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. I.

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.
1921

[All rights reserved.]
TO
MRS. HENRY BURTON
OF
VOORSPOED, RETREAT, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,
A GREAT ADMIRER OF HER COUNTRY’S PLANTS, TO WHOSE
ENTHUSIASM “THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF SOUTH AFRICA”
OWES ITS ORIGIN, THIS, THE FIRST VOLUME, IS GRATEFULLY
DEDICATED IN RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICES
RENDERED BY HER TO SOUTH AFRICAN BOTANY AND
HORTICULTURE.

Division of Botany, Pretoria,
August, 1921.

FLOWERING PLANTS OF SOUTH AFRICA

PREFACE

The cultivation of South African plants in Europe dates back to early times.

Indeed, it may safely be assumed that it was in vogue soon after the Dutch settlement at the Cape, for Holland during the 16th and 17th centuries held first place in European horticulture. Her cities even vied with one another in the establishment of gardens of exotic plants, many of which came from the Cape.

These treasures created such interest and attracted such attention that Cape plants soon became the fashion and object of envy throughout Europe. Collectors were specially despatched to these shores for the purpose of hunting out and securing their botanical wealth.

Evidence also is not lacking that the cultivation of indigenous plants was carried out at the Cape prior to 1700.

Be this as it may, little remains to-day in South Africa to do credit to the past preservation and cultivation of our native flora.

In recent years, however, considerable interest has again sprung up in this direction; in fact, it is rapidly becoming fashionable to have a rockery of aloes, vijgies, and other succulents as one of the chief adjuncts to the garden.

Apart from these—perhaps better-known plants—there are many beautiful flowering herbs, shrubs and trees of the veld, which might with advantage be grown in our gardens and around our homes.

It is with the object of bringing these gems of nature to the notice of the public that this publication is offered.

A work of this kind is of necessity a costly undertaking, and its future existence and ultimate success will depend largely on the support which it receives at the hands of the public.

The publication of the present volume has only been made possible through the interest and keenness of a South African lady, whose love for her country and its natural beauties has been the means of procuring the necessary funds for the initiation of the work.

It is proposed to issue this publication as an illustrated serial, much on the same lines as the well-known Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, and for imitating which no apology need be tendered.

Should the publication be the means of stimulating further interest in the study and cultivation of our indigenous plants amongst the rising generation, the desire and object of its promoters will be achieved.

Living plants suitable for illustration, plants of economic value, or plants of general interest, will always be gladly received and welcomed by the Editor.

As regards the illustrations the Editor has been most fortunate in being able to place the work of that skilful artist, Miss K. A. Lansdell, before the public, while the descriptions have been prepared by Dr. E. Percy Phillips, Botanist in charge of the National Herbarium, to both of whom it is a pleasure to express one’s special thanks for the trouble and care which they have taken.

For the information of those of our readers who have not been fortunate enough to visit our country or our inland capital, it may be added that the illustration on our cover represents a glimpse of the magnificent Union Buildings at Pretoria, under whose shadow this work is being prepared, and on whose site the plants here figured are grown.

It has been the Editor’s privilege and good fortune to see a comparatively bare kopje converted in the course of a few years into the site of a grand and stately building surrounded with many of the country’s most beautiful and interesting herbs and shrubs.

The illustration depicts such characteristic plants as the arborescent Aloe Marlothii, Berg.; the handsome Aloe Wickensii, Pole Evans (in the centre); Aloe aculeata, Pole Evans; the neat Aloe Peglerae, Schönland; Cotyledon orbiculata, Linn.; Encephalartos Altensteinii, Lehm; and some arborescent euphorbias.

Although most of the plants just mentioned are typical of the vegetation of the Transvaal, an endeavour will be made in our magazine to depict in each volume as far as possible an equal number of floral representatives from all the Provinces.

As the authority for colour nomenclature, Colour Standards and Colour Nomenclature, by R. Ridgway, Washington, 1912, has been adopted.

I. B. POLE EVANS.

Pretoria, 1920.

1.

K.A. Lansdell del.

AGAPANTHUS UMBELLATUS, L’HERIT.

Plate 1.

AGAPANTHUS UMBELLATUS.

Cape Province, Natal, Orange Free State, Basutoland, and Transvaal.

Liliaceae. Tribe Allioideae.

Agapanthus, L’Herit; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 798.

Agapanthus umbellatus, L’Herit. Sert. Angl. 17; Fl. Cap. vi. 402.

This well-known garden plant, commonly called the “Agapanthus” or “Blue Lily,” was introduced into cultivation in England from the Cape as far back as 1692, and was figured by Commelin of Amsterdam in 1697.

In South Africa the plant is characteristic of the vegetation found on high mountain ranges. It usually occurs on well-drained slopes.

It is a herbaceous plant with a tuberous rootstock from which 6-10 broad strap-shaped leaves arise. The lower stalk is about a metre high, and bears an umbel of 20-50 handsome blue flowers.

Description:—Rootstock short, tuberous, with fleshy cylindric roots. Leaves dark green, 6-10, basal, 20-60 cm. long, 2-4 cm. broad, strap-shaped, obtuse, glabrous. Peduncle O·25-1 metre high, terete, glabrous. Inflorescence a many-flowered umbel. Spathe-valves 2·5 cm. long, 2 cm. broad at the base, ovate, acuminate, withering in the mature inflorescence. Floral-bracts 2·7 cm. long, linear. Pedicels about 6 cm. long, terete, jointed at the apex. Flowers blue; perianth-tube 1·7 cm. long, 6 mm. in diameter; lobes 2-5 cm. long, 9 mm. broad, oblanceolate, obtuse. Stamens inserted at the throat of the perianth-tube; filaments 2·5-3 cm. long, arcuate; anthers oblong. Fruit a triquetrous capsule.

F.P.S.A., 1920.

2.

K.A. Lansdell del.

ALOE GLOBULIGEMMA, I. B. POLE EVANS.

Plate 2.

ALOE GLOBULIGEMMA.

Transvaal.

Liliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.

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

Aloe globuligemma, Pole Evans in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa, vol. v. pp. 30-32, Pls. x., xi.

This remarkable Aloe was collected by Messrs. Wickens and Pienaar in M‘Phathlele’s Location in the Pietersburg District during January, 1914. Specimens brought to the Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria, flowered during July and August of the same year.

In M‘Phathlele’s Location the plant occurs in vast numbers in a very gregarious manner on the open sandy plains. In fact, it is not uncommon to find long, continuous belts of thickly crowded plants extending for two or three hundred yards in length. The plant is typical of the Low Veld and the river valleys which run from the Zoutpansberg into the Limpopo basin.

At first the racemes are furnished with widely separated spherical to globular flower-buds which develop with considerable slowness.

The unopened flowers are rich nopal red (R.C.S.), tinged with green at the tips. When open, the flowers become a sulphur-yellow (R.C.S.).

Our illustration was made from a plant in the Aloe collection at the Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria.

Description:—A succulent, stemless plant. Leaves 16-23 in a dense rosette, glaucous, erect-spreading, 45-50 cm. long, 8-9 cm. broad at the base, lanceolate-ensiform, acuminate, acute and recurved at the apex, unspotted, somewhat flat at the base and canaliculate above, with cartilaginous wavy and toothed margins; teeth pale brown and at right angles to the margins, 1·5-2 mm. long, and about 8-9 mm. apart, deltoid, recurved. Inflorescence a panicle, with 5-7 spreading horizontal to oblique branches with a few small deltoid-acute empty bracts at the base. Peduncle 06-1 metre high, stout, glaucous, naked. Racemes densely flowered, 22-40 cm. long. Flowers secund, all pointing towards the centre of the inflorescence and at the same time slightly deflexed; young buds distinctly globular; in open flowers nopal-red (R.C.S.), green at the tips; mature flowers sulphur-yellow (R.C.S.) and tinged with red towards the base. Floral-bracts reflexed, 5-6 mm. long, ovate-cuspidate, scariose, pellucid. Pedicels recurved, 3-4 mm. long. Perianth 25 mm. long, cylindrical-ventricose; outer segments free for 15-17 mm., obtuse and recurved at the apex, 3-5-veined; inner segments obtuse, recurved, tipped with auburn (R.C.S.) at the apex, with 3 inner veins. Stamens exserted for 11 mm.; filaments slightly recurved, the exposed portion chestnut-brown (R.C.S.) to black. Anthers mars-orange (R.C.S.). Style pale sulphur-yellow (R.C.S.), stout, recurved. Capsule shortly stipitate, 23 mm. long, 13 mm. in diameter, oblong-ovoid.

Plate 2.—Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, lower part of spike; Fig. 3, apex of spike.

F.P.S.A., 1920.

3.

K. A. Lansdell del.

ARCTOTIS DECURRENS, JACQ.

Plate 3.

ARCTOTIS FOSTERI.[A]

Clanwilliam.

Compositae. Tribe Arctotideae.

Arctotis, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 458.

Arctotis Fosteri, N.E. Br.

Arctotus Fosteri; Herbacea, 60-90 cm. alta. Folia inferiora lyrato-pinnatisecta, 30-40 cm. longa, 7-9 cm. lata, longe petiolata, ambitu obovato-oblonga, lobis lateralibus utrinque 3-4, oblongis subacutis dentatis, lobo terminali latissime ovato obtuso grandidentato; folia superiora sessilia, lanceolata, acuta, subintegra; omnia supra parce pubescentia, subtus albo-lanata. Pedunculi 17-19 cm. longi, striati, pubescentes. Capitula 7-9 cm. diametro. Involucri bracteae exteriores ovatae, subulato-caudatae, virides; interiores oblongo-obovatae, obtusae, apice membranaceae, rubescentes. Radii flores acuti, albi vel carnei, subtus purpurei, quisque basi maculo nigro et aurantiaco instructi. Disci flores nigro-brunnei, antheribus luteia. Pappi squamae lanceolatae, acutae vel subobtusae. Ovarium villosum.—N. E. Brown.

Cape Province: Clanwilliam Division, near Clanwilliam, Foster.

This handsome species of Arctotis was raised in the Garden of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, from seed received in 1916 from Mr. C. Foster, of Clanwilliam, after whom I have much pleasure in naming it. The large size of the flower head and the delicate colouring of the rays make it worthy of a place in all South African Gardens. At Pretoria it flowers freely and has set mature seed.

Description:—A herbaceous perennial 60-90 cm. high. Leaves many, lyrate; lower leaves 30-40 cm. long, 7-9 cm. broad, lanceolate in outline, obtuse, produced at the base into a long petiole, sparsely pubescent on the upper surface, white-woolly on the lower surface; leaf-lobes about 4 cm. long, 1-5·2 cm. broad, oblong, obtuse, with toothed margins; the terminal lobe much larger, otherwise similar; petiole up to 16 cm. long, flat on the upper surface, convex beneath, sparsely glandular-pilose; upper leaves sessile, lanceolate, acute, sparsely pilose, with more or less entire margins. Peduncles pale in colour at the base, gradually becoming indian purple (R.C.S.) towards the apex, 17-19 cm. long, terete, striate, pilose, the hairs becoming reddish and denser towards the apex. Capitulum solitary, 7-9 cm. in diameter when fully expanded. Involucral bracts many-seriate; the outer green, ovate, with a hairy subulate appendage; the inner reddish and membranous at the apex. Receptacle slightly convex. Ray-florets female. Corolla limb white or shrimp-pink (R.C.S.) above, with a golden-yellow and purple spot near the base, and eugenia red to vandyke red (R.C.S.) beneath. Pappus of several membranous scales as long as the corolla-tube. Ovary with a dense tuft of basal hairs. Disc-florets hermaphrodite. Corolla-tube 4-5 mm. long, campanulate above, cylindrical below; lobes lanceolate with black tips. Pappus of several membranous scales about half length of the corolla-tube. Ovary villous, with a dense basal tuft of hairs. Fruit villous, crowned with the persistent pappus scales.—E. Percy Phillips.

Plate 3.—Fig. 1, portion of ray-floret; Fig. 2, pappus-scale of ray-floret; Fig. 3, disc-floret; Fig. 4, pappus-scale of disc-floret; Fig. 5, apex of style showing the stigmas; Fig. 6, fruit; Fig. 7, involucral-bracts (all enlarged).

F.P.S.A., 1920.

4.

K. A. Lansdell del.

CYRTANTHUS ANGUSTIFOLIUS, AIT.

Plate 4.

CYRTANTHUS CONTRACTUS.[B]

Transvaal.

Amaryllidaceae. Tribe Amarylleae.

Cyrtanthus, Ait.; Benth. et Hook. f. Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 729.

Cyrtanthus contractus, N.E. Br.

Cyrtanthus contractus; Bulbus 4-6 cm. diametro, ovoideus, brunneus. Folia 2-3, adscendentia, 30-50 cm. longa, 8-12 mm. lata, linearia, longe et acutissime acuminata, basi in petiolum teretem angustata, glabra. Pedunculus 18 cm. vel ultra longus, ad 1 cm. diametro, teres, fistularis, glaber, purpurascens, ad apicem 4-10-florus. Bracteae 4·5-5 cm. longae, basi 8 mm. lati, lineari-attenuatae, membranaceae. Pedicelli adacendentes, 2-4 cm. longi, rubri. Perianthium nutante, coccineum; tubus 5-6 cm. longus, ad medium leviter ventricosum et circa 8 mm. diametro, basi longe et valde contractus et circa 1·5-2 mm. diametro; lobi 1·3 to 1·5 cm. longi, 7 mm. lati, elliptico-ovati, acuti. Stamina perianthii lobis breviora; antherae luteae. Ovarium 1 cm. longum, ovoideum. Stylus inclusus, stigmatibus recurvis. Semina complanata, atrata.—N. E. Brown.

Transvaal: on kopjes near Mooi Plaates farm, in the vicinity of Pretoria, Miss J. Stuart.

The specimens from which our drawing was made were collected by Miss J. Stuart of Pretoria, on the slopes of stony kopjes near the farm “Mooi Plaates,” about 5 miles out of Pretoria. During the spring months the plant is very conspicuous on the kopjes when it flowers freely, usually after the grass has been burnt off, and from this it derives its common name of “Fire Lily.”

Description:—Bulb 4-6 cm. in diameter, ovoid; tunics brown, membranous. Leaves 2-3, contemporary with or appearing after the flowers, 30-50 cm. long, 0·8-1·2 cm. broad, linear, acuminate, acute, tapering to a terete petiole above the flattened base, glabrous. Peduncle vandyke red (R.C.S.), 18 cm. long, lengthening in the fruit, 10 mm. in diameter, terete, hollow, glabrous. Spathe-valves 4·5-5 cm. long, 8 mm. broad near the base, linear, acute, membranous, glabrous. Inflorescence, a 4-10-flowered umbel. Flowers pendulous, scarlet-red to carmine (R.C.S.), faintly scented; pedicels 2-4 cm. long, strawberry-pink (R.C.S.), jointed at the apex; perianth-tube 5-6 cm. long, tubular, narrowed at the base, with an inflated portion about the middle; lobes 1·3-1·5 cm. long, 7 mm. broad, ovate-ellipsoid, acute, with a small tuft of white hairs on the inner surface just below the apex. Stamens inserted just below the throat, a little shorter than the perianth-lobes; anthers chrome-yellow (R.C.S.), oblong. Ovary 1 cm. long, 0·5 cm. in diameter, ovoid; style about the length of the perianth-tube, included; stigmas recurved. Seeds black, flattened.—E. Percy Phillips.

Plate 4.—Figs. 1 and 2, anthers back and side view; Fig. 3, apex of the perianth, showing the tufts of hairs.

F.P.S.A., 1920.

5.

K. A. Lansdell del.

GERBERA JAMESONI, BOLUS.

Plate 5.

GERBERA JAMESONI.

Transvaal.

Compositae. Tribe Mutisiaceae.

Gerbera, Gronov.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 497.

Gerbera Jamesoni, Bolus; Gard. Chron., 1889, vol. 5, p. 772. fig. 122; Bot. Mag. t. 7087.

This plant, the “Barberton Daisy,” has attracted much attention in recent years as an addition to the herbaceous garden.

It was first discovered in the Transvaal by the collector Rehmann about 1878, and later by the Hon. R. Jameson on the mountains round Barberton. In 1889 it flowered at Kew Gardens and was illustrated in the Gardener’s Chronicle for that year. Shortly afterwards a coloured plate and description appeared in the Botanical Magazine (t. 7087). The specific name was proposed by the late Dr. Bolus, who himself collected the species at Barberton.

A mass of these plants in full bloom is very striking, the scarlet rays standing out in strong contrast to the green leaves.

The specimen from which the present illustration was made flowered at the Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria.

Description:—Rootstock perennial. Leaves basal, numerous, 22-45 cm. long, 5-10 cm. broad, somewhat oblong in general outline, deeply lobed, with the terminal lobe broadly ovate, acute, pubescent on both surfaces, especially on the veins beneath; petiole 25-40 cm. long, terete, pilose, tinged with red at the base. Peduncle 25-40 cm. long, terete, pilose, bearing a solitary capitulum. Capitulum 8-10 cm. in diameter when fully expanded. Involucral-bracts about 3-seriate, 1-1·5 cm. long, lanceolate, acuminate, acute, woolly. Receptacle flat, naked. Ray-florets female, scarlet to spectrum-red (R.C.S.); lower limb represented by 2 linear strongly reflexed lobes. Ovary glandular-pubescent. Disc-florets hermaphrodite. Corolla bilabiate; tube 7 mm. long, cylindrical, glabrous; anterior limb of 2 linear recurved lobes; posterior limb 3-toothed, spreading. Ovary 6 mm. long, cylindrical, glandular-pubescent; stigma bifid.

Plate 5.—Fig. 1, ray-floret; Fig. 2, disc-floret; Fig. 3, apex of style, showing the two stigmas.

F.P.S.A., 1920.

6.

K. A. Lansdell del.

GLADIOLUS PSITACCINUS, H.K., VAR. COOPERI, B. K. R.

Plate 6.

GLADIOLUS PSITTACINUS, var. COOPERI.

Basutoland and Transvaal.

Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.

Gladiolus, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 709.

Gladiolus psittacinus, Hook f. var. Cooperi, Bkr. Bot. Mag. t. 6202; Fl. Cap. vi. 158.

This striking species of Gladiolus belongs to the section Dracocephali of the genus which contains some seven species all characterised by having the upper segments hooded. It is a favourite with cultivators, and has also been taken up by nurserymen who grow blooms for sale. Like a great many of our beautiful native species, it was left to Kew Gardens to bring the species to public notice.

Corms of this Gladiolus were brought to England by Mr. Thomas Cooper, who collected in South Africa for Mr. Wilson Saunders. It first flowered at Kew in 1872, when it was described and figured.

The species is easy of cultivation, and flowers at Pretoria in November. Apart from the interest it is to gardeners generally, it should be of special interest to breeders, as there seems little doubt that some very fine hybrids could be raised from this species.

Description:—A tall plant O·9-1·2 metres high. Corm red, 2·5-6 cm. in diameter, globose; tunics chartaceous, broad, ultimately breaking up into fibres. Leaves 6-8, 60-90 cm. long, 2-3 cm. broad, ensiform, acute, slightly narrowed at the base, glabrous, rigid. Inflorescence a lax 5-10-flowered spike, 20 cm. or more long. Spathe-valves 5-9 cm. long, oblong-lanceolate, sub-acute, kildare-green (R.C.S.). Flowers large, hooded, lemon-yellow (R.C.S.), striped with scarlet-red (R.C.S.). Perianth-tube curved, 5-6 cm. long, trumpet-shaped, glabrous; three upper lobes forming a hood 2-2·5 cm. broad, ovate or obovate, acute, with a distinct claw; the posterior lobe crimson without, lighter in colour within, smaller than the other two upper lobes; the three lower lobes smaller than the upper lobes and strongly reflexed; the anterior lobe 3-4 cm. long, O·5-2 cm. broad, broadly-lanceolate, acute, lemon-yellow (R.C.S.) in the lower half; the lateral lower lobes 2-2·5 cm. long, 0·4-0·5 cm. broad, lanceolate, acute. Stamens inserted at the base of the perianth-tube, shorter than the upper lobes, arcuate. Ovary ellipsoid; style slightly longer than the stamens, arcuate; stigmas terete, pubescent on the stigmatic surface. Capsule 2-2·5 cm. long, ellipsoid. Seeds discoid.

Plate 6.—Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, apex of style, showing the three stigmas; Figs. 3 and 4, back and side view of stamens.

F.P.S.A., 1920.

7.

K. A. Lansdell del.

LEUCADENDRON STOKOEI, PHILLIPS.

8.

K. A. Lansdell del.

LEUCADENDRON STOKOEI, PHILLIPS.

Plates 7 and 8.

LEUCADENDRON STOKOEI.

Cape Province.

Proteaceae. Tribe Proteeae.

Leucadendron, R. Br.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 169.

Leucadendron Stokoei, Phillips sp. nov.

Leucadendron Stokoei; Rami et ramuli glabri. Folia 7-8·5 cm. longa, 1-2·1 cm. lata, oblonga vel oblongo-lanceolata, apice obtusa, basi paullo angustata, glabra. Inflorescentia ♂ 2 cm. longa, 2·5 cm. lata; bractae involucri 1·1 cm. longae, apice obtusae, glabrae viscidaeque, eximae reflexae; bractae floris 1 mm. longae, lanceolatae, acuminatae, apice subacutae, basi villosae. Inflorescentia ♀ 2·5 cm. longa, 1·7 cm. lata; bractae involucri reflexae; bractae floris 6 mm. longae, 1·1 cm. latae, apice obtusae, sericeae. Fructus 7 mm. longus, 6 mm. latus, obovatus, anguste alatus.

Cape Province: Caledon Division, Standford, near Caledon, Stokoe in National Herbarium.

The remarkable group of South African plants—the Proteaceae—still continues to yield interesting novelties, though it was monographed as recently as 1910. This is especially true of the genus Leucadendron, on which much work remains to be done.

The specimens from which our illustration was made were collected by Mr. T. P. Stokoe in the Klein River Mountains at Sinkerhausgat, near Standford, in the Caledon Division. Mr. Stokoe has made some interesting discoveries in this region, amongst which was this new Leucadendron which he forwarded to the Division of Botany in September, 1918. It is quite distinct from any other species of Leucadendron, inasmuch as the male inflorescence is surrounded by large bracts giving it the appearance of a Protea.

Description:—Branches and branchlets glabrous. Leaves 7-8·5 cm. long, 1-2·1 cm. broad, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, bluntly mucronate, slightly narrowed at the base, glabrous, very finely glandular when seen under a lens; leaves surrounding the inflorescence longer. Male inflorescence hidden by the upper leaves and quite surrounded by brown bracts, shortly peduncled, 2 cm. long, 2·5 cm. in diameter; the inner bracts 1·1 cm. long, oblong, obtuse, glabrous, viscid, longer or as long as the inflorescence; the outer situated on the short peduncle, viscid and reflexed; receptacle 7 mm. long, 8 mm. broad, subglobose. Floral bracts 1 mm. long, lanceolate, acuminate, subacute, villous at the base. Perianth 2 mm. long, glabrous. Stigma clavate, much thicker than the style. Female inflorescence hidden by the upper leaves, very shortly stalked, 2·5 cm. long, 1·7 cm. broad, the short peduncle bearing brown reflexed bracts; receptacle 1·6 cm. long, 3 mm. broad, cylindrical. Floral bracts 6 mm. long, 1·1 cm. broad, transversely oblong, villous above. Fruiting head 3·5-4 cm. long, 3·5 cm. in diameter; scales 1·5 cm. long, 1·2 cm. broad, suborbicular, slightly narrowed at the base, tomentose without, except near the apex. Fruits 7 mm. long, 6 mm. broad, obovate in outline, flat on one side, convex on the other, honeycombed, with a narrow membranous wing.

Plate 7.—Fig. 1, male inflorescence; Fig. 2, longitudinal section of male inflorescence.

Plate 8.—Fig. 1, young female inflorescence; Fig. 2, longitudinal section of female inflorescence; Fig. 3, fruiting head; Fig. 4, floral bract × 4; Fig. 5, fruit × 4.

F.P.S.A., 1920.

9.

K. A. Lansdell del.

TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA PARV.

Plate 9.

TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA.

Cape Province, Natal.

Liliaceae. Tribe Allieae.

Tulbaghia, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. 798.

Tulbaghia violacea, Harv. Bot. Mag. t. 3555. Fl. Cap. vol. vi. 407.

This beautiful little Tulbaghia has a special interest attached to it, inasmuch as it flowered in Baron von Ludwig’s garden at the Cape of Good Hope, and was there illustrated and described by Harvey, who sent his description and drawing to the Botanical Magazine for publication. In this respect it differs from most of the other Cape plants, which were described and figured from specimens grown in Europe.

The present illustration was made from specimens cultivated at the Botanic Gardens, Durban, Natal, from tubers presented by Mrs. Todd of Pietermaritzburg. Notwithstanding the unpleasant odour of garlic, the species is worth cultivation. It is commonly known as the “Wild Garlic.”

Description:—Rootstock tuberous. Leaves crowded; basal leaves rudimentary and membranous; upper leaves 6-10, erect, 20-30 cm. long, 5-8 mm. broad, linear, acute, glabrous, concave on the upper surface, rounded beneath. Peduncles erect, 30-60 cm. long, terete. Inflorescence a 10-20-flowered umbel. Spathe-valves 2-2·5 cm. long, 5 mm. broad at the base, ovate-linear, acuminate, acute, membranous. Pedicles 2·5-4 cm. long, terete. Flowers pale ampare-purple to light haryense-violet (R.C.S.). Perianth-tube 1·1-1·5 cm. long, 4 mm. in diameter, cylindrical, slightly inflated at the base; lobes 1-1·1 cm. long, 3-5 mm. broad, elliptic or lanceolate, acute or obtuse. Corona-lobes 3, 1·5 mm. long, opposite the inner segments. Stamens subsessile, in 2 whorls about halfway down the perianth-tube; anthers sub-globose. Ovary sessile, sub-globose; style 2 mm. long, thick; stigma capitate.

Plate 9.—Fig. 1, perianth laid open to show corona lobes and stamens × 1½.

F.P.S.A., 1920.

10.

K. A. Lansdell del.

RICHARDIA ANGUSTILOBA, SCHOTT.

Plate 10.

RICHARDIA ANGUSTILOBA.

Transvaal, Basutoland.

Aroideae. Tribe Philodendreae.

Richardia, Kunth.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 982.

Richardia angustiloba, Schott in Journ. Bot. 1865, 35; Fl. Cap. vii. 37.

The specimen figured was first mentioned in the Gardener’s Chronicle, 1892, as Calla Pentlandii, and two years later in the same publication was again brought to notice as Richardia Pentlandii, under which name it was described and figured in the Botanical Magazine. Mr. N. E. Brown, who monographed the genus for the Flora Capensis, considers it the same as Richardia angustiloba which was described as early as 1865. It was introduced into cultivation by Mr. R. Whyte, Pentland House, Lee, who raised flowers in 1892, and exhibited it at a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society and was awarded a first-class certificate.

Specimens of the tubers were taken to Kew by Mr. E. E. Galpin in May, 1892.

Our present illustration was made from plants flowered by Mr. H. H. Wickens, Officer in Charge of the Union Buildings Garden, Pretoria.

Description:—Leaves dark green, unspotted; petiole 30-60 cm. long, terete, glabrous; lamina 22-30 cm. long, 11 cm. broad at the widest part, ovate, acute, and produced into a filiform appendage at the apex 1·2 cm. long, sagittate at the base, glabrous, with the midrib prominent beneath and channelled above. Peduncle over 1 metre high, longer than the leaves, terete, glabrous. Spathe gamboge-yellow, dark purple at the base inside, 10-14 cm. long, 4-4·5 cm. broad across the middle, 7-10 cm. across the mouth, loosely convolute for two-thirds of its length, then expanding into a broad, nearly horizontal limb produced into a subulate tip 1·5 cm. long and with recurved margins. Spadix yellow, 4·5 cm. long, cylindrical. Ovaries with subsessile stigmas, pale greenish-white. Staminodia none; anthers yellow. Calla Pentlandii, Gard. Chron. 1892, p. 124; Richardia Pentlandii, Gard. Chron. 1894, p. 590; Bot. Mag. t. 7397.

Plate 10.—Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, spathe removed to show the spadix.

F.P.S.A., 1920.

11.

K. A. Lansdell del.

FREESIA REFRACTA, KLATT.

Plate 11.

FREESIA Sparrmannii var. FLAVA.

Cape Province.

Iridaceae. Tribe Ixieae.

Freesia, Klatt; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 704.

Freesia Sparrmannii, N.E. Br. var. flava, N.E. Br.

Gladiolus Sparrmanni, Thunb. in Kongl. Vet. Acad. Handlingar, 1814, p. 189, t. 9A, and Fl. Cap. ed Schultes, p. 49.

According to the Flora Capensis the only species in the genus Freesia is F. refracta, Klatt, which is a native of the eastern districts of Albany, Bathurst, etc., and is characterised by having (among other characters) the slender lower part of the perianth-tube shorter than the upper broader part and not more than twice as long as the bracts. But there are at least three other species found in other regions that distinctly differ in habit or in the tube of the flower or in both. One of them collected by Burchell in Bechuanaland and at present undescribed, has a very long tube. Another is a plant found in the coast districts of Swellendam, Riversdale, Ladismith, etc., figured and described by Thunberg under the name of Gladiolus Sparrmanni, upon which I found the species Freesia Sparrmannii. The reference to this figure is omitted by Schultes in his edition of Thunberg’s Fl. Cap., and is not quoted by Baker, but it accurately agrees with the plant Zeyher collected along the Buffeljagts River in Swellendam Division and distributed under No. 4027. It conspicuously differs from F. refracta by the very much longer slender part to the perianth tube, and although Thunberg’s plant and that collected by Zeyher have purplish-tinted flowers, I place the plant here figured as a yellow variety of it, because I find that the late P. MacOwan, in a letter preserved at Kew, gives the following particulars concerning this species, which he also considers distinct from F. refracta. He writes: “All along the coast from Cape Point towards Agulhas, notably near Mossel Bay, the other Freesia grows wild. I have never seen it in my Eastern Province peregrinations.... Its colour varies very much, from pale golden daffodil tint to pure white, and is either with or without purplish stains on the outside of the perianth-segments. Here, at the Hort. C.B.S., we paid much attention to this lovely bulb, grew it year after year, roguing out all the yellow and purple-stained individuals and sowing the whitest. This is the ‘Freesia refracta alba’ of gardens.”

This note gives the origin of F. refracta var. alba, Baker, Handb. Irid. p. 167, which should now be called F. Sparrmannii var. alba, for it certainly is not the same as the true F. refracta, and Thunberg’s original name must be upheld.

The plant here figured is doubtless the pale golden form mentioned by MacOwan, and it differs from the yellow-flowered F. xanthospila by the very long slender part of its perianth-tube.—N. E. Brown.

Our illustration was made from specimens grown in the Gardens of the Division of Botany from bulbs presented by Mr. J. Shand, of Ladismith, Cape Province.

Description:—Corm about 4 cm. long, 3 cm. in diameter, produced into a short neck and densely covered with fibres. Leaves basal, 6-8 cm. long, ·5-1 cm. broad, acute, somewhat sheathing at the base, glabrous. Peduncle 9·5 cm. long, with the upper portion bent at a right angle. Spathe-valves 1 cm. long, ovate, subacuminate, acute, membranous in the upper portion. Perianth-tube 5·2 cm. long, 1·2 cm. in diameter above, campanulate in the upper portion and becoming slenderly tubular in the lower half, yellow; lobes 1·2 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, ovate-oblong, or subrotund, rounded above, yellow. Style 5-6 cm. long, filiform, 6-lobed; lobes 5 mm. long, linear, somewhat spathulate at the apex.—E. Percy Phillips.

Plate 11.—Fig. 1, anther; Fig. 2, style arms.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

12.

K. A. Lansdell del.

CRASSULA FALCATA, WILLD.

Plate 12.

CRASSULA FALCATA.

Cape Province.

Crassulaceae.

Crassula, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. i. p. 657.

Crassula falcata, Wendland, Bot. Beobachtungen, p. 44 (1798), Willd. Enum. p. 341 (1809); Fl. Cap. vol. ii. p. 338.