex, 4*5 cm. long, filiform part 2 cm. long, segments
obtuse, outer up to 1*1, inner 1-3 cm. broad. Stamens arcuate,
reaching a little over half-way up segments. Stigma up to
5 mm. long, nearly reaching apex of segments. Ovary
broadening at top, 5-6 mm. long, 3-4 mm. diam. (National
Botanic Gardens, No. 382/24, in Bolus Herbarium.) — G. J.
Lewis.
Plate 746. — Fig. 1 , plant, much reduced ; 2, flower laid open ; 3, stigma.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
E. Smith del.
Plate 747.
WATSONIA Versfeldii.
Cajpe Province.
Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Mill. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia Versfeldii Mathews et L. Bolus in Ann. Bolus Herb.
vol. iii. p. 139.
Out of the seventy species of Watsonia described, the species
figured here can easily be distinguished as the perianth-
segments are the longest in the genus, and, in addition, the
perianth-tube, for its length, is very slender. It is named
after Mr. W. Versfeld, who found some corms growing on his
farm on the mountains near Piquetberg, and introduced it into
the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch, in 1916, where
it has flowered in October and November every year. It is a
graceful garden plant, with its large, laxly spreading flowers
and bright, rather transparent colouring.
Pure white Watsonias are not common, and the white
variety of W. Versfeldii, which differs only in its colour, can
easily be distinguished from the one or two other white species.
In appearance this species most closely resembles W. 'pyrami-
data {rosea), but it differs in having larger flowers with longer
segments, the stamens arcuate and in other details.
Description : — Plant up to 1*65 m. high. Corm
depressed-globose, 2-5 cm. long, 5 cm. diam., tunics of soft
fibres below, upper fibres thicker and coarser. Leaves 7 basal,
ensiform, up to 85 cm. long, 5 cm. broad, veins inconspicuous ;
2 cauline, ventricose, shortly imbricating, lower up to 41 cm.
long, sheath 15 cm. long, upper 13 cm. long, usually without
any free part. Inflorescence rather laxly many-flowered,
87 cm. long, internodes l’3-2 cm. long, branching in lower
half, branches erect or sub-erect. Bract obtuse, upper half
membranous, 1*6 cm. long. Bracteoles joined almost to apex,
free part 2 mm. long, as long as bract. Perianth up to 10 cm.
long, tube marked with purple inside, at first erect, then
decurving, filiform part 2-6 cm. long, scarcely 2 mm. diam.,
cylindrical part 3 cm. long, mouth 8 mm. ^am., segments
obtuse, 4*4 cm. long, outer oblong, 1-2 cm. broad, inner
shghtly undulate or crisped, 1*5 cm. broad. Stamens arcuate,
reaching half-way up segments, filament 2-5 cm. long, anther
white, soon becoming purple, 1-1 cm. long. Style shghtly
exceeding stamens, branches 5 mm. long, stigma 2-5 mm.
long. Caj)sule cylindrical, up to 2-5 cm. long, often 2-2*3 cm.
long, 0*8-1 cm. ^am. Seed 1-1*5 cm. long, the ^^^ng 8 mm.
long. (National Botanic Gardens, No. 2671/16, in Bolus
Herbarium.) — G. J. Lewis.
Plate 747. Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; 2, corm, reduced; 3, flower
laid open; 4, capsules; 5, seed.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
i
Plate 748.
WATSONIA MARGINATA.
Cape Province.
Ikidaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Mill. ; Gard. Diet. ed. vii (1759) ; Benih. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant.
vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia marginata Ker in Bot. Mag. t. 608.
It is not surprising to find Watsonia marginata represented
among the early figures of South African Iridaceae grown in
Europe, for it is an exceedingly lovely plant with its handsome
foliage, its stately height of up to nearly 7 feet, its slender stem
and wealth of mauve or mauve-pink fiowers. The terminal
portion of the spike, in cultivation, may bear as many as thirty
flowers, and when these have spent their beauty, ten or more
lateral spikes may be developed down the stem to carry on the
long flowering-period of this delectable species. It is one of
the deciduous Watsoniae^ and begins to flower in October,
reaching its best in November. The name, marginata^ refers
to the thickened margin of the leaves, which is more con-
spicuous in the dried state.
The subgenus, Neuberia, to which this species belongs,
comprises those which have the upper part of the perianth-
tube funnel-shaped, contrasting with the cyhndrical shape
found in Eu- Watsonia. The lower part of the tube in both
these groups is cylindrical, but very much more slender than
the rest of the tube, there being a contraction at the point
where the stamens are inserted. This lower portion is usually
described as the filiform or thread-like part of the tube.
With its erect stamens equally disposed in the centre of
the flower, as well as in the shape of the perianth, W. mar-
ginata strongly resembles Ixia, a genus which it also seems to
mimic somewhat in other and lesser respects. It is interesting
to note that staminodes, which very rarely occur in Iridaceae,
are found here as in several species of the Eu- Watsoniae.
A native of the south-western districts, this species has
been recorded from the Cape district (Kanonberg), the Paarl
district (Groot Drakenstein), the Caledon and Malmesbury
districts, and from the Calvinia district (near Nieuwoudtville)
— the last being perhaps the most northerly station for a
Watsonia in the south-western area ; for the genus appears to
be entirely unrepresented in the Karroo and the western
districts. The small-flowered variety comes from the Cedar-
bergen in the Clanwilliam district.
The plant figured was one of many which flowered at
Kirstenbosch in October 1923 from corms collected at Groot
Drakenstein and sent to the National Botanic Gardens by
Mr. L. Baker.
Desceiption : — Plant usually 1-60 to 1-80 m. high. Corm depressed-
globose, the outer tunics cancellate, composed of coarse fibres, up to 7 cm.
diam. Stem terete, pohshed, 4 to 7 mm. in diam. Basal leaves 3 to 4,
ensiform, acuminate, closely veined, the margins thickened, 45 to 80 cm.
long, 4 to 6 mm. broad; cauline leaves 3, entirely ensheathing the stem.
Inflorescence many-fiowered, elongated, the terminal spike finally 30 cm.
long or more, the lateral spikes numerous, 5 to 20 cm. long. Bracts herb-
aceous in the middle, membranous on the sides, the membranes finally
spUt up into fibres, long-acuminate, 2 to 1 cm. long; bracteoles shorter,
united except for 2 to 3 mm. at the apex. Perianth 3-6 to 4-6 cm. long, the
filiform portion of the tube up to 1-3 cm. long, the funnel-shaped portion
very short ; segments oval-oblong, obtuse or the outer abruptly acute and
up to 1-1 cm., the inner up to 1-3 cm., broad. Stamens equilateral, reaching
to about three-quarters of the perianth-segment, the filaments erect, con-
nivent round the style, the anthers more or less spreading, up to 1-1 cm. long.
Staminodes small, white. Stigmas reaching to about the middle of the
perianth-segments, 2 mm. long. Ovary 4 mm. long. Capsule globosely
obovate, obtusely angled, up to 1-2 cm. long. (National Botanic Gardens,
No. 4498/14.) — L. Bolus.
Plate 748. — Fig. 1, reduced sketch of plant; 2, corm and lower portion
of stem, reduced; 3, upper portion of leaf; 4, portion of terminal spike;
5, flower, cut and flattened — natural size; 6, portion of style and style-
branches and 2 stigmas x 3 ; 7, capsules ; 8, se^.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
E. Smith del.
Plate 749.
WATSONIA VITTATA.
Cape Province ?
Ikidaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsonia Mill. ; Gard. Diet. ed. vii (1759) ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant.
vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsonia vittata Mathews et L. Bolus in Ann. Bolus Herb. vol. iv. p. 25.
Several plants of this distinct species flowered freely at
Kirstenbosch during November and December 1923, when the
drawing was made. Details of the origin of the plant were
unfortunately unobtainable, and it is hoped the publication
of this Plate may lead to the discovery of its geographical
distribution.
The uppermost of the three expanded flowers depicted
shows the arched stamens and style, with the stigmas still
unfolded, of a newly opened flower, and the two lower ones
their position and development in older flowers, all of which
usually obtains in Eu-Wadsonia, of which subgenus our species
also has the characteristic perianth. The stripe or vitta down
the middle of the perianth-segments accoimts for the specific
name, vittata.
It is among those of medium height in the genus and its
summer flowering-period makes it desirable in gardens for filling
the gap between spring and autumn. In both these seasons
as well as in summer Watsonia, if given full scope, will flourish
beyond the power and effectiveness of most other Iridaceae.
Description : — Plant usually 75-90 cm. high. Basal
leaves 4 to 5, the mid-rib and margins rather prominent, the
other veins very inconspicuous, up to 40 cm. long, T2-T9 cm.
broad ; cauline leaves 2, up to 29 cm. long, the blades 15-6 cm.
long. Inflorescence branched below, the terminal spike about
18-flowered, the lateral spikes 9- to 6-flowered, the flowers
erect-spreading. Bracts herbaceous, membranous at the apex
only, ovate-oblong, obtuse, polished, up to 2 cm. long,
hracteoles united almost to the apex, as long as the bracts or a
little shorter. Perianth 5-5-5 cm. long, the tube slender up
to 3 cm. long, about 5 to 6 mm. in diameter at the throat;
segments obtuse, the outer oblanceolate-oblong, up to 9 mm.
broad, the inner obovate-oblong, 1-2 cm. broad. Stamens
arcuate, reaching to the middle of the perianth-segment or
beyond, the anthers 7 mm. long. Style finally reaching the
apex of the perianth-segment, the stigmas up to 3 mm. long.
Ovary 7 mm. long. (Bolus Herbarium, No. 17,696.) — L. Bolus.
Plate 749. — Fig. 1, reduced sketch of plant; 2, upper part of leaf;
3, flower cut down the tube and flattened ; 4, portion style with branch and
stigmas, enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
'iJ*
i»iii>»ii.iiiigTO<wiiffl^
Plate 750.
WATSONIA Ardernei.
Cafe Province.
Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Watsokia Mill. ; Gard. Diet. ed. vii (1759) ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant.
vol. iii. p. 705.
Watsouia Ardernei Mathews et L. Bolus in Ann. Bolus Herb.
vol. iv. p. 25.
As far as our records go, this most interesting species has
never been found since its discovery in about the year 1886 by
Mr. H. K. Tredgold on the Roman’s River Farm in the
Tulbagh district. Growing in vlei ground among numerous
plants of the pink W. Wordsworthiana (Plate 742), a small
clump of “ a white variety ” arrested attention. Plants were
given to Mr. H. M. Arderne, and from his famous garden were
generously distributed far and wide, until this species became,
in cultivation, the best known of all the Watsoniae. In
florists’ catalogues it was listed as W. Ardernei for many years
before the species was actually described and published.
In more recent years albino-forms of Watsonia rosea and
Watsonia Versfeldii (Plate 747) have appeared, and the latter
at least has persisted in cultivation. It may be that some
day a coloured form of W. Ardernei may be produced. Mean-
while it remains one of our whitest flowers; for even the
anthers are only a pale yellow in the early stages. The funnel-
shape of the upper part of the perianth-tube places W.
Ardernei in the subgenus, Neuheria. The stamens are never
strictly arched, and very soon after the flower opens are
disposed at equal distances apart round the perianth- tube.
It flowers in October and November in South Africa,
fruiting in December, and at Kew it was flowering well during
September.
Description : — Plant usually 1-1 *5 m. high. Basal
leaves 4, up to 60 cm. long, 2*8 cm. broad ; cauline leaves up
to 7, the blades 22*5 to 10 cm. long, veins inconspicuous
except for the prominent mid-rib and margins. Inflorescence
copiously branched, the terminal spike 21 -flowered or more,
the lateral branches almost erect, 8 to 60 cm. long. Bracts
herbaceous, membranous at the apex, up to 1*5 cm. long;
bracteoles as long as the bracts or a little shorter. Perianth
5*5 to 7 cm. long, the tube 3*7 cm. long, the upper part funnel-
shaped, a httle longer than the lower fihform part, up to
1’7 cm. in diameter at the throat; segments oval, exterior
1-5 to 1-9 cm., interior 1-8 to 2-5 cm., broad. Stamens equi-
lateral or sometimes somewhat arched but distant from one
another, reaching a httle beyond the middle of the segment.
Stigmas reaching to about the middle of the perianth-segment,
up to 3 mm. long. Capsule cylindrical, flat at the apex, 2 to
3 cm. long, 0-8 to 1 cm. in diameter. (Bolus Herbarium,
No. 17,839.) — L. Bolus.
Plate 750. — Fig. 1, reduced sketch of plant; 2, upper portion of leaf;
3, flower cut and flattened ; 4, capsules ; 5, seed — natural size.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
751
C.Letty del.
3
Plate 751.
PTERYGODIUM hastattjm.
Cape Province, Orange Free State, Transvaal.
Orchtdaoeae. Tribe Opheydeae.
Pterygodium 8w. in Vet. Acad. Eandl. Stockh. vol. xxi. p. 217 ; Benth. et
Hook. fit. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 632.
Pterygodium hastatum Bolus in Journ. Linn. Soc. vol. xxv. pp. 117 et 208 ;
Dur. et Schinz Conspect. FI. Afr. vol. v. p. 117 ; Schlechter in Bull. Herb.
Boiss., S4r. 1, vol. 6, p. 809; Krdnzl. Orch. Gen. et Sp. vol. i. p. 857;
Rolfe in Dyer Flor. Gap. vol. v. sect. 3, p. 276.
The genus, Pterygodium, as understood in the “Flora
Capensis ” contains 12 or 13 species, all, except the one
species from Nyasaland, South African, occurring chiefly
in the south-western districts and extending eastwards
through the coastal regions to the Uitenhage district. The
four exceptions are our present species, P. hastatum, from the
Transkei, Orange Free State and Transvaal, P. leucanihum
from Tembuland and the Orange Free State, P. MacLoughlinii
from Griqualand East, and the httle-known P. Cooperi
recorded only from the Transkei. They are all terrestrial
glabrous herbs with yellow or green and white flowers, occa-
sionally touched with red near the apex. The name is
derived from a combination of the two Greek words for wing
and form, and means “ wing-like or anything that covers or
protects hke wings,” in reference to the hood-like or cowl-
shaped upper portion of the flower composed of the com-
paratively large petals which adhere to the odd sepal. It
should be noted that although this adherence is maintained
throughout the life of the flower, it is but a light attachment ;
for the petal can be lifted intact from the sepal, and the
perianth is actually composed of six free members, as in the
great majority of the South African Orchidaceae. An exactly
similar adherence is found in Disperis (see Plate 499, Fig. 5
and Fig. 7), but in the latter the lip ascends from the base up
the face of the column to its position under the hood, while
in Pterygodium a small petaloid portion is produced below
the point of attachment and is seen between the side sepals.
Another difference between these closely allied genera lies in
the spurred or pouched side sepals of Disperis, and it is
interesting to observe that in P. hastatum the side sepals,
besides being concave, have an appreciable pouch, thus
providing an example which strengthens the relationship of
the two genera.
The specific name alludes to the hastate or dagger-shaped
form of the upper part of the lip with its spear-like tapering
middle lobe.
The plant figured was collected by Dr. E. E. Galpin “ in
a moist grassy neck above the Columbia ]\Iine, Pilgrim’s Rest
in Feb. 1937.” It is the first Pterygodium to be figured in this
work.
Description ; — Plant 20 cm. high. Leaves 4, the lowest 2 sheath-like,
1-4 to 3 cm. long; the third leaf almost erect, clasping at base, the blade
oval-linear, subacute, 10 cm. long, 2-2 cm. broad in the middle ; uppermost
leaf sheathing in the lower part, acuminate, 6 cm. long. Raceme rather
densely 10-fl., flowers ascending. Bracts more or less clasping the ovary,
acuminate, 1-5 to 0-8 cm. long. Pedicels 2 mm. long. Odd sepal oval,
concave, hooded at the apex, 7 mm. long; side sepals spreading, obUquely
ovate, acuminate, concave, slightly saccate, 8 mm. long. Petals almost
semiorbicular, the free margin undulate and crenulate, excavate near the
apex, very shortly clawed, 1 cm. long. Lip somewhat square in the petaloid
portion when flattened, crenulate or lacerulate, 3 mm. long, the fleshy
appendix 6 mm. long, bearing on the face of the lower half 2 conspicuous
flaps, in the upper half 3-lobed, the middle lobe tapering upwards, incurved
at the apex, much longer than the obtuse side lobes. Column short.
Ovary 5 to 8 mm. long. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 22,852.) —
L. Bolus.
Plate 751. — Fig. 1, odd sepal; 2, side sepal; 3, petal; 4, petaloid
portion of Up ; 5, column and Up, side view — enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
y s2
A.M.Tu^wen del.
Plate 752.
SCHIZODIUM MODESTUM.
Cafe Province.
Oechidaceae. Tribe Ophkydeae.
ScHizoDiiTM Lindl. Gen. et Sp. Orch. p. 358 ; BentJi. et Hook. fil. Gen. Plant.
vol. iii. p. 631.
Schizodium modestum L. Bolus sp. nov.
Planta 15-19 cm. alta. Folia basaUa 5, 2 inferiora ad vaginas reducta,
cetera patentia, laminis parte superiore orbicularibus vel late ovaUbus, parte
inferiore in unquem angustatis, basi ddata amplectentiaque, 1-5-2 cm. longa ;
caulina 3, 2 superiora reducta, 1-2-1 cm. longa. Racemus laxe 3-5-fl.
Bracteae erectae, basi amplectentes, ovatae, obtusae vel acutae, 1 -5-0-5 cm.
longa. Pedicelli erecti vel suberecti, gracilLimi, 0-8-1 -4 cm. longi. Sepalum
impar adscendens, tumque calcare fere horizontali, vel porrectum, calcare
adscendente, subcuciiUatum, oblongum, acuminatum, calcare basi con-
spicue constricto, profunde sulcato, itaque apice bilobulato, 0-8-1 cm. longum,
calcare dimidium laminae fere aequante ; sepala lateraUa porrecta, obbque
linearia, acuminata, 0-8-1 cm. longa. Petala suboblonga, apice inaequaliter
biloba, lobo anteriore angustiore et posteriore circa duplo longiore, antice
in lobum semiorbicularem integrum dilatata, 5-6 mm. longa. Lahellum
manu complanatum parte inferiore panduriforme, parte superiore sub-
ulatum vel rostratum, 0-9-1 cm. longum. BostelU brachia elongata, superne
divergentia. Anthera horizontalis.
Cape Pkovince : — Somerset West distr. ; near De Beer’s Dynamite
Factory, July 1915, A. T. Prentice in Bolus Herbarium 13,900.
The wiry polished brown stems of Schizodium and its very
slender habit of growth give this genus a particular charm
and make it unique among South African Orchids. Bending,
sometimes in fairly wide curves, sometimes in mere ripples,
the stem (or scape) “ appears to afford a maximum of strength
with a minimum of resistance to the wind on the wind-swept
plains where these plants usually grow.” Another distin-
guishing character of the genus is in the structure of the lip.
There is the basal erect portion which is concave ; then comes
a constriction, more or less pronounced, before the second
concave portion is directed forward, variously adorned with
markings in a contrasting colour; and finally the beak-like
apical part which is deflexed and usually more intensely
coloured than the rest of the flower. By reason of the con-
striction the lower portion of the lip when flattened becomes
panduriform or fiddle-shaped.
All the nine species comprising the genus occur in the
south-western districts, one of them extending northwards
through Clan william to the Vanrhynsdorp district and two
eastwards to Port Elizabeth. The present species is most
nearly allied to S. ohliquum Lindl., and differs in having
more acuminate sepals, minutely spotted or flecked with
brownish-red on a ground-colour of grey, a relatively shorter
spur (only about half the length of the limb of the sepal),
and the anticous basal lobe of the petal with a quite entire
margin. The specific name alludes to the inconspicuous
colouring of the flower.
The plant figured was collected by i\Ir. A. T. Prentice in
the Reserve of De Beer’s Djuiamite Factory, near Somerset
West, in July 1915.
Description : — Plant 15 to 19 cm. high. Leaves basal 5, the lower 2
reduced to sheaths, the rest spreading, the blades orbicular or broadly oval
in the upper part, narrowed into a claw in the lower part, dilated and
clasping at base, 1-5 to 2 cm. long, the claw about as long as expanded
portion; cauline leaves 3, the upper 2 reduced, 1-2 to 1 cm. long. Raceme
laxly 3- to 5-fl. Bracts erect, cla.sping at base, ovate, obtuse or acute, 1-1 to
0-5 cm. long. Pedicels erect or suberect, very .slender, 0-8 to 1-4 cm. long.
Odd sepal ascending with the spur nearly horizontal, or porrect with the
spur ascending, slightly hooded, oblong, acuminate, the spur conspicuously
constricted at the base, deeply sulcate so that the apex appears bilobulate,
0-8 to 1 cm. long, the spur about half as long as the limb ; side sepals porrect,
obliquely linear, acuminate, 0-8 to 1 cm. long. Petals suboblong, unequally
lobed at the apex, the anterior lobe narrower and about twice as long as the
posterior, dilated anticously at the base, the lobe semiorbicular, entire, 5 to
6 mm. long. Lip when flattened panduriform in the lower part, subulate
or rostrate in the upper part, 0-9-1 cm. long. Anns of the rostellum elongated,
diverging upwards. Anther horizontal. — L. Bolus.
Plate 752. — Fig. 1, flower; 2, odd sepal, front view; 3, do., back view;
4, side sepal; 5, petal; 6, lip — X 2; 7, column and petals, front view;
8, column and lip, side view — X 4; 9, column, front view; 10, do., side
view; 11, poUinium — enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
!
i
753
■ C.L etty del.
Plate 753.
ADENIUM COETANEUM.
Tropical Africa.
Apocykaoeae. Tribe Echitideae.
Adenium, B. S. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 722.
Adenium coetaneum Stapfin FI. Trop. Afr. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 227.
Adenium coetaneum, figured on the accompanying plate,
somewhat resembles the South African species A. multiflorum
which is illustrated on Plate 16, but differs in the colour of
the flowers. Our specimen was collected by Major J. Steven-
son Hamilton, the Warden of the Kruger National Park, at
Juba in Somaliland, and differs from the description of the
species in having the cymes more than 2-flowered. From
the records given in the Flora of Tropical Africa it is not an
uncommon species.
Like several other species of the genus it has a swollen
stem and succulent branches and would make a worthy
addition to the rock garden. The large swollen stems found
in the genus are also found in other species belonging to
quite unrelated families. For example, some species of
Pelargonium, Cissus, and Cotyledon have a similar habit of
growth, and when such plants are not flowering or in a leafless
state it is difficult to distinguish them.
We have found that the South African species of the
genus are easy to establish in the garden and the rather
handsome flowers make them quite attractive.
Description : — Stem from a thick tuberous base, varying
from 4-5 cm. diameter at the base to 8 mm. diameter in the
ultimate branches, glabrous. Leaves clustered near the apices
of the ultimate branches, 3-6 cm. long, 1-2 cm. broad,
oblanceolate, obtuse, shortly apiculate, densely and shortly
pubescent above and beneath so as to have a velvety feel.
Flowers dark pink, clustered with the leaves at the ends of
the ultimate branches. Calyx-tube 3 mm. long, densely
pubescent; lobes 6*5 mm. long, lanceolate, subacute, densely
pubescent. Corolla-tube 3 cm. long, 3 mm. diameter and
cylindric at the base, then suddenly widened to 9 mm.
(hameter and tubular-campanulate above, densely pubescent
without, hairy within along definite bands; lobes 1*4 cm.
long, 1*2 cm. broad, obovate, with a short hairy apiculus,
scantily pubescent on the back. Filaments 2 mm. long,
flattened, pilose; anthers tailed at the base, with a linear
pilose appendage 2 cm. long. Style 1 cm. long, cylindric,
glabrous ; stigma subglobose, with a frill at the base.
(National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 22,703.)
Plate 753. — Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; 2, a stamen;
3, top of style with stigma.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
£3
754
s
\V-
M.E. Connell del.
Plate 754.
CRASSULA ARGYEOPHYLLA.
Transvaal, Swaziland, Rhodesia.
Ceassulaoeae.
Ceassula Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Oen. Plant, vol. i. p. 657.
Crassula argyrophylla Diels ex Schonl. and Bak. f. in Journ. Bot. 1903,
p. 290.
This species was first collected by Dr. F. Wilms in the
Lydenburg district of the Transvaal in the year 1888, and
was again collected by Mr. D. F. GilfiUan near Johannesburg
in February 1899. The published description of the species
in 1902 was based on the above two gatherings.
The species is not uncommon in mountainous parts of the
Transvaal and has been collected on several occasions within
recent years. It is one of the characteristic succulents on
the hills and mountains in the neighbourhood of Johannes-
burg and Pretoria, often being found on rocky outcrops more
or less trailing over the rocks, varying from a few inches to a
foot in height. In the National Herbarium, Pretoria, is a
specimen, said to be collected at Bruintjies Hoogte in the
Somerset East district, with a note by Dr. S. Schonland that
he is inclined to query the locality though he has seen a
similar specimen stated to be from Aliwal North. The
accompan5dng plate was prepared from a specimen collected
by Miss M. E. Connell at Breedt’s Nek on the Magaliesberg
range.
Description : — ^A succulent plant about 19 cm. high.
Stems brown, 0*8-1 cm. diameter. Leaves a dullish green,
sessile, 3-6 cm. long, 1 *5-4*3 cm. broad, usually obovate or
younger leaves sometimes oblong-obovate, rounded or very
obtuse at the apex, with entire ciliate margins, papillate-
pubescent on both surfaces. Inflorescence terminal, consist-
ing of a number of cymes on a sohtary peduncle. Peduncle
7-10 cm. long, with a pair of oblong bracts 4-9 mm. long
about the middle and a smaller pair just below the inflores-
cence, densely pubescent. Bract and bracteoles 3-3*5 mm.
long, linear to linear-oblong, ciliate, papillate-hirsute on the
back. Calyx-lobes 1*5 mm. long, lanceolate, obtuse, ciliate,
papillate-hirsute on the back. Corolla 6 mm. diameter above
when expanded; petals 3*5 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, hnear-
oblong, with a small mucro at the apex below the tip, very
finely cartilaginous-cihate on the margins, minutely papillate
on the upper half on the back. Filaments 1*25 mm. long,
linear; anthers, 0*25 mm. long. Car'pels 2*5 mm. long, with
several ovules in each carpel. Squamae 0*75 mm. long,
slightly less than 0*25 mm. broad, oblong, truncate. (National
Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 24,799.)
Plate 764. — Fig. 1, a single flower; 2, median longitudinal section of a
flower ; 3, calyx ; 4, corolla w*ith stamens ; 6, a single petal ; 6, a carpel ;
7, cross-section of a carpel ; 8, a single scale.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
755
-LiUi.
M.E. Connell del.
Plate 755.
STREPTOCARPUS Rexh.
Cape Province, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal.
Gesneeiaceae. Tribe Cyetandreae.
Streptooaepus Lindl. ; Benth. et Hook. f. 0&n. Plant, vol. ii. p. 1023.
Streptocarpus Rexii (Hook.) Lindl. in Bot. Reg. t. 1173 (1828); FI. Cap.
vol. iv. sect. 2, p. 444 (1904).
Didymocarpus Rexii Hook. Exotic Flora, vol. iii. t. 227 (1827).
On plate No. 666 of this work we included a plate as S.
Rexii Lindl. that was collected in the Barberton district of
the Transvaal. The name 8. Rexii was accepted in the
broad sense so as to include forms that differed from the
typical form from the type locality. Subsequently we have
been able to examine a larger range of hving plants and are
now of the opinion that the plant figured on plate No. 666 is
8. cyaneus S. Moore and the same species as figured in the
Botanical Magazine on t. 8521. While the two species are
closely related, 8. cyaneus may be distinguished from true
8. Rexii in having a shorter corolla and a relatively wider
throat.
From the Barberton district of the Transvaal we have
received plants that are either forms of 8. Rexii or undescribed
species related to 8. Rexii. This group of related plants
(including 8. cyaneus) that extend from Knysna through the
eastern districts to the Drakensberg range in the Transvaal
need further investigation before their affinities can definitely
be settled. That the distribution-range of a species should
extend from Knysna to the mountains of the north-eastern
Transvaal is not so surprising, as we have records of other
species with a similar distribution. Mr. B. L. Burtt, of Kew,
who was good enough to examine some of our specimens,
writes : “I am forced to admit, rather reluctantly I confess,
that, Davison 118 from Berhn, Godwan River, Barberton
district is good S. Rexii. At least I can see no difference in
the dried specimens, and it is not for want of trying, as I had
hoped that Rexii would prove to be replaced by S. cyaneus in
Swaziland and the eastern Transvaal.”
The type of S. Rexii is the figure in Hooker’s Exotic Flora
(vol. iii. t. 227) which was drawn from a plant raised from
seed collected by Bowie at Knysna between the years 1817-
1822. The plant we figure on the accompanying plate was
collected by IVIr. G. W. Reynolds five miles from Port St.
Johns in Pondoland, and, though of a darker colour and
having a somewhat broader Hmb than the type-iUustration,
can scarcely be more than a minor form of S. Rexii. It was
found growing on almost vertical rock ledges in mossy shady
places. The specimen flowered in Pretoria at the Division of
Plant Industry in April 1939.
Desceiption : — A herbaceous acaulescent plant. Leaves varying much
in size on same plant according to age, 8-27 cm. long, 2-8 cm. broad,
lanceolate, obtuse, narrowing at the base, dark green above, paler beneath,
with the midrib very prominent (about 5 mm. in diameter at base of
larger leaves) and the lateral veins prominent, crenate and ciliate on the
margins, semi-scabrid above with bulbous-based hairs, somewhat coarsely
pubescent beneath. Peduncle 13-18 cm. long, 3 mm. diameter, pubescent.
Flowers usually solitary, sometimes 2 on a peduncle. Calyx-lobes 9 mm.
long, 1 mm. broad at the base, obtuse, pUose-setose from brownish bulbous
bases. Corolla-tube 6 cm. long, 1-7 cm. diameter above, 4 mm. diameter
below, glandular-pilose without and within the mouth, pale blue with dark
maroon and pink lines in the throat and mouth ; Hmb sub-bilabiate, 5 cm.
diameter; lobes 1-7 cm. long, 2 cm. broad, somewhat ovate, rounded above.
Free 'portion of filaments 1-1 cm. long, glandular-hairy especially near the
apex, kneed at jimction of portion of filament adnate to the corolla-tube ;
staminodes about 3 mm. long ; anthers 4 mm. long, cohering by their faces,
with a pale blue band on the back of the thecae. Ovary 4 cm. long, 1-5 mm.
diameter, cylindric, 2-chambered, pubescent ; style a short continuation of
the ovary bearing a fleshy ring as the stigma. (National Herbarium,
Pretoria, No. 24,802.) — E. P. P.
Plate 755. — Fig. 1, calyx; 2, median longitudinal section of corolla;
3, portion of corolla showing stamens and stammodes ; 4, pistil ; 5, stigma ;
6, cross section of ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
M.E. Connell del.
Plate 756.
STREPTOCARPUS Meybri.
Cape Province.
Gesneriaceab. Tribe Cyrtandreae.
Streptocarpus Lindl. ; Benth. et Hook. /. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 1023.
Streptocarpus Meyeri B. L. Burtt in Kew Bull. 1939, 75,
S. parviflorus E. Mey. \Zwei Pflanzengeogr. Docum. 152 : 1843 — nomen
nudum] ex C. B. Clarke in DC. Mon. Phan. vol. v. p. 152 (1883), et in
Dyer, FI. Cap. vol. iv, sect. 2, p. 445 (1904) — ^not of Hook. f.
This species was first mentioned, by name only, as
Streptocarpus parviflorus by E. Meyer in the year 1843,
having been collected by Drege between the “ Omsamwubo
and Omsamcaba ” rivers. The first description under this
name, however, refers to another species, and it is to this
that the name 8. parviflorus must be applied.* The species
now illustrated was caUed 8. parviflorus in “ Flora Capensis,”
but has now been renamed 8. Meyeri (see Kew Bulletin, 1939,
73 for full discussion of the nomenclature).
Our plate was prepared from specimens that flowered aj;
the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, in April 1939. The
original plants were collected by Mr. J. Erens on the southern
slopes of mountains near Grahamstown, in shady places
among grass in rich loamy soil.
As will be seen from the figure, the species is an exception-
ally delicate and graceful one and well worthy of the attention
of horticulturists.
Description : — An acaulescent plant. Leaves 5-13 cm.
long, 3-6 cm. broad, ovate, ovate-oblong, or oblong, obtuse,
crenate and ciliate on the margins, rugose and hispid above,
almost villous beneath and with the midrib and primary
laterals very prominent. Peduncle up to 20 cm. long, bear-
* S. parviflorus Hook. f. in Bot. Mag. t. 6636 (1882). 8. luteus C. B.
Clarke in DC. Mon. Phan. vol. v. p. 153 (1883).
ing usually 4 flowers, about 2 mm. diameter, pubescent.
Peduncle 5-7 mm. long, glandular-hairy. Sepals 3 mm. long,
lanceolate, glandular-hairy. Corolla sub-bilabiate; tube 1*5
cm. long, 4 mm. diameter, glandular-hairy without, hairy
within ; lobes 6 mm. long, 6 mm. broad ; the 2 lower some-
what ovate and with entire margins ; the 3 upper somewhat
obovate with shghtly irregular margins. Stamens at the base
of the corolla-tube; filaments 5 mm. long, glabrous; anthers
connate, 2 mm. long; staminodes below the fertile stamens,
1-5 mm. long, linear. Ovary 9 mm. long, about 1 mm.
diameter below, tapering above, 1 -chambered, with many
ovules on 2 placentae which protrude from the walls, some-
times the 2 placentae joined making the ovary 2-chambered,
densely glandular-hairy ; stigma a fleshy ring, minutely glan-
dular-hairy. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 24,801.) —
E. P. P.
Plate 756. — Fig. 1, calyx; 2, longitudinal section of corolla; 3, pistil;
4, stigma ; 5, 6, cross-sections of ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
75 7
C.Lett.y del.
Plate 757.
HUERNIA HYSTRix.
Transvaal, Zululand.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.
Hueenia R. Br., Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.
Huernia hystrix N. E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 911.
In previous volumes we have figured several species of
the genus Huernia though this is the first opportunity we
have had of illustrating H. hystrix. When the specimen was
first collected in the year 1932 by Dr. H. G. Schweickerdt at
Mokeetsi in the northern Transvaal, it was thought to be a
species allied to H. hystrix. Since then the publication The
Stapelieae by Messrs. White and Sloane has appeared, from
which it is evident that the species is a very variable one, so
much so, that it has not been possible to affix varietal names
to the many forms that have been collected. In the circum-
stances, therefore, we feel more justified in regarding our plant
merely as a form of that species. From typical H. hystrix it
differs in the depth, width, and shape of the corolla-tube;
the colour, shape, position, and size of the outer-corona ; the
shape and venation (5 veins instead of 3) of the corolla-lobes.
The specimen collected by Dr. Schweickerdt was grown
and bloomed at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, in
February 1933.
Description : — Stem clear green, 7 cm. high, slender,
5-angled, glabrous, with prominent teeth. Teeth 4 mm. long
and approximately 1 cm. apart, hardening into spines from a
conical base. Peduncle hardly evident, arising at the base of
the young shoots. Flowers in cymes, developing in succes-
sion. P^icel 4 cm. long, spreading and bending downwards,
glabrous, with a narrow-hnear subulate bract about 8 mm.
long at the base. Sepals 7 mm. long, lanceolate, long-
acuminate, glabrous. Corolla 4 cm. diameter, subpentagonal.
mottled with red and rough on the outside, glabrous; tube
7 mm. deep, 16 mm. diameter outside, constricted at the
mouth by the thickening of the tube, banded inside %\T.th
purple-brown stripes, with the mouth densely covered wdth
spotted subulate papillae varying from small lumps to 4 mm.
in length and with the longest massed on the rim of the tube
and spotted and banded vuth purple-brovTi ; lobes 10 mm.
long, 13 mm. broad, deltoid, prominently 5- veined on the
backs, sulphur yellow on the upper surface and spotted with
brown and thickly papillate with short spotted processes;
teeth alternating vdth the lobes 3 mm. long, acuminate.
Outer corona white, situated like an inverted basin on the
floor of the tube, shortly 5-lobed; outer lobes 1 mm. long,
2-5 mm. broad, rectangular, irregularly and bluntly 3-toothed;
inner lobes yellow, dotted on the upper part vith purple-
brown, 6 mm. long, slightly higher than the mouth of the
tube, much exceeding the staminal column, linear, with a
dorsal crest low down, spreading and expanded above into a
hoof-shaped portion that is spotted on the face. (National
Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 15,273.)
Plate 757. — Fig. 1, a calyx-lobe; 2, median section through corolla
showing the corona; 3, back view of flower showing the five veins on
corolla; 4, outer corona; 6, inner corona seen from above; 6, a lobe of
inner corona.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
758
C. Letty del.
Plate 758.
HUERNIA HisLOPn.
Southern Rhodesia.
Asclepiadacbab. Tribe Stapblieae.
Huernia R. Br., Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 784.
Huernia Hislopii Turrill in Eew Bulletin 1922, p. 30.
The species we figure on the accompanying plate is one of
the many hving succulents collected by G. van Son on
the Vernay-Lang Kalahari Expedition. The particular speci-
men illustrated was found on hills between Umvuma and
Fort Victoria and was grown and flowered at the Division of
Plant Industry, Pretoria. The photograph (Fig. 1006) repro-
duced by White and Sloane in The Stapelieae is from the
same collection, though the stems are more robust than in
the specimen we figure; our specimen agrees more with
Fig. 1007 — a reproduction of a photograph taken by Mr. Carl
Luckhoff. The species was originally described by Dr. W. B.
Turrill from a specimen collected in Southern Rhodesia and
which flowered at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. H.
Hislopii is allied to H. barbata, which we figured on Plate 488,
and a comparison with this plate will illustrate the points of
difference between the two species.
DESCRLPTioisr : — rather dehcate succulent, about 9 cm.
high. Stems branched, 4*5-7 mm. in diameter, 5-angled, with
the angles obtuse and bearing teeth 2 mm. long. Flowers
sohtary. Pedicel 8 mm. long, terete. Calyx-lobes 6 mm. long,
ovate-lanceolate, long acuminate, glabrous. Corolla-tube 1*2
cm. long, 9 mm. diameter below, broadening out to 2 cm.
diameter above, covered with papillae within especially on
the narrow portion of the tube; lobes 1 cm. long, ovate,
acuminate. Outer-corona 7 mm. diameter, consisting of 5
black oblong bilobed lobes ; inner corona-lobes 3*5 mm. long.
lanceolate-linear, recurved at the apex, overtopping the
staminal column. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 20,156.)
2,
Plate 758. — Fig. 1, section of portion of corolla showing papillae;
corona.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
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C-Letty del.-
Plate 759.
ALOE AFFINIS.
Transvaal.
Liliaceae. Tribe Aeoineae.
Aloe Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Oen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 776.
Aloe affinis Berger in Engler, Pflanzenreich, IV. 38, iii. 2, p. 206.
We are indebted to Dr. F. Z. van der Merwe, not only for
the specimen we have illustrated and which he collected at
Schoeman’s Kloof in the Transvaal, but also for the interest-
ing account of the species as observed in the veld. On
Plate 342 we figured an Aloe as A. affinis, but according to
Dr. van der Merwe this is possibly a form of A. parvibracteata
Schonl. from the eastern Transvaal. A. affinis grows in the
folds of the Drakensberg in the eastern Transvaal at an
altitude of 4,000-5,000 feet above sea level. It is found from
Slaaihoek in the south to Marieps Mountain in the north, and
from Lydenburg in the west to Sabie in the east. Although
plentiful, it does not seem to establish very large colonies and
apparently favours a sandstone or quartzite soil formation.
It does not frequently grow under trees, but prefers grassy
slopes. The flowering period is from April to August or even
to September. The species is distinguished from its nearest
relative among the Saponariae {A. Greatheadii Schonl.) by its
more elongated racemes of large weU-formed fiowers of a
uniform bright pink colour, and by the usual (but not
invariable) absence of whitish maculae on the leaves. From
A. graciliflora Groenw. it differs by its freer branching and
from A. barbertoniae Pole Evans in its denser shorter and
usually more erect racemes.
To the south-east and east (Schagen), this Aloe may
gradually take on the characteristics of A. barbertoniae, and
round Ohrigstad it hybridises freely with A. longibracteata
Pole Evans (see Plate 299), which fiowers from July to
September. South of Ohrigstad is found a form of A. affinis
with longer racemes of smaller flowers. Near Brandclraai,
A. affinis crosses wdth a form of A. chimanimaniensis Christian
(see Plate 639), and about Marieps Mountain it resembles a
form of A. Greatheadii which grows not far off, while over
Manoutsa it seems to be continuous with the shorter-racemed
and more brightly coloured A. immaculata Pillans.
Description : — Stem short or absent. Leaves about 20,
in a widely spreading rosette, up to 40 cm. long, up to 12 cm.
broad at the base, sometimes dry at the apex, armed wdth
dark brown spines along the margins and often showdng a
brown horny ridge between the spines, slightly concave
above, convex below, rarely maculate but often showdng dark
longitudinal stripes. Inflorescence 50 cm. or more high,
branched about the middle, usually with about 6 branches.
Racemes up to 30 cm. long, only moderately lax, conical to
pjTamidal. Bracts short. Perianth bright pink, usually 3-5
cm. long, distinctly curved, sw'ollen and 9 mm. diameter
above the ovary, then constricted and widening to 8 mm.
diameter above; segments very slightly recurved. Anthers
just exserted. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 24,940.)
Plate 759. — Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
760
C.Letty del.
Plate 760.
CARALLUMA arenicola.
Cape Province.
Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.
Caballtjma R. Br. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. ii. p. 782.
Caralluma arenicola N. E. Br. in FI. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 883.
This somewhat rare species of Caralluma was collected by
the late Mr. G. J. de Wyn in one of the type locahties, viz.
the Prince Albert district. Specimens were grown and
flowered at the Division of Plant Industry in February 1937,
and from these specimens our plate was prepared. The
species belongs to a section of the genus characterised by
having the coroUa-lobes in. long, and this is the first
opportunity we have had to illustrate a species from this
particular group. Good photographs of specimens belonging
to the species are given by White and Sloane {The Stapelieae,
pp. 344-45), but this is the first occasion so far as we know
that a coloured illustration has been pubHshed.
Description : — Stems branching, 4-angled, 1*5-2 cm.
broad ; teeth on angles of stems acute, becoming blunt in the
older stems. Flowers fascicled near the base of the young
growths. Pedicel 3 mm. long. Sepals 2 mm. long, ovate-
lanceolate, acute. Corolla-tube greyish, with a band or
blotches of purple, minutely hairy with purple hairs on the
upper half, pustulate on the rim, 5 mm. long, 5 mm. diameter
above, campanulate, glabrous; lobes 1*1 cm. long, 3 mm.
broad at the base, strongly reflexed so that a narrow channel
is formed, acute, glabrous. Outer corona forming a basin-
shaped body, yellowish with purplish spots and blotches and
with each lobe minutely 2-toothed; inner lobes 1*5 mm. long,
0*5 mm. broad, hnear, obtuse, incumbent over the anthers.
(National Herbarium, Pretoria, No. 22,851.)
Plate 760. — Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of a flower; 2, a single
corolla-lobe ; 3, corona.
F.P.S.A., 1939.
INDEX TO VOLUME XIX
PLATE
Adenixbi coetaneum 753
Aloe aeeinis 759
Aloe Davyana var. subolieeka ..... 732
Aloe FRAMEsn 731
Aeoe stjpkafouata ....... 733
• Beownleea monophylla ...... 740
Cabatj.tjma abenicola ....... 760
Caealluma pkexnosa ....... 722
Cbassuea akgyrophylla ....... 754
Ckaterostigma WiLMsn ....... 730
Disa Begleyi ......... 736
Disa PiLLANsn ........ 737
Disa triloba ......... 738
Eulophta antennata ....... 728
'Euphorbia Wooun 723
Habenaria malacophylla ...... 725
Huernia Hisloph ........ 758
Huernia hystrix . . . . . . . .757
Lissochilus parviflorus ...... 739
• Neobakeria heterandra ...... 729
Pletygodium hastatum ....... 751
Polystachya zuluensis ....... 727
• Pterodiscus aurantiacus . . . . . .734
Schizodium: modestum ....... 752
Stapeua arenosa ........ 721
Stapelia Woodh 724
Streptocarpus Meyeri . . . . . . .756
• Streptocarpus Rexh . . . . . . .755
Watsonia Ardernei ....... 750
Watsonia Beatrices ....... 744
Watsonia bulbillieera ....... 726
Watsonia knysnana . . . . . . .746
Watsonia longieolia 741
Watsonia margin ata . . . . . . .748
Watsonia piLLANsn. ....... 745
Watsonia Verseeldh ....... 747
Watsonia vittata , . . . . . . .749
Watsonia Wilmaniae . . . . . . . 743
Watsonia Wordsworthiana ...... 742
Zantedeschia albomaculata 735
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