THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF
SOUTH AFRICA.

A MAGAZINE CONTAINING HAND-COLOURED FIGURES WITH DESCRIPTIONS
OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO SOUTH AFRICA.
EDITED BY
I. B. POLE EVANS, C.M.G., M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S.,
Chief, Division of Botany and Plant Pathology, Department of Agriculture, Pretoria;
and Director of the Botanical Survey of the Union of South Africa.
VOL. III.

The veld which lies so desolate and bare
Will blossom into cities white and fair,
And pinnacles will pierce the desert air,
And sparkle in the sun.
R. C. Macfie’s “Ex Unitate Vires.”

LONDON:
L. REEVE & CO., Ltd.,
6, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
SOUTH AFRICA:
THE SPECIALITY PRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA, Ltd.
P.O. BOX 3958, JOHANNESBURG; P.O. BOX 388, CAPETOWN.
1923

[All rights reserved.]
TO
SIR FRANK UMHLALI REYNOLDS,
OF
LYNTON HALL, UMDONI PARK, NATAL
WHOSE LOVE FOR GARDENING AND HORTICULTURE IS ONLY SURPASSED BY HIS
PUBLIC SPIRITED GENEROSITY, THIS VOLUME OF THE “FLOWERING PLANTS OF
SOUTH AFRICA” IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED.

Division of Botany, Pretoria,
August, 1923.

Plate 81.
CLEMATOPSIS stanleyi.

Transvaal. Tropical Africa.

Ranunculaceae. Tribe Clematideae.
Clematopsis, Bojer MS. ex Hutchinson in Kew Bulletin, 1920, p. 12.

Clematopsis Stanleyi, Hutchinson in Kew Bulletin, 1920, p. 21.
Clematis Stanleyi, Harv. in Harv. and Sond. Fl. Cap., vol. i. p. 2.

In the Botanical Magazine (t. 7166) 1891, an excellent figure of this species was given with some critical notes by Sir Joseph Hooker on the taxonomic affinities of the species, and recently (Kew Bulletin, 1920) Mr. J. Hutchinson dealt more fully with the group represented by our plant. He has established Bojer’s MS. name Clematopsis, under which he describes 15 species of which only C. Stanleyi occurs within our limits. The separation of Clematopsis from Clematis is based on the aestivation of the sepals and for a full account of these differences the reader is referred to Mr. Hutchinson’s article. The chief interest in the genus is the fact that it forms a connecting link between the tribes Anemoneae and Clematideae, which were hitherto supposed to be sharply demarcated. It is confined to the ancient plateau of Africa and its continuation in Madagascar.

Clematopsis Stanleyi is a fairly common plant in parts of the Transvaal and has been recorded from the Pretoria, Witwatersrand, Waterberg, Middleburg Districts, and it extends into Rhodesia and Angola. In habit it is a small shrub 18 inches to 2 feet high and when in full bloom is a very pleasing object and well worth the attention of horticulturists. When in fruit the beauty of the plant is not entirely lost as the long white plumose styles stand out in sharp contrast to the surrounding vegetation.

The specimen figured here was collected by Miss S. Gower at Krugersdorp in February 1922.

Description:—A small shrub 45-60 cm. high. Branches ribbed, villous. Leaves opposite, 7-14 cm. long, bipinnate; the ultimate leaflets about 2 cm. long, pinnately lobed; lobes linear, acute, villous; petiole concave above, convex beneath, villous. Peduncle axillary and terminal, 3-8 cm. long, densely villous. Sepals 2 cm. long, 1·5 cm. broad, obovate, densely villous without and within. Filaments 8 mm. long, linear, pilose; anthers 4 mm. long. Style 1·2 cm. long, densely plumose. Fruits densely villous terminated by the persistent plumose style.

[Plate 81.]—Fig. 1, stamens, front and side view; Fig. 2, a single carpel; Fig. 3, fruits with the persistent styles.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

K. A. Lansdell del

Plate 82.
MIMETES hottentotica.

Cape Province.

Proteaceae. Tribe Proteeae.
Mimetes, Salisb.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 171.

Mimetes hottentotica, Phillips et Hutchinson, sp. nov. insignis et affinitate M. saxatili Phill. foliis late ellipticis, capitulis paucis stigmate excavato differt.

Rami tomentosi et sparse villosi. Folia 4·5-7·5 cm. longa, 2·2-3·5 cm. lata, elliptica, apice tridentata, dense pubescentia pilis sericeis. Capitula sessilia, 7·5 cm. longa, 8-12-flora, apice ramorum conferta. Involucri bracteae 3-seriatae, 1·7-2 cm. longae, 3-6 mm. latae, lanceolato-ovatae, lineares, vel lineari-lanceolatae, obtusae vel subacutae, villosae, ciliatae. Segmenta perianthii 3·2 cm. longa, linearia, paullo lata, villosa; limbus 6 mm. longus, obovatus, subacuminatus, apice obtusus, villosus. Antherae 2·5 mm. longae, apice obtusae. Squamae hypogynae 3 mm. longae, lineares, apice subacutae. Ovarium 1 mm. longum, villosum; stylus 6·5 mm. longus, glaber; stigma 4 mm. longum, obovoideum, apice obtusum, excavatum.

South Africa: Caledon Division. Hottentot’s Holland Mountains near Hangklip, T. P. Stokoe in National Herbarium, 1641.

Mr. T. P. Stokoe, to whom we are indebted for so many of the interesting plants figured in earlier plates of this work, has again contributed two exquisite species of Mimetes which are both undescribed. Unfortunately, it was not possible at the time to figure both plants, but we hope to publish a figure and description of the second species in our next volume. The genus, which is represented by nine species, falls into two well-defined groups, (a) those with an ovoid stigma (represented by M. capitulata, figured on Plate 58) and (b) those species with a linear stigma (represented by M. palustris, figured on Plate 36). Hitherto only two species of the first group were known, but these recent acquisitions from Mr. Stokoe increases this number to four.

The species figured in the accompanying plate was found on the Hottentot’s Holland Mountains S.E. of Kogelberg and was growing on the banks of a steep, fairly moist slope. When fresh, it is a most beautiful object, certainly one of the most handsome species of the genus. The styles are bright red, white just below the stigma, and the stigma brownish-black. It is characterised by the regular excavations on the surface of the stigma which appear to be receptacles for the pollen grains.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1641).

Description:—Branches minutely tomentose but also sparsely covered with long lax hairs. Leaves 4·5-7·5 cm. long, 2·2-3·5 cm. broad, elliptic, with a blunt 3-toothed callous apex, densely adpressed-pubescent with silky hairs. Heads sessile, 7·5 cm. long including the styles, 8-12-flowered, solitary in the axils of the leaves at the ends of the branches. Involucral-bracts 3-seriate; the outer 1·7 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, lanceolate-ovate, obtuse, villous without, long-ciliate; inner 2 cm. long, 3 mm. broad, linear or linear-lanceolate, sub-acute, villous without, long-ciliate. Receptacle villous. Perianth divided almost to the base; segments 3·2 cm. long, linear-filiform, slightly broadened at the base, villous; limb 6 mm. long, obovate, subacuminate, obtuse, villous. Anthers sessile, 2·5 mm. long, obtuse. Hypogynous scales 3 mm. long, linear subacute. Ovary about 1 mm. long, hairy at base; style 6·5 mm. long, cylindric, glabrous; stigma 4 mm. long, obovoid, obtuse, with several depressions on the sides.

[Plate 82.]—Fig. 1, a single head; Fig. 2, bracts; Figs. 3, 4, a single flower; Fig. 5, perianth-segment enlarged; Fig. 6, stigma enlarged.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

K. A. Lansdell del

Plate 83.
SENECIO medley-woodii.

Natal.

Compositae. Tribe Senecionideae.
Senecio, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 446.

Senecio Medley-Woodii, Hutchinson, sp. nov. succulenta caule crasso, foliis carnosis dentatis lanato-pubescentibus, capitulis speciosis flavis distincta.

Rami succulenti, purpurei, juniores lanati, demum glabri. Folia sessilia, 3·5-5 cm. longa, 1·5-3 cm. lata, obovata, breviter apiculata, basi cuneata, superne undulato-dentata, primum lanata, demum plus minusve glabra. Capitula racemoso-corymbosa, 13-14-flora, 19 cm. longa; pedunculi ultimi 3-6 cm. longi, lanati. Involucri bracteae 1·2-1·5 cm. longae, 3-6 mm. latae, lanceolatae ad elliptico-ovatae, obtusae, marginibus membranaceis, extra lanato-tomentosae. Receptaculum planum, 8 mm. latum, foveolatum. Flores radii flavi; limbus 1·5 cm. longus, 5 mm. latus, oblongus, 6-8-nervus, apice minute tridentatus; ovarium glabrum. Flores disci brunneo-flavi; pappus 1 cm. longus; corollae tubus 1·2 cm. longus, glaber. Achaenia glabra.

This is one of the shrubby species of Senecio with succulent stems found in Natal. In cultivation it makes an ornamental shrub having very large yellow-rayed heads. The species was first collected by the late Dr. Medley Wood at Murchison in Natal in 1884 (Wood 3065), and was brought to him from Krantzkloof in August 1915. Dr. Wood had an illustration made for vol. vii of the “Natal Plants,” but did not draw up a description, as specimens were sent to Kew for identification. The present illustration was made from a specimen which flowered in the garden of the Natal Herbarium. This species was the last which Dr. Medley Wood worked at the day before his death.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1604).

Description:—Branches succulent, woolly when young, at length becoming glabrous. Leaves sessile, 3·5-5 cm. long, 1·5-3 cm. broad above, obovate, shortly apiculate, cuneate at the base, with the margins more or less undulate and sometimes toothed in the upper half, woolly when young, at length becoming more or less glabrous. Inflorescence terminal, peduncled, 13-14-flowered, racemose-corymbose, 19cm. long; common peduncle 10 cm. long, woolly; ultimate peduncles 3-6cm. long, few-bracteate, woolly. Bracts 1·5-2cm. long, linear, obtuse, woolly. Involucral-scales 1·2-1·5cm. long, 3-6 mm. broad, lanceolate to elliptic-ovate, obtuse, with more or less membranous margins, woolly-tomentose without. Receptacle flat, 8mm. broad, honeycombed. Ray-flowers pale yellow. Corolla-tube 6mm. long, cylindric; limb 1·5cm. long, 5mm. broad, oblong, 6-8-nerved, minutely 3-toothed at the apex. Pappus 9mm. long; setae very minutely barbellate. Ovary 4mm. long, linear in outline, glabrous; style 8mm. long, cylindric, somewhat thickened at the base; lobes 2mm. long, linear obtuse. Disc-flowers brownish-yellow. Pappus 1cm. long, very minutely barbellate. Corolla-tube 1·2cm. long, gradually widening upwards, glabrous; lobes 1·5mm. long, ovate, obtuse. Filaments inserted at the constricted portions of the corolla-tube, 6mm. long, linear, slightly broadened below the anthers; anthers 4mm. long, with a short ovate appendage, blunt at the base. Ovary 4·5mm. long, linear in outline, glabrous; style 1·1cm. long, cylindric; lobes 2mm. long, flat on the inner face, convex on the back, truncate and shortly bristly at the apex.

[Plate 83.]—Fig. 1, ray-flower; Fig. 2, disc-flower; Fig. 3, upper portion of style with lobes; Figs. 4, 5, involucral bracts; Fig. 6, fruit.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

S. Gower del

Plate 84.
PROTEA compacta.

Cape Province.

Proteaceae. Tribe Proteeae
Protea, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 169.
Protea compacta, R. Br. in Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. x. 76; Fl. Cap. vol. v.
sect. i. p. 570.

We have previously figured two species of Protea belonging to different sections of the genus. On Plate 22 will be found P. abyssinica (§ Lasiocephalae) with a large head not contracted into a scaly peduncle at the base, while on Plate 76 we figured P. recondita (§ Leiocephalae) with a smaller head and a scaly peduncle. Our present plant belongs to quite a separate section (Ligulatae), which is characterised by the inner involucral bracts being produced into a long claw with an oblong or oblanceolate limb. Protea compacta is a common plant in some parts of the Cape Province, especially in the Caledon Division, but is also found in parts of the Cape and Stellenbosch Divisions, and a single specimen, collected by Zeyher, has been recorded from the van Staden’s Mountains. In its natural habitat it is a bush 4-6 ft. high with brilliant pink bracts partly surrounded by the uppermost leaves, and in many localities the flowering bush is one of the features of the landscape. Like many other species of Protea in the Cape Province, this species is visited by a large coleopterous beetle.

Our plant was collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at Hawston in the Caledon Division, where it is found growing on white sandy soil. The species has been established in cultivation at the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch, and is doing remarkably well there. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 2577).

Description:—Branches finely tomentellous, at length glabrous. Leaves 3¼-4½ in. long, ¾-1½ in. broad, strongly imbricate, ovate to ovate-lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, obtuse with a callous point, sub-cordate or rounded or slightly narrowed at the base, coriaceous, prominently veined, glabrous, with the margins shortly villous or at length glabrous. Head sessile, 4 in. long, about 2½ in. in diameter. Involucral-bracts 8-seriate; outer ovate, obtuse, villous-pubescent or more or less glabrescent, with a dense fringe of woolly hairs; inner more or less flesh-colour to carmine with an oblong limb and a linear claw, finely villous-tomentose, tips densely ciliate, exceeding the flowers. Perianth-sheath 2 in. long, dilated, 5-nerved and 3-keeled below, finely tomentose, glabrous at the base; lip over 1 in. long, 3-awned, lateral awns 3-4½ in. long, filiform, flexuous, tawny to purplish-tomentose; median awn 1 in. long, filiform. Fertile stamens 3, sub-sessile; filaments ¾ in. long, flattened; anthers linear, 4½ in. long; apical gland almost 1 in. long, lanceolate-oblong; barren stamen 4½ in. long, linear, eglandular. Ovary 1 in. long, oblong, densely covered with long light-golden hairs; style 2 in. long, finely grooved on the convex side, glabrous; stigma 2½ in. long, linear, obtuse, strongly keeled and bent at the junction with the style.

[Plate 84.]—Fig. 1, longitudinal section of receptacle; Fig. 2, surface view of portion of receptacle; Fig. 3, an outermost bract; Fig. 4, inner bract; Fig. 5, a single flower; Fig. 6, ovary and base of style; Fig. 7, stigma and upper part of style.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

S. Gower del.

Plate 85.
GERBERA plantaginea.

Transvaal.

Compositae. Tribe Mutisieae.
Gerbera, Gronov.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 497.
Gerbera plantaginea, Harv. in Fl. Cap. vol. ii. p. 522.

In an earlier part, on Plate 64, we figured a Transvaal plant, Gazania pygmaea, and stated it to be one of the first species to flower on burnt veld. The plant illustrated here is usually contemporary with the above, and before any of the other veld plants show signs of growth numerous inflorescences of Gerbera plantaginea may be seen pushing through the hard surface of the soil. The underground rootstock is well adapted to withstand the long, dry winter months, and can store up sufficient moisture to commence growth before the first summer rains begin. The plant is usually found growing in small colonies, and the colour of the ray-florets varies from pure white to yellow and through various shades of pink to red. Like Gazania pygmaea, this species was found by Burke and Zeyher on the Magaliesberg about the year 1841, and Harvey, in the “Flora Capensis,” based his description on their specimen. We are indebted to Mr. D. Fouche for the specimens which were collected near Meintjes Kopje, Pretoria. They are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 2580).

Description:—An acaulescent plant with an underground rhizome with a woolly crown and thick cylindric roots. Leaves 4·5-13cm. long, 0·8-2·2cm. broad, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, subacute, narrowed into a petiole at the base, with the midrib and lateral veins distinct beneath, and with entire or sub-denticulate margins, pilose above and beneath. Peduncle 11-27cm. long, naked, densely tomentose, at length becoming sparsely tomentose. Heads solitary, 3-4cm. in diameter. Involucral-bracts in 3 rows, all tomentose; the outer 7 mm. long, 1·5 mm. broad at the base, tapering to an acute point; the inner 1 cm. long, 2 mm. broad, lanceolate, acuminate, acute. Receptacle slightly convex, honeycombed. Ray-flowers in two rows; the outer with a strap-shaped limb 1 cm. long, 2·5 mm. broad, about 6-nerved, minutely 2-3-toothed at the apex and with the lower lip represented by 4 linear appendages 1·5-2 mm. long, the two outer narrower than the two inner. Pappus 6 mm. long, longer than the tube. Ovary 3 mm. long, oblong, pilose; style 8 mm. long, cylindric; lobes 0·5 mm. long, glandular (lobes sometimes three); inner ray-flowers similar to the outer but limb 4·5 mm. long, 0·75 mm. broad. Disc-flowers hermaphrodite. Corolla-tube 4·5 mm. long, cylindric; lobes 3 mm. long, 0·5 mm. broad, linear, obtuse. Anthers 5 mm. long, linear, obtuse, long-tailed at the base. Pappus 6 mm. long. Ovary 3 mm. long, terete, almost glabrous; style 6 mm. long, cylindric; lobes 0·5 mm. long, ovate, obtuse.

[Plate 85.]—Fig. 1, longitudinal section through head showing the convex receptacle; Fig. 2, a ray-floret; Fig. 3, a disc-floret; Fig. 4, upper portion of corolla of disc-floret; Fig. 5, apices of lips of disc-floret; Fig. 6, stamens; Fig. 7, upper portion of style of disc-floret showing the two lobes.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

Plate 86.
ALOE variegata.

Cape Province.

Liliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.
Aloe, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 776.
Aloe variegata, Linn. Sp. Pl. vol. i. p. 321; Fl. Cap. vol. vi. p. 328.

The Aloe here represented differs from any we have previously illustrated by having the leaves arranged in three ranks which may become spirally twisted. In the “Flora Capensis” this character is used to distinguish a sub-genus “Gonialoe” which contains only the species A. variegata. The species is one of the oldest and most common aloes in cultivation. A coloured illustration appeared in the Botanical Magazine (t. 513) in 1801, and it is recorded that a Mr. Fairchild had the species growing in England in 1720. For some reason the plant is not well represented in European herbaria, as even in 1897, when the genus was published in the “Flora Capensis,” the precise localities in which the species occurs in South Africa remained doubtful. The traveller and botanist, Carl Thunberg, collected the plant about 1772, and according to Mr. N. E. Brown it is represented in the Thunberg herbarium by “two leaves with the variegation on them well preserved, and a single flower.”

The species is easy of cultivation and is propagated by means of suckers which send up small plants. From the plant in cultivation at Pretoria, four offshoots have developed in one season.

We are enabled to figure this plant through the courtesy of Mrs. E. Rood, of Van Rhynsdorp, who forwarded us the living plant, which flowered at Pretoria in July 1922. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 2575).

Description:—An acaulescent plant. Leaves in three rows sometimes slightly spirally twisted, with irregular greenish-white bands on a dark green background; the lower leaves 8-10 cm. long, about 3·5 cm. broad, ovate, mucronate, almost flat above, keeled beneath, rough with small tubercles on the keel and margins; the inner leaves 14-23 cm. long, ovate-lanceolate, mucronate, concave on the inner face, keeled beneath, rough with small tubercles on the keel and margins. Inflorescence from the axil of one of the lower leaves; peduncle 40 cm. long, 9 mm. in diameter, terete, with about 8 barren bracts below the flowers which occupy the uppermost 11 cm. of the peduncle. Flowers at first erect, then horizontal, then pendulous when mature. Bracts 1·2 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, long-acuminate, acute, longer than the pedicels, white, with a greenish-brown keel. Pedicels 5 mm. long, terete, glabrous. Perianth-tube 4 cm. long, 9 mm. in diameter, tubular, slightly ventricose and oblique at the base; lobes 9 mm. long, 5 mm. broad, obovate. Stamens attached to the base of the perianth; filaments 4·5 cm. long, terete; anthers 2·5 mm. long, oblong. Ovary 6 mm. long, 3 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid; style 4 cm. long, terete; stigma minutely 3-lobed.

[Plate 86.]—Fig. 1, bract; Fig. 2, bud; Fig. 3, mature flower; Fig. 4, upper part of perianth laid open; Fig. 5, stamen; Fig. 6, pistil; Fig. 7, cross-section of leaf. N.B.—In the coloured drawing the leaves are half natural size, but the inflorescence is natural size.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

S. Gower del.

Plate 87.
CERATOTHECA triloba.
Bechuanaland, Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal.

Pedallaceae. Tribe Sesameae.
Ceratotheca, Endl.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 1059.
Ceratotheca triloba, E. Mey. ex Bernh. in Linnaea, vol. xvi. 29;
Fl. Cap. vol. iv. sect. ii. p. 462.

The genus Ceratotheca, of which there are five species known, is confined to Africa, but the species figured in the accompanying plate is the only one recorded in South Africa. The genus is closely related to Sesamum, only differing by the capsule having two divergent horns or spines at the apex instead of being acute or beaked as in the latter genus. The species was first described in 1842 under the name Sporledera triloba, but, as pointed out in the Botanical Magazine under Tab. 6974, there is no justification for establishing a genus to include this species separate from Ceratotheca. The oldest record from South Africa appears to be specimens collected by Drège between the Umtata and St. John’s River, but since then it has been found by numerous collectors. When fresh, the leaves have a very objectionable odour. The plant is very common during January on the hills at Wonderboom, near Pretoria. Our specimen was collected by Dr. R. Reitz. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 1605).

Description:—An herbaceous plant with erect stems, sometimes 6 ft. high, simple or branched. Stems obtusely 4-angled, glandular-pilose. Leaves opposite, sometimes alternate, petiolate; petioles 0·5-5 cm. long, grooved above, convex beneath, glandular-pilose; lamina 2-6·5 cm. long, ovate, more or less 3-lobed with the lobes crenate (the uppermost leaves not lobed), cordate at the base, palmately veined, with the veins prominent beneath, depressed above, glandular-pubescent. Flowers solitary, axillary, with often two abortive flowers in the same leaf-axil. Pedicels 5 mm. long, terete, glandular-pilose. Calyx divided almost to the base; the lobes erect, 0·8-1 cm. long, lanceolate, acuminate, sub-obtuse, glandular-pilose; the anterior lobe the smallest. Corolla-tube 3·5 cm. long, ventricose at the base, then slightly constricted and widening into a broad campanulate portion 1·4 cm. diameter, glandular-pilose; lobes 0·8 cm. long, about 1 cm. broad, transversely oblong, rounded above; the posterior lobe longer. Stamens of two different lengths, inserted above the ventricose portion of the corolla-tube; filaments 0·9-1·3 cm. long, glabrous; anthers 5 mm. long, linear. Ovary 6 mm. long, oblong in outline, densely villous, with 2 divergent horns at the apex; style 1·8 cm. long, terete, glabrous; stigmas recurved, papillose. Fruit 2 cm. long, oblong, with 2 divergent horns, glandular-pilose.

[Plate 87.]—Fig. 1, portion of flowering branch; Fig. 2, corolla laid open; Fig. 3, pistil; Fig. 4, cross-section of ovary; Fig. 5, stigmas; Fig. 6, stamens and anther; Fig. 7, fruits; Fig. 8, fruit dehisced; Fig. 9, leaf; Figs. 10, 11, abortive flowers.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

S. Gower del.

Plate 88.
DICOMA zeyheri.

Transvaal. Zululand.

Compositae. Tribe Mutisieae.
Dicoma, Cass.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 492.

Dicoma Zeyheri, Cass. in Linn. vol. xxiii. p. 71; Fl. Cap. vol. iii. p. 518.

The genus Dicoma comprises a small group of half-woody shrubs with acuminate usually pungent involucral-bracts. About twenty-five species are known, most of which are found in Tropical and South Africa, one extending into Western India. There is also a peculiar species, D. cana, in the island of Socotra. The tribe Mutisieae, to which Dicoma belongs, is but sparingly represented in Africa and has its head-quarters in South America.

Our present plant is common in parts of the Transvaal Highveld, and is found in flower from January to March. It has also been collected at Barberton by Mr. E. E. Galpin. Like so many of the shrubby plants occurring in the grass-veld, it has deep underground roots from which the stems arise, but, unlike the majority of them, is one of the last to flower.

The specimen from which this plate was prepared was collected by Miss S. Gower near the Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 2581).

Description:—A somewhat woody undershrub about 30 cm. high with deep underground roots. Stems striate, cobwebby. Leaves 5·5-7 cm. long, 1-1·7 cm. broad, lanceolate, acute, or obtuse, sometimes subacuminate, slightly broadened and half-clasping at the base, usually entire, more rarely minutely and remotely toothed, glabrous above, cobwebby beneath. Capitulum shortly peduncled, about 5 cm. in diameter when expanded. Involucral-bracts in about 8 rows, the outermost strongly reflexed, the rest erect spreading, 1·5-2·5 cm. long, 4-9 mm. broad, ovate, acuminate, pungent, with membranous margins (except the outermost); the innermost bracts erect, closely enveloping the flowers, almost wholly membranous. Involucre 1·5 cm. in diameter, slightly convex, deeply honeycombed. Flowers all hermaphrodite. Corolla-tube 6 mm. long, cylindric for 5 mm. then suddenly campanulate, glabrous; lobes 4·5 mm. long, linear, gradually tapering upwards, obtuse, recurved in open flowers. Stamens inserted at the widened portion of the corolla-tube; filaments 1·5 mm. long, linear; anthers 7·5 mm. long, linear, lanceolate, acute at the apex, long-tailed at the base; tails hairy with ascending hairs. Ovary densely villous; style 1·5 cm. long, cylindric, glabrous; lobes 0·5 mm. long, ovate, obtuse, convex and hairy on outer side. Pappus 9 mm. long, dense and completely hiding the corolla-tube; setae long, plumose.

[Plate 88.]—Fig. 1, longitudinal section of head; Fig. 2, surface view of part of receptacle; Fig. 3, involucral-bract; Fig. 4, an inner involucral-bract; Fig. 5, disc-floret before style appears; Fig. 6, disc-floret with style through the stamens; Fig. 7, disc-floret with pappus removed; Fig. 8, stamen; Fig. 9, apex of style; Fig. 10, a single pappus bristle; Fig. 11, portion of a leaf showing the minute teeth on the margin.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

K A Lansdell del

Plate 89.
HYOBANCHE fulleri.

Natal.

Scrophulariaceae. Tribe Gerardieae.
Hyobanche, Thunb.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 968.

Hyobanche Fulleri, Phillips, sp. nov. Stipes succulentus. Folia 1·4 cm. longa, superne 6 mm. lata, spathulata, apice obtusa, externe glanduloso-villosa. Inflorescentia ad 13 cm. longa, 3 cm. lata. Bracteae 2·5 cm. longae, superne 6 mm. latae, spathulatae, externe glanduloso-pilosae, 3-nervosae; bracteolae 2, 2·5 cm. longae, 2 mm. latae, lineares, apice subacutae. Pedicellus 3 mm. longus, 3 mm. latus, carnosus. Calyx inaequalis; segmentum infimum 3 mm. longum, lineare; cetera 2·5 cm. longa, pilosa. Corolla leviter curvata, 3·5 cm. longa, 7 mm. lata, superne viscido-pilosa. Filimenta 2·4 cm. longa. Ovarium 4 mm. longum, globosum, glabrum; stylus 2·7 cm. longus, superne curvatus; stigma clavatum.

This new Hyobanche is the only recorded species for Natal. Bews (“Flora of Natal and Zululand”) records H. sanguinea from Umzumbi, but we suspect it is the species here described. It was first collected by the late Dr. J. Medley Wood (Herb. Natal 11002) at Karridene Beach, and recently Mr. Claude Fuller of Pretoria forwarded living specimens from the same locality. Mr. Fuller was unable to determine the host on which the parasite grew. It differs from H. sanguinea, as from all the other known South African species, in having the lowest calyx segment very much shorter than the others. The genus Hyobanche is very closely related to Harveya, a species (Harveya squamosa) of which is figured on Plate 67. Species of the two genera can easily be distinguished by an examination of the stamens. In Hyobanche the anthers are one-celled, while in Harveya the anthers are two-celled but only one cell contains pollen. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1643).

Description:—A parasitic herb. Stem fleshy. Leaves adpressed, 1·4 cm. long, 6 mm. broad above, spathulate, obtuse, glandular-villous without. Inflorescence up to 13 cm. long, 3 cm. in diameter; axis fleshy. Bracts 2·5 cm. long, 0·6 cm. broad above, spathulate, densely glandular-pilose without, 3-nerved above; bracteoles 2, 2·5 cm. long, 2 mm. broad, linear, subacute, narrowing at the base. Pedicels 3 mm. long, 3 mm. in diameter, fleshy. Calyx unequal; the anterior segment 3 mm. long, linear; the lateral and posterior segments 2·5 cm. long, pilose without. Corolla slightly curved, 3·5 cm. long, 7 mm. in diameter, viscously pilose without in the upper half; mouth a longitudinal slit, about 1 cm. long, more or less opening out upwards by a recurving of the margins which indicates the presence of a hooded faintly two-lobed upper lip and a very obscure lower lip split to the base. Filaments 2·4 cm. long, attached near base of corolla-tube. Ovary 4 mm. long, 4 mm. in diameter, globose, glabrous; style 2·7 cm. long, terete, gradually thickening and sharply curved above, glabrous; stigma clavate.

[Plate 89.]—Fig. 1, young inflorescence; Fig. 2, longitudinal section of inflorescence; Fig. 3, underground stem with young inflorescence; Fig. 4, flower, with bract and two bracteoles; Fig. 5, bract, front and side view; Fig. 6, calyx; Fig. 7, bracteole; Fig. 8, corolla; Fig. 9, gynæcium; Fig. 10, leaf; Fig. 11, upper portion of corolla, side view; Fig. 12, upper portion of corolla, front view.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

S. Gower del.

Plate 90.
ROMULEA austinii.

Cape Province.

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

Romulea Austinii, Phillips, sp. nov.; affinis R. hirsutae, Eck., sed floribus aurantiacis, bractea interior marginibus latis membranaceis differt.

Cormi 1·5 cm. longi, 1·2 cm. diametro, tunicis brunneis obtecti. Folia 3 vel 4, lineari-filiformia, acuta, 4-10 cm. longa, 0·75 mm. lata, profunde sulcata, basi vaginata. Flores 2-3-nati; pedicelli 1·2 cm. longi, subteretes, glabri, demum spiraliter curvati. Valva exterior elliptico-oblonga, herbacea, apice dentata, 9 mm. longa, 4 mm. lata, 9-nervia, marginibus angustis membranaceis, interior subaequalis, apice bifida, 5-6-nervia, marginibus latissime membranaceis. Perianthii tubus campanulatus, 5-6 mm. longus, lobis 1·5 cm. longis 0·7 cm. latis obovatis obtusis interioribus aurantiacis exterioribus purpureo notatis. Filamenta 9 mm. longa, basi explanata et pilosa, medio dorso pilosa; antherae 4 mm. longae, 2 mm. latae, ellipsoideae, primum leviter connatae. Ovarium subglobosum; stylus 1 cm. longus, teres, glaber, ramis 3·5 mm. longis bifidis.

South Africa: Matjesfontein, A. J. Austin.

We are indebted to Mr. A. J. Austin for this charming little species of Romulea, which is apparently undescribed. It was gathered at Matjesfontein. The same species was collected a few years ago by Schlechter (No. 8847) at Matjes River at an altitude of 2500 feet, and distributed by him as Romulea hirsuta, Eckl., var. aurantiaca. Although resembling R. hirsuta in general appearance, it is easily distinguished by the colour of the flowers and especially by the very broadly membranous margins of the inner spathe valve. The flowers close up at night.

Our knowledge of the genus Romulea in South Africa is still very meagre, and much field-work is necessary in order to understand the range and variability of the species.

Description:—Corms 1·5 cm. long, 1·2 cm. in diameter with brown tunics. Leaves 3-4 to a corm, 4-10 cm. long, 0·75 mm. broad, with five deep and narrow grooves, acute, somewhat sheathing at the base and forming a distinct neck, minutely ciliate. Flowers 2-3 to a spathe. Pedicels 1·2 cm. long, subterete, glabrous, becoming spirally coiled in old flowers. Outer spathe valve 9 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, elliptic-oblong, toothed at the apex, 9-nerved, with membranous margins; inner spathe valve about same size as outer, deeply bifid at the apex, 5-6-nerved with very broad membranous margins. Perianth-tube 5-6 mm. long, campanulate; lobes 1·5 cm. long, 0·7 cm. broad, obovate, obtuse, reflexed in the open flower, yellow in colour with a spade-like purple mark on the three outer and smaller purple marks on the three inner. Filaments 9 mm. long, convex on the back, grooved on the front face, broadened and pilose at the base, pilose on back about the middle; anthers 4 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, elliptic, in flowers which have just opened the anthers are somewhat joined and the stigmas appear between the anthers. Ovary subglobose; style 1 cm. long, terete, glabrous; lobes 3·5 mm. long, each subdivided into 2 lobes 2 mm. long.

[Plate 90.]—Fig. 1, leaf; Fig. 1a, section of leaf; Fig. 2, spathe valve; Fig. 3, perianth from outside; Fig. 4, same from above; Fig. 5, section of flower; Fig. 6, stamen; Fig. 7, base of filament; Fig. 8, anther (front); Fig. 9, anther (back); Fig. 10, style; Fig. 11, inner valve.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

S. Gower del.

Plate 91.
LACHENALIA roodeae.

Cape Province.

Liliaceae. Tribe Scilleae.
Lachenalia, Jacq.; Benth. et Hook. f. vol. iii. p. 807.

Lachenalia Roodeae, Phillips, sp. nov.

Bulbus 2·5 cm. longus, 1·8 cm. latus. Folia 2, 7-14 cm. longa, basi 2-4 cm. lata, ovato-lanceolata, apice obtusa, aliquando mucronata, glabra. Pedunculus 2-3·5 cm. longus, c. 7 cm. latus. Inflorescentia spicata, 9-14 cm. longa. Bracteae c. 1 mm. longae, ovatae, apice obtusae. Pedicellus c. 1 mm. longus. Flos 1-1·2 cm. longus, campanulatus, basi obliquus; lobi exteriores 8 mm. longi, 4·75 mm. lati, oblongo-ovati, apice obtusi; lobi interiores 1 cm. longi, 4·5 mm. lati, oblongo-obovati, apice rotundi. Stamina exserta; filamenta 1·2 cm. longa; antherae 1·5 mm. longae, oblongae. Ovarium 3·5 mm. longum, 2·5 mm. latum, trigonum; stylus 1·1 cm. longus, teres; stigma minute 3-lobatum.

Van Rhynsdorp District: Van Rhynsdorp, Mrs. E. Rood in National Herbarium Pretoria, 1461.

This extremely fine species of Lachenalia was sent to the Division of Botany by Mrs. E. Rood of Van Rhynsdorp, who states that the plant is quite common there. It belongs to an endemic South African genus of about fifty species, and surpasses any other species known to us in the rich colouring of the flowers. It flowers during August and September, and should make a welcome addition to the bulb garden as one of the earlier flowering species. There has been some doubt about the identity of this plant, and we were inclined to regard it as L. carnosa, Baker, which was collected by Drège in Little Namaqualand. Mr. N. E. Brown, of Kew, very kindly examined the plate, and is of the opinion that it is not this species, and that nothing like it is in the Kew Herbarium. It, however, is very near L. carnosa, Baker, but may be distinguished from this species in the inner perianth segments being longer than the outer and in the far exserted stamens. This latter character is not constant, as we find after examining a large series of specimens that the length to which the stamens are exserted from the perianth depends on the age of the flower. The stamens are in more or less two unilateral rows, the lower three ripening before the upper three.

Description:—Bulb 2·5 cm. long, 1·8 cm. in diameter, ovoid, covered with black membranous tunics with many fibrous roots from the base. Leaves 2, erect-spreading, 7-14 cm. long, 2-4 cm. broad in the widest part; the outer leaf always larger than the inner leaf, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, sometimes mucronate, narrowed and clasping at the base, with reddish margins, glabrous. Peduncle 2-3·5 cm. long, about 7 mm. in diameter, partially hidden by the clasping leaf bases. Inflorescence a dense many-flowered spike, 9-14 cm. long; axis fleshy, up to 8 cm. in diameter at the base, narrowing upwards, with a number of facets, each facet bearing a flower at the base. Bracts about 1 mm. long, ovate, obtuse, forming a small pocket from which the flower arises. Flowers subsessile; pedicels about 1 mm. long. Perianth purplish, 1-1·2 cm. long, campanulate, oblique at the base; tube about 3 mm. long, about 5 mm. in diameter above; lobes of outer segments 8 mm. long, 4·75 mm. broad, oblong-ovate, obtuse, rostrate on the outer surface just beneath the apex; lobes of the inner segments 1 cm. long, 4·5 mm. broad above, oblong-obovate, rounded above. Stamens exserted, attached to base of the perianth segments; filaments 1·2 cm. long, terete; anthers 1·5 mm. long, oblong. Ovary 3·5 mm. long, 2·5 mm. in diameter, oblong in outline, trigonous; style 1·1 cm. long, terete, stigma very faintly 3-lobed.

[Plate 91.]—Fig. 1, base of leaves; Fig. 2, axis of inflorescence showing the small cups in which the flowers are situated; Fig. 3, a single flower; Fig. 4, perianth laid open; Fig. 5, apices of outer perianth segments; Fig. 6, apex of an inner perianth segment. Fig. 7, stamens; Fig. 8, pistil.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

S. Gower del.

Plate 92.
BRUNIA stokoei.

Cape Province.

Bruniaceae.
Brunia, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. i. p. 671.
Brunia Stokoei, Phillips in Kew Bulletin, 1923, ined.

This is the first occasion upon which we have had an opportunity of figuring a member of the Natural Order Bruniaceae, which is one of the endemic South African families. The Bruniaceae comprise about fifty species, all confined to the south-western portion of the Cape Province. The genera Brunia and Berzelia often form a conspicuous feature in the landscape in some areas, the spherical heads of white flowers making the bushes noticeable amongst the surrounding vegetation.

The species figured here was collected in 1922 by Mr. T. P. Stokoe on the Hottentot Hollands Mountains near Hang Klip, and forwarded by him to the Division of Botany, Pretoria. Near the same locality Mr. Stokoe discovered another species of Brunia, which is undescribed. We do not know of either of these species having been previously collected, and the fact that undescribed and rare plants have recently been found on such a well-known mountain range as the Hottentot Hollands, proves that there must be a large area, within easy reach of Cape Town, which has not yet been thoroughly botanically explored.

Description:—Branches glabrous. Leaves spreading 7-8 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, trigonous, almost flat above with a raised mid-rib, keeled beneath, obtuse, tipped with a small black globose mucro, the angles of the leaves when viewed by transmitted light are pellucid, glabrous. Inflorescence a stalked globose head arranged in groups up the branches. Peduncles 2-3 cm. long, 5-7 mm. in diameter, surrounded by adpressed imbricated bracts 3 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse, keeled below, glabrous. Axis of inflorescence 1·2-1·5 cm. long, 7-9 mm. in diameter, more or less ovate in longitudinal section. Floral-bracts 7 mm. long, obovate-spathulate, subacuminate, tipped with a black mucro, bent almost at right angles above, densely villous on back in the middle third. Calyx of 4 sepals, 4·5 mm. long; 3 sepals narrow-linear, the fourth oblanceolate, all densely villous without. Petals 5·5 mm. long, ·75 mm. broad, linear, with one large middle lobe and two small or almost obsolete side lobes. Filaments 5 mm. long, terete; anthers 1·25 mm. long, linear. Ovary 2 mm. long, 1 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid, densely villous above, 2-celled, with a pendulous ovule in each cell; styles two, 4 mm. long, terete, free from the base; stigma simple (in some flowers examined there was only a single style). Immature fruit 3·5 mm. long, 1·5 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid (National Herb. Pretoria 1668).

Plate 92.—Fig. 1, longitudinal section through head showing axis of the inflorescence; Fig. 2, floral bract; Fig. 3, a single flower; Fig. 4, a stamen; Fig. 5, longitudinal section of ovary showing the two cells and pendulous ovules.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

K. A. Lansdell del.

Plate 93.
HOODIA bainii.

Cape Province.

Asclepiadaceae. Tribe Stapelieae.

Hoodia, Sweet.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 783.

Hoodia Bainii, Dyer in Bot. Mag. t. 6348; Fl. Cap. vol. iv. sect. i. p. 897.

This plant, although previously figured in botanical publications, has been thought worthy of another illustration, especially as the former figures are not generally available to cultivators of South African succulents.

The first species of this interesting genus was brought to the notice of botanists in 1874 by Sir Henry Barkly, who sent specimens to Kew, where it flowered the following year. Since then other species have come to light, and we now know of seven species of the genus occurring in the desert regions of the Cape Province and Namaqualand.

The specimen figured was collected by Mrs. D. van der Bijl, Kruidfontein, Fraserburg District, in 1921, and sent to the Division of Botany, where it flowered in September 1922. The plant sends up numerous stems 9-12 inches high, and on these flowers profusely. The flowers are martius yellow (Ridgway Colour Standards) in colour, with a dark corona standing out in sharp relief in the middle of the saucer-shaped corolla. Like many other members of this group of plants, the flowers have a disagreeable odour.

Description:—Plant 6-8 in. high in the specimens seen (12-15 in. according to Barkly), bushily branched; branches 1-1½ in. thick, with 12-15 tuberculate angles, glabrous, green, somewhat glaucous; tubercles tipped with a slender pale brown spine 3½-5 in. long; flowers 1-2 together, glabrous in all parts; pedicels ¼-½ in. long; sepals 2-2½ in. long, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate; corolla in bud hemispheric at the basal part, 5-winged above, truncate, with a short central point, when expanded 2½-3 in. in diameter, cup-shaped, about 1 in. deep, subtruncate at the margin with 5 subulate or awn-like points 1½-3 in. long, glabrous, smooth, not papillate on the central part, light yellow or pale buff, sometimes tinged with pinkish or very pale purple; tube obsolete, represented by a slight depression from which the blackish corona is exserted or its margins resting upon the rim, when dried contained in a very small cup; outer corona 1¾-2 in. in diameter, cupular, 5-lobed; lobes ¼-⅓ in. long, nearly 1 in. broad, emarginate; inner corona-lobes ⅖ in. long, oblong, obtuse, closely incumbent upon the backs of the anthers and not exceeding them, dorsally connected to the inflexed sinuses of the outer corona; follicles 4-5 in. long, 4-5 in. thick, terete-fusiform, tapering to a beak, glabrous, smooth; seeds 3-3½ in. long, 1½ in. broad, ovate, flat, with a slightly thickened margin, glabrous, smooth, light brown. Flora Capensis (National Herb. Pretoria 2592).

Plate 93.—Fig. 1, bud; Fig. 2, transverse section of stem; Fig. 3, corona; Fig. 4, pollinia.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

M. Page del.

Plate 94.
TRITONIA mathewsiana.

Transvaal.

Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Tritonia, Ker.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 708.
Tritonia Mathewsiana, L. Bolus in Annals Bolus Herb. vol. iii. p. 76.

This species, which belongs to one of the large South African genera of the iris family, differs from all genera of Iridaceae hitherto figured in this publication in having small brown spathe valves. The genus is represented in South Africa by over thirty species, mostly confined to the coastal region of the Cape Province, but with a few in Namaqualand, Natal, and the Transvaal. Tritonia lineata is the most widely distributed species of the genus, occurring in the Mossel Bay, Bathurst, Albany, Stockenstroom, and Somerset East Divisions, and extending into East Griqualand, Basutoland, and Natal.

The species here figured is a new record for the Transvaal, and was found by Mrs. H. M. Wood at Graskop, Pilgrim’s Rest. Plants were sent to the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch, and flowered there during February of the years 1918-1921 (National Botanic Gardens, No. 542/16). An illustration was made from these specimens and kindly lent to us by the Curator of the Bolus Herbarium for reproduction.

Description:—An erect glabrous plant 1·5 mm. or more high. Leaves ascending or almost erect, 35 cm. long, 4 cm. broad, ensiform, with about 13 primary nerves; radical leaves about 4; cauline leaves about 10. Peduncle up to 15 cm. long clasped by the uppermost leaf which is reduced to 6 cm. long. Inflorescence racemose with the branches divaricate and the flowering axis flexuose, moderately dense with the flowers secund, at length perpendicular to the axis. Bracts 3-5 mm. long, oblong, acute, the younger herbaceous; bracteoles almost joined to their apices, acute, equalling the bracts. Perianth 3-3·5 cm. long; tube 1·8 cm. long, 1·5 mm. in diameter at the base, 5 mm. in diameter above, infundibuliform; segments at length spreading, ovate-oblong, obtuse; the outer 1·3 cm. long, 5 mm. broad; the inner 1·5 cm. long, 6 mm. broad; the uppermost 1·7 cm. long, 7 mm. broad. Stamens more or less curved; filaments 1·3 cm. long; anthers 5-7 mm. long. Style 2·3 cm. long; branches 5 mm. long. Capsule 8 mm. long, subglobose, obtusely 3-angled. Seeds many, 4 mm. long, subtriangular.

[Plate 94.]—Fig. 1, whole plant (reduced); Fig. 2, flower laid open; Fig. 3, fruit; Fig. 4, seed × 2.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

K. A. Lansdell del.

Plate 95.
LEUCOSPERMUM cordatum.

Cape Province.

Proteaceae. Tribe Proteeae.
Leucospermum, R. Br.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 170.

Leucospermum cordatum, Phillips in Kew Bulletin, 1923, ined.

Although the South African Proteaceae are usually conspicuous plants and have been recently monographed in the Flora Capensis, undescribed species continue to be discovered. This is the case with the plant here figured, which was collected in November 1922 by Mr. T. P. Stokoe near Kogel Bai, on the Hottentots Holland Mountains at an altitude of 2500 ft.

Mr. Stokoe describes it as a plant of straggling growth among loose stones and grass. We have previously figured a species of this genus (Plate 74), and readers are referred to the description there for the principal differences between the genera Protea and Leucospermum.

The decumbent habit of this species is also found in Leucospermum hypophyllum, but is not common in the family.

Our plate was prepared from fresh plants forwarded by Mr. Stokoe.

Description:—A decumbent plant with long trailing branches. Branches scantily pilose with long hairs. Leaves more or less horizontal or slightly reflexed, 3-5 cm. long, 1·8-2·2 cm. broad at the base, ovate, obtuse with a blunt callus, cordate at the base, pilose and shortly tomentose especially near the base, at length becoming glabrous. Heads solitary, very rarely 3-nate at the ends of the branches, 3-4 cm. in diameter, semiglobose. Peduncle 2 cm. long, covered with numerous barren bracts, tomentose. Bracts 5 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, at the base, ovate, obtuse, sometimes reflexed, pilose outside, glabrous within, ciliate. Receptacle 7 mm. long, 5 mm. in diameter at the base, conical. Floral-bracts 1 cm. long, obovate, shortly awned, attenuate at the base, densely villous outside, glabrous within, ciliate. Perianth-tube 5 mm. long, tubular; lobes 9 mm. long, linear, long pilose; limb 3 mm. long, elliptic, subacuminate, sub-obtuse, pilose without. Anthers 2 mm. long, linear. Ovary 2·5 mm. long, ellipsoid, glabrous; style 1·7 cm. long, terete, glabrous; stigma 1·7 mm. long, conical, shortly subacuminate, swollen at the junction with the style (National Herb. Pretoria 2607).

[Plate 95.]—Fig. 1, flower; Fig. 2, flower showing perianth lobes; Fig. 3, floral bract; Fig. 4, style and stigma; Fig. 5, longitudinal section of receptacle.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

Plate 96.
ALOE saponaria.

Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal.

Liliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.
Aloe, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 776.

Aloe saponaria, Haw. Syn. 83; Fl. Cap. vol. vi. p. 312.

This Aloe, known as the common soap-aloe, was introduced into cultivation in Europe early in the eighteenth century, and it still retains its popularity. Three colour varieties are known: one with salmon-coloured flowers, one with red flowers, and one with pale lemon-yellow flowers. The inflorescence in all these varieties may be either simple or branched. The plants are common on the south and east coasts of South Africa.

The buds just before the flowers open are between 3 and 4 cm. long, and in about four days are completely open, and then a little over 4 cm. long. The stamens do not all ripen at the same time; two or three project and shed their pollen, being followed after a short interval by the remainder. While the stamens are dehiscing the style remains within the perianth and lengthens only after the pollen has been shed. It then projects beyond the perianth, which now begins to wither and close tightly round the style. While this is taking place the filaments contract by twisting and are drawn back into the perianth. The inclusion of the style during the dehiscence of the anthers and its subsequent projection ensures cross-pollination.

Our plate was prepared from specimens growing in the Aloe collection at the Division of Botany, Pretoria.

Description:—An acaulescent plant or with a short stem with a rosette of leaves. Leaves up to 20 cm. long, about 8 cm. broad, dark green with dark longitudinal marking on the upper surface, lighter green and faintly spotted beneath, acuminate, usually brown and withered at the tip, with spines on the margins; spines 8 mm. long, about 1·5 cm. apart and more or less at right angles to the leaf. Inflorescence ·3-·5 m. high, simple or branched. Peduncle terete with a few dry membranous acuminate bracts. Flowers in a contracted raceme. Floral bracts 1·5-2·5 cm. long, long-acuminate from an ovate-lanceolate base. Pedicels 2·5-4 cm. long, terete. Perianth-tube 3·3 cm. long, 9 mm. in diameter above, gradually narrowing below and dilated into a globose base; segments 1 cm. long, ·5 cm. broad, oblong, obtuse, slightly reflexed in the mature flower. Filaments in buds 2·4 cm. long, linear, in mature flowers lengthening to 3·5 cm. and becoming corrugated in the upper half. Ovary 8 mm. long, cylindric; style 2·5 cm. long, cylindric, lengthening in older flowers to 3·8 cm.; stigma simple (National Herb. Pretoria 2593).

[Plate 96.]—Fig. 1, perianth-lobes; Fig. 2, stamens; Fig. 3, pistil; Fig. 4, tip of style, much enlarged.

F.P.S.A., 1923.

M. Page del.

Plate 97.
SYNNOTIA metelerkampiae.

Cape Province.

Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.
Synnotia, Sweet.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 709.

Synnotia Metelerkampiae, L. Bolus in Annals Bolus Herb. vol. iii. p. 77.

The genus Synnotia is one of the endemic genera of the family Iridaceae, and has hitherto only been represented by two species. The species here figured is a new record for the genus in South Africa. On Plate 60 we figured a species of Sparaxis, and a comparison of that plate with the present one will show that the two genera Sparaxis and Synnotia are nearly related: the rootstock, inflorescence, and spathe valves are the same in both, but the former has regular flowers, while in the latter genus the flowers are irregular.

The species is found near Eendekuil in the Clanwilliam Division, and the original description was prepared from specimens flowering in the garden of Mrs. F. Metelerkamp. We are indebted to the Curator of the Bolus Herbarium for lending us the illustration from which the accompanying plate was prepared.

Description:—A glabrous herb, 16-25 cm. high. Corm 1·6 cm. long, 1·2 cm. in diameter, ovoid, with rigid tunics prominently nerved and with the nerves reticulated. Stem erect. Leaves 6-7 to each stem, 5-8 cm. long, 1-1·2 cm. broad, equitant, adscending, linear, obtuse, apiculate or acute, with inconspicuous nerves. Inflorescence racemose, laxly 9-12-flowered, with the flowers almost erect. Bracts clasping, about 2 cm. long, ovate; bracteoles united beyond the middle, setaceous-acuminate, almost equalling the bracts. Perianth-tube 4-4·5 cm. long, 1-2 mm. in diameter, oblique and expanding to 7 mm. in diameter above; segments unequal; the lower smaller than the upper; the outer segments 1·2 cm. long, 4-6 mm. broad, ovate-oblong, subacute; the inner segments subclawed, obtuse, and with obscurely undulate margins; the uppermost 1·4 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, ovate; the lower 5 mm. broad. Filaments 1·2 cm. long; anthers 3-5 mm. long, with purple pollen. Style 4·6 cm. long with spathulate branches 3 mm. long. Capsule 1·5 cm. long. Seeds many, 2 mm. in diameter, subglobose (Bolus Herb. Cape Town 16039).