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Title: Flowering plants of South Africa vol. 4
Author: Pole Evans, I. B. (Illtyd Buller)
Language: English
As this book started as an ASCII text book there are no pictures available.
*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Flowering plants of South Africa vol. 4" ***
AFRICA VOL. 4 ***
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. IV.
[Illustration]
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, LONDON.
SOUTH AFRICA:
THE SPECIALITY PRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA, LTD.,
P.O. BOX 3958, JOHANNESBURG; P.O. BOX 388, CAPETOWN.
1924.
[_All rights reserved._]
TO
PERCIVAL ROSS FRAMES, ESQUIRE, C.M.G.
LOVER, COLLECTOR, AND MOST SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATOR OF HIS COUNTRY’S
SUCCULENT PLANTS, THIS VOLUME OF “THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF SOUTH
AFRICA” IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED IN RECOGNITION OF HELP MOST
GENEROUSLY GIVEN.
DIVISION OF BOTANY, PRETORIA.
_October, 1924._
[Illustration: _121._]
PLATE 121.
STAPELIA FLAVOPURPUREA.
_Cape Province._
ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe STAPELIEAE.
STAPELIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 784.
=Stapelia flavopurpurea=, _Marloth in Trans. S. Afr. Phil. Soc._ vol.
18, p. 48, t. 5, fig. 1; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. i, p. 969.
Representatives of this characteristic South African genus have been
figured on Plates 26 and 72, and we have pleasure in illustrating for
the first time in colour a species which is unique among the species of
_Stapelia_. It differs from all the known species in having clavate
hairs on the disc. The flowers, though much smaller than many in the
genus, are very beautiful, and lack the unpleasant smell so
characteristic of stapelias.
It is not a common species, and as far as our records go has only been
collected in the Tanqua Karroo by Dr. Marloth, and recently the Division
of Botany received specimens from Mr. E. Anderson, Matjesfontein. This
flowered at Pretoria in February 1923, and our Plate was prepared from
these specimens.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ 4 cm. high, 4-angled, minutely pubescent.
_Rudimentary leaves_ 2 mm. long, deltoid, acute. _Flowers_ 1-3 together
arising about 2/3 up the stem. _Pedicels_ 1·7 cm. long, terete, minutely
pubescent. _Sepals_ 5 mm. long, linear-lanceolate, acute, minutely
pubescent. _Corolla_ 3·6 cm. across when expanded; lobes 1·5 cm. long,
ovate-lanceolate, strongly revolute, so that they appear almost linear,
acute, strongly rugose; tube saucer-shaped, covered with numerous
clavate hairs about 1 mm. long. _Outer corona lobes_ 4·5 mm. long,
3-lobed, concave on the inner face, with the middle lobe narrower and
longer than the side lobes and with the side lobes sometimes bifid or
trifid. _Inner corona lobes_ 5 mm. long, incumbent over the anthers,
2-horned, with the upper horn erect and curving outwards above, and
with the lower horn erect-spreading shorter than the upper horn
(National Herb. 2712).
* * * * *
PLATE 121.--Fig. 1, surface view of flower; Fig. 2, median longitudinal
section of flower; Fig. 3, sepal; Fig. 4, petal; Fig. 5, outer corona;
Fig. 6, inner corona and pollen sac; Fig. 7, pollinia.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _122._]
PLATE 122.
ANSELLIA GIGANTEA.
_Transvaal, Natal, Portuguese East Africa._
ORCHIDACEAE. Tribe VANDEAE.
ANSELLIA, _Lindl._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 537.
=Ansellia gigantea=, _Reichb. f. in Linnaea_, vol. xx. p. 673; _Fl.
Cap._ vol. v. sect. 3, p. 62.
This epiphytic orchid belongs to a tropical African genus of about 6
species, and is the only representative which occurs in South Africa.
The flowers are a pale lemon colour, sometimes barred or blotched with
brown. Specimens were sent to England from Natal prior to 1857, and
might be considered, as was suggested by Hooker and the late Dr. Bolus,
a colour variety of the tropical African _Ansellia africana_. Mr. Rolfe
in the _Flora Capensis_ considers it to be a distinct species, as
described by Reichenbach, and we have followed his naming. The figure
given by Bolus (_Ic. Orch. Austro-Afric._ 11. t. 29) represents a colour
form different from that reproduced here.
The plant is found in the mountainous parts of the eastern Transvaal, on
the coast of Natal, and near Delagoa Bay. Our figure was prepared from a
specimen which flowered at the Division of Botany in June 1922, and
which was collected by Mrs. Sinclair Allen on the Lebombo Mountains in
Swaziland.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ elongate, terete or somewhat sulcate, 1/3-1 ft.
long, with 6 to many leaves on the upper part or near the apex and
numerous imbricate membranous sheaths below. _Leaves_ distichous,
linear-oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, subacute, ¼-1 ft. long, ½-1½ in.
broad, with 3-5 prominent veins. _Panicle_ terminal, ½-1 ft. long,
usually with several branches, rarely reduced to a simple raceme, with a
few short sheaths below. _Bracts_ triangular-ovate, subacute, 1/6 in.
long. _Pedicels_ slender, 1-1¼ in. long. _Flowers_ medium-sized, light
yellow, more or less barred or blotched with light dusky brown; sepals
and petals spreading, oblong or elliptic-oblong, obtuse, about ¾ in.
long; lip 3-lobed, rather shorter than the sepals; side lobes erect,
oblong, obtuse; front lobe recurved, elliptic-oblong, obtuse or
emarginate; disc with 3 prominent crenulate keels; column clavate, 1/3
in. long (National Herb. Pretoria 2601).
* * * * *
PLATE 122.--Figs. 1, 2, front and side view of flower; Fig. 3, lip; Fig.
4, column; Fig. 5, pollinia.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _123._]
PLATE 123.
PACHYPODIUM SAUNDERSII.
_Transvaal, Swaziland._
APOCYNACEAE. Tribe ECHITIDEAE.
PACHYPODIUM, _Lindl._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 722.
Pachypodium Saundersii, _N. E. Br. in Kew Bulletin 1892_, 126; _Fl. Cap._
vol. iv. sect. i. p. 516.
It is with pleasure that we figure for the first time this species of
_Pachypodium_, which flowered at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in
1923, from tubers forwarded by Mr. J. Kirton, Pietersburg, Transvaal.
The genus _Pachypodium_ differs from _Adenium_ (see Plate 16) in having
a pair of spines at the base of the leaves, but the present species
agrees with _Adenium multiflorum_ in its general habit. Both have large
succulent stems, partly below the ground, from which the branches arise.
In _Pachypodium Saundersii_ the pollination mechanism is somewhat
complicated, but in what way the various structures function in this is
not quite clear. The flowers are protandrous and the anthers all
converge to a point. The base of the anther is provided with a pouch and
the filament with a ciliated hood, and these two structures form a cage
for the pollen. The stigma lies within this cage, and the style may
possibly elongate eventually, and thus push the pollen above the
anthers, as in the _Compositae_. The plant flowered freely in Pretoria,
but failed to fruit, and from this it may be assumed that
self-pollination does not take place.
DESCRIPTION:--_Inflorescence_ arising in an umbellate manner at apex of
stems, up to 11-flowered. _Sepals_ 4 mm. long, 3·5 mm. broad, ovate,
acuminate, acute, glabrous. _Corolla-tube_ 3·5 cm. long, cylindric and
1·2 cm. long below, with a subglobose base, then suddenly dilated and
narrowed towards the apex, glabrous without, pilose within; lobes 2·2
cm. long, 1·8 cm. broad in the widest part, straight on one side, very
convex and crisped on opposite side, subacuminate, acute. _Filament_ 3
mm. long, 2 mm. broad, ovate, with a ciliated hood at the base; anthers
6·7 mm. long, linear with a lanceolate, acute appendage 1·5 mm. long,
and a membranous pouch at the base. _Style_ 1·3 cm. long, terete,
glabrous; stigma club-shaped covered with a white opaque jelly-like
substance; ovary 3·5 mm. long, with a cupular disk at the base (National
Herb. 2736).
* * * * *
PLATE 123.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of the flower; Fig. 2,
stamen; Fig. 3, portion of style with the stigma; Fig. 4, the 2 carpels
with a cupular disk at the base.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _124._]
PLATE 124.
ALOE VERECUNDA.
_Transvaal._
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.
ALOE, _Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.
=Aloe verecunda=, _Pole Evans in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr._ vol. v. p. 703.
This _Aloe_ is another of the many species from the Transvaal described
within recent years by Dr. Pole Evans, and it is here figured for the
first time. Our Plate was prepared from plants collected by Mr. D. J.
Fouche in the Middleburg District, Transvaal, and which subsequently
flowered at the Division of Botany, Pretoria. The specimens on which Dr.
Pole Evans based his description were found by Mr. P. J. Pienaar on the
Wolkberg, near Haenertsberg, in the Northern Transvaal. In the natural
state it usually flowers towards the latter part of December, and the
dark red racemes are then very conspicuous. As soon as winter sets in,
the leaves wither and fall.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ short. _Leaves_ 8-10, distichous, deciduous, 25-35
cm. long, 8-10 mm. broad at the base, narrowly linear, distinctly
channelled, rounded at the back, with numerous minute raised white spots
at the base, armed along the edges with delicate white teeth 2-7 mm.
apart. _Peduncle_ stout, 25 cm. long, clothed with broad ovate shortly
cuspidate green empty bracts. _Raceme_ more or less capitate. _Bracts_
20 mm. long, 15 mm. broad, ovate, acute. _Pedicels_ 25 mm. long.
_Perianth_ peach-red to scarlet, greenish towards the apex, 26-30 mm.
long, 12 mm. in diameter, straight, very markedly 3-angled, contracted
towards the mouth; segments free. _Style_ and _stamens_ not or scarcely
exserted (National Herb. 2743).
PLATE 124.--Fig. 1, portion of leaf showing white spots; Fig. 2, median
longitudinal section of the flower; Fig. 3, outer perianth-segment; Fig.
4, inner perianth-segment; Fig. 5, anther with part of the filament;
Fig. 6, top of style showing the simple stigma.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _125._]
PLATE 125.
GLADIOLUS LUDWIGII var. CALVATUS.
_Transvaal._
IRIDACEAE. Tribe GLADIOLEAE.
GLADIOLUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.
=Gladiolus Ludwigii=, _Pappe._ var. calvatus, _Baker Fl. Cap._ vol. vi.
p. 150.
This _Gladiolus_ belongs to the same section of the genus as _G.
Rehmanni_, figured on Plate 20. The variety _calvatus_ has up to the
present only been recorded from the Pretoria and Barberton Districts of
the Transvaal, but the species is a native of Natal, East Griqualand and
the Transkei. The specimens from which our illustration was made were
collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at Brits, and were found
growing in deep black turf soil. The variety is also figured in the
_Botanical Magazine_, t. 6291, and a comparison of that plate with the
one reproduced here will show a difference in the colouring of the
flowers, but Dr. Pole Evans states that the pale yellow and speckled
forms grow together and are undoubtedly the same. The yellow-flowered
form was introduced into cultivation in England in 1877, and both this
and our plant differ from the species in being glabrous.
DESCRIPTION:--_Plant_ about 1 m. high. _Old corm_ 4 cm. in diameter, 1·5
cm. thick, disc-like; new corm more or less globose on the old corm.
_Produced leaves_ about 5, the longest up to almost 1 m. long, the free
portion of uppermost leaf about 30 cm. long; all 0·8-1·8 cm. broad,
strap-shaped, narrowing to the apex, acute or obtuse, equitant at the
base, 12-15-nerved with the main nerves subprominent and with
cartilaginous margins, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ densely many-flowered,
almost 30 cm. long. _Outer spathe valve_ 3·7 cm. long, 2 cm. broad,
ovate, acuminate, acute, 3-keeled below, with membranous margins,
glabrous; inner spathe-valve very similar to the outer, but strongly
2-keeled. _Perianth-tube_ 1·5 cm. long, slightly curved; the upper
perianth-lobe 4·2 cm. long, 1·8 cm. broad, elliptic, shortly apiculate;
two upper lateral lobes 3·5 cm. long, 2 cm. broad, ovate-elliptic,
shortly apiculate at the apex; lowermost lobe 3·2 cm. long, 1·3 cm.
broad, elliptic-ovate, minutely apiculate; two lower lateral lobes 2·5
cm. long, 6 mm. broad, linear-oblong, apiculate. _Filaments_ 1·2 cm.
long, terete, glabrous; anthers 1·25 cm. long, linear, somewhat
sagittate at the base. _Style_ 2·5 cm. long, terete, glabrous; stigmas 8
mm. long, linear, broadening to the apex (National Herb. 2731).
* * * * *
PLATE 125.--Fig. 1, leaf; Fig. 2, portion of leaf showing ribs; Fig. 3,
median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 4, inner spathe-valve; Fig.
5, outer spathe-valve; Fig. 6, cross-section of ovary; Fig. 7, style and
stigmas; Fig. 8, stamen.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _126._]
PLATE 126.
VELTHEIMIA ROODEAE.
_Cape Province._
LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.
VELTHEIMIA, _Gled._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 811.
=Veltheimia Roodeae=, _Phillips_, _sp. nov._, a _V. glauca_, Jacq.
foliis ovatis acuminatis et marginibus undulatis differt.
_Bulbus_ 13 cm. longus, 6 cm. latus. _Folia_ 12-15 cm. longa, basi 4-5
cm. lata, ovata, acuminata, apice acuta, marginibus undulatis, glabra.
_Pedunculus_ 12-15 cm. longus, 6 mm. latus. _Inflorescentia_ 3·5 cm.
longa. _Bracteae_ 1 cm. longae. _Pedicellus_ 1·5 mm. longus. _Tubus
perianthii_ 2·2 cm. longus, cylindricus, basi paullo globosus; lobi 1·5
mm. longi, 1·5 mm. lati, ovati, apice obtusi. _Filamenta_ 1 cm. longa;
antherae 2·25 mm. longae, oblongae. _Ovarium_ 1 cm. longum, 2·5 mm.
latum, sulcatum; stylus 1 cm. longus; stigma simplex.
As we find it impossible to place this plant into any of the known
species of the genus, we have decided to publish a description of it
under the name of _V. Roodeae_, in honour of Mrs. R. Rood of Van
Rhynsdorp, to whom our readers are greatly indebted for so many of the
rare plants we have previously figured. It differs in the shape of the
leaves from any of the species described in the _Flora Capensis_. They
are distinctly undulate.
_Veltheimia_ is a small genus of 3 species, none of which appears to
have been extensively gathered by recent botanical collectors. The first
known species, _V. viridifolia_, was described by Linneaus (as _Aletris
capensis_) in 1751, and was introduced into European cultivation in
1768, so that a species of the genus was known to botanical science over
150 years ago.
_V. viridifolia_, Jacq., does quite well under cultivation, but we have
not yet had an opportunity of growing the species here described.
DESCRIPTION:--Bulb 13 cm. long, 6 cm. in diameter, ellipsoid, covered
with membranous tunics, at the base with a disc-shaped rootstock 6 cm.
in diameter, 2·5 cm. thick, from which the roots arise. _Leaves_ 11 to a
bulb, 12-15 cm. long, 4·5 cm. broad near the base, ovate, acuminate,
acute, clasping at the base, with undulate margins and a broad thick
midrib beneath slightly raised, green and glaucous above, densely
reddish-spotted beneath, glabrous. _Peduncle_ as long as the leaves, 6
mm. in diameter, terete, reddish by being covered with close-set reddish
spots. _Inflorescence_ 3·5 cm. long. _Bracts_ 1 cm. long, almost
filiform. _Pedicels_ 1·5 mm. long. _Flowers_ somewhat reflexed;
perianth-tube 2·2 cm. long, 4 mm. in diameter, cylindric, faintly
globose and bent about the middle, white with reddish spots; lobes 1·5
mm. long, 1·5 mm. broad, ovate, obtuse. _Stamens_ fixed to the middle of
the perianth-tube; filaments 1 cm. long; anthers 2·25 mm. long, oblong.
_Ovary_ 1 cm. long, 2·5 mm. in diameter, in the middle spindle-shaped,
furrowed; style 1 cm. long, terete; stigma simple (National Herb. 2739).
* * * * *
PLATE 126.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of a flower; Fig. 2,
stamen; Fig. 3, pistil; Fig. 4, cross-section through the ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _127._]
PLATE 127.
STRUMARIA TRUNCATA.
_Cape Province._
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
STRUMARIA, _Jacq._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 728.
=Strumaria truncata=, _Jacq. Ic._ ii. t. 357; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 216.
_Strumaria_ is a small endemic South African genus, and five species
have been described in the _Flora Capensis_, all of which have been
figured by Jacquin in his _Icones Plantarum Rariorum_. Two of the
species are recorded from Little Namaqualand, but no locality is known
for the other three, nor do any specimens appear to exist in herbaria,
Jacquin’s figures and descriptions being all we know about them. It is
with particular pleasure, therefore, that we reproduce this illustration
of a species of this little-known genus, and our readers are again
indebted to Mrs. E. Rood of Van Rhynsdorp for sending us fresh material.
Our plant differs slightly from Jacquin’s figure, inasmuch as the
dilated portion of the style does not narrow towards the base and is
irregularly lobed above, but on this account we do not feel justified in
keeping it distinct from _Strumaria truncata_.
_Strumaria truncata_ is a charming little plant with an umbel of white,
sweet-smelling flowers, faintly tinged with pink (the _Flora Capensis_
states flowers “inodorous”). The bulbs received from Mrs. Rood are being
grown at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, and we feel sure once the
species becomes known it will be sought after by cultivators of our
South African bulbs.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 3 cm. in diameter, globose or ovoid, covered with
pale brown papery tunics, and produced into a distinct neck up to 3·5
cm. long. _Leaves_ 4-6, arising from a sheath, 2·2-4·5 cm. long, 1·2 cm.
broad, oblanceolate or oblong (strap-shaped), rounded at the apex,
glabrous. _Leaf-sheath_ 1·5-2 cm. in diameter, funnel-shaped, truncate,
fleshy, reddish. _Peduncle_ lateral, 15-23 cm. long, terete, glabrous.
_Spathe-valves_ reddish, 2-3·2 cm. long, longer or shorter than the
pedicels. _Pedicels_ slender, 1·2-2 cm. long, glabrous. _Inflorescence_
13-25-flowered; flowers white, faintly but sweet-scented. _Segments_ 1
cm. long, 3·6 mm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse. _Filaments_ connate into a
tube for 5 mm., then free for 7 mm., erect, glabrous; anthers 2·5 mm.
long, oblong, versatile. _Ovary_ 1·5 mm. long, globose, glabrous, with
about 5 ovules in each cell; style dilated, sharply 3-angled below and
united with filaments; free part of style 5·5 mm. long, terete; stigma
minutely 3-fid (National Herb., Pretoria, 2729).
* * * * *
PLATE 127.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of the flower; Fig. 2, a
perianth segment; Fig. 3, style, showing the dilated 3-angled lower
portion of the 3 stigmas; Fig. 4, a stamen.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _128._]
PLATE 128.
MIMETES ARGENTEA.
_Cape Province._
PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE.
MIMETES, _Salisb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 171.
Mimetes argentea, _Knight, Prot. 67_; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. i. p. 647.
We have previously figured species of _Mimetes_, viz. _M. palustris_
(Pl. 36), _M. hottentotica_ (Pl. 82) and _M. capitulata_ (Pl. 58), and a
comparison of the present Plate with the above will show that _M.
argentea_ differs from the former two species in the cylindric, not
swollen, stigma, and from the latter in the larger leaves and the
greater number of flowers in each head.
_M. argentea_, up to the time of the publication of the _Flora
Capensis_, was only known from specimens collected by Roxburgh, Masson
and Niven over one hundred years ago, and it was only recently that the
species was rediscovered. In May 1923, Mr. A. T. Prentice collected
specimens near Villiersdorp, very probably in the same locality visited
by Masson. Mr. Prentice writes: “They were found on the slopes of the
south (_i.e._ Villiersdorp) side of French Hoek Peak about 3000 ft.
There were about 50 trees, 3-6 ft. high, and the habit is different from
most of the _Proteaceae_ I have noticed. I do not know how to describe
it, but it is very open and something like a candelabra, branching all
round. The flower spikes all stick straight up, in fact it grows like
the advertised type of pruned apple-tree.” Mr. R. Hallack came across
the species on the Hottentot Holland Mountains, and in June last Mr. T.
P. Stokoe also collected it on the same mountain range. He had noted the
plant two years previously, but was unable to obtain it in flower. It is
from specimens forwarded by Mr. Stokoe that the present Plate was
prepared.
DESCRIPTION:--_Shrub_ 4 ft. high; branches velvety-tomentose. _Leaves_
1½-2½ in. long, 1-1½ in. broad, elliptic or oblong-elliptic, with a
subobtuse callus at the apex, entire, slightly narrowed to the base,
indistinctly 9-nerved, very densely tomentose with adpressed silky
hairs. _Heads_ subsessile, 1½ in. long, including the styles,
7-9-flowered, axillary; involucral bracts about 3-seriate, coriaceous,
the outer ovate-oblong, silky tomentose, the inner linear, long-villous;
receptacle densely setose with long weak hairs. _Perianth-tube_ very
short, rusty-villous; segments 1 in. long, linear, rusty-villous; limb
4½ in. long, villous. _Stamens_ 3 in. long; filaments swollen, fused
with the perianth anthers 2¾ in. long, linear; apical gland 1/8 in.
long, ovoid, acute. _Hypogynous scales_ 1¼ in. long, linear, subacute,
white. _Ovary_ ¾ in. long, oblong, pubescent; style 1½ in. long,
filiform, glabrous; stigma 3 in. long, linear, obtuse, furrowed, kneed
at the junction with the style (National Herb. 2728).
* * * * *
PLATE 128.--Fig. 1, a single head; Fig. 2, an involucral bract; Fig. 3,
a single flower; Fig. 4, complete perianth segment and a limb showing
position of the stamen; Fig. 5, stigma; Fig. 6, ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _129._]
PLATE 129.
POLYXENA ENSIFOLIA.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.
POLYXENA, _Kunth_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. iii. p. 807.
* * * * *
=Polyxena ensifolia=, _Schönland in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr._ vol. i. p. 444,
Fig. 2.
* * * * *
On Plate 56 we figured a species of _Polyxena (P. haemanthoides)_, and
gave a few remarks on the genus. The present species, collected by Mr.
A. J. Austin at Matjesfontein, C. P., was at first thought to be _P.
pygmaea_, Kunth, but it differs in many respects from the published
figures, and as it agrees quite well with Schönland’s description of _P.
ensifolia_, we have decided to place it under this species for the
present. Dr. Schönland, who saw the living plant at Pretoria, suggested
that it was a species differing both from _P. ensifolia_ and _P.
pygmaea_; but until we know more about the genus both as regards the
variability of the species and its distribution, it seems desirable to
regard it as a form of P. ensifolia.
_P. ensifolia_ is a pretty little plant. The leaves are semi-erect and
the inflorescence of pale lilac flowers arises between them. It does
quite well under cultivation, and has flowered for two seasons at the
Division of Botany, Pretoria. We are indebted to Mr. Austin for the
original bulbs.
_Description_:--_Bulb_ 2·5 cm. long, 2·5 cm. in diameter, ovoid, covered
with papery tunics. _Leaves_ two, erect or spreading above, produced
into a long clasping base 5-6 cm. long; the broadened lamina 5 cm. long,
3 cm. broad, ovate, obtuse, with reddish somewhat scarious margins, not
distinctly veined, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ corymbose, about
35-flowered. _Peduncle_ 6 cm. long, subterete. _Bracts_ 4·5 mm. long,
ovate, acuminate, colourless. _Pedicels_, ·35-1·6 cm. long, glabrous.
_Perianth-tube_ 1·5 cm. long, cylindric, gradually widening above; lobes
5·5 to 6 mm. long, 1·75 mm. broad, oblong, somewhat emarginate and
hooded at the apex. _Stamens_ in two rows; filaments 3 mm. long, terete,
glabrous; anthers 1 mm. long, oblong. _Ovary_ 3 mm. long, 1·5 mm. in
diameter, ellipsoid; style 1·4 cm. long, terete; stigma minutely 3-lobed
(National Herb. 2741).
* * * * *
PLATE 129.--Fig. 1, inflorescence; Fig. 2, a single flower; Fig. 3,
flower laid open, showing position of stamens and pistil; Fig. 4,
stamen; Fig. 5, pistil.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _130._]
PLATE 130.
HABENARIA FOLIOSA.
_Cape Province, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Natal._
* * * * *
ORCHIDACEAE. Tribe OPHRYDEAE.
HABENARIA, _Willd._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. iii. p. 624.
* * * * *
=Habenaria foliosa=, _Reichb. f. in Flora_, 1865, 180; _Fl. Cap_. vol.
v. sect. iii. p. 121; _Bolus Ic. Orch. Austro-Afr_. ii. t. 46.
* * * * *
The species of _Habenaria_ figured here has a wide range of distribution
in South Africa. Starting from Swellendam in the south, it follows more
or less the littoral strip as far as Port Alfred, and then spreads
inland through the Transkei and East Griqualand into Natal, and through
Basutoland and the eastern part of the Free State and up into the
Transvaal Drakensbergen. The species is also met with in the Pretoria
District, which is outside its normal range of distribution. In
Basutoland the natives call it “_Mametsana_,” meaning “the mother of the
small water.” The spur contains a watery substance which becomes
jelly-like on exposure to air.
Around Pretoria the plant flowers in late summer, about February, after
the rains, and is then frequently met with in the veld. The plate was
prepared from specimens collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at
Irene in February 1923.
DESCRIPTION:--_Plant_ 30-40 cm. high. _Tuber_ 5 cm. long, 2·5 cm. in
diameter, ellipsoid, with thick cylindric roots arising from the
junction of the stem and tuber. _Stem_ covered with many amplexicaul
leaves which pass gradually into the bracts. _Leaves_ 4·5-8 cm. long, up
to 3 cm. wide, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, stem-clasping at the base,
obtuse or subapiculate at the apex, keeled with the midrib and 2 lateral
veins prominent or distinct, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ many-flowered, up
to 13 cm. long. _Bracts_ similar to the leaves but smaller. _Dorsal
sepal_ 1 cm. long, 9 mm. broad, ovate, deeply concave, faintly
3-nerved; lateral sepals 1·3 cm. long, 4·5 mm. broad, oblong, unequal
sided, slightly cucullate at the apex, faintly 3-nerved. _Petals_
1·4-1·5 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, unequal sided, revolute on one margin
near the apex, faintly 5-nerved. _Lip_ 2 cm. long, with revolute margins
and with two lateral filiform appendages at the base. _Spur_ 3·5 cm.
long, cylindric, clavate at the apex. _Rostellum_ triangular in outline,
the two side lobes notched. _Pollinia_ sacs behind the rostellum.
_Stigmas_ separate, oblong, with small papillae at the junction of the
stigma and pollinium sac. _Ovary_ deeply grooved and angled (National
Herb. 2730).
* * * * *
PLATE 130.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2, front
of flower, showing lip and column; Fig. 3, sepals; Fig. 4, a petal; Fig.
5, ovary; Fig. 6, pollinium.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _131._]
PLATE 131.
SUTERA GRANDIFLORA.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
SCROPHULARIACEAE. Tribe MANULEAE.
SUTERA, _Roth._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. ii. p. 945.
* * * * *
=Sutera grandiflora=, _Hiern._; _Fl. Cap._ vol. iv. sect. ii. p. 304.
* * * * *
Mr. E. E. Galpin, who collected this species round Barberton in 1889,
described it in the _Kew Bulletin_ (1895, p. 151) under the name of
_Lyperia grandiflora_. The species is a native of the Barberton District
of the Transvaal, but has not been extensively collected. Mr. Galpin
describes it as “abundant amongst scrub on the hillsides and in the
valleys around Barberton, flowering throughout the year, but chiefly in
June and July.” In cultivation it grows to a rather dense bush 2 to 4
feet high, and flowers profusely. Very fine specimens are in cultivation
at the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch, and we are indebted to
the Director of the gardens for the fresh material from which the
accompanying Plate was prepared. The species should prove a great
acquisition to horticulturists.
DESCRIPTION:--An undershrub, viscid-pubescent erect, 0·4 to 1·2 m. high;
branches alternate or opposite, ascending, leafy, rigid, rather robust,
the lower elongated. _Leaves_ mostly alternate, subfasciculate,
oval-oblong, obtuse or subacute, more or less wedge-shaped at the base,
crenate-serrate, hispid, scabrid, shortly petiolate, 0·6 to 3 cm. long,
3 to 8 mm. broad; lateral veins alternate, narrowly impressed on the
upper face, hispid and raised on the lower. _Flowers_ racemose,
numerous, 2 to 3 cm. long; racemes terminal, simple, subcorymbose and
rather dense at first, afterwards elongating and rather lax, deep
purple, 4 to 30 cm. long; pedicels divaricate or ascending,
glandular-pilose, moderately rigid, 1-flowered, alternate, 6 to 8 mm.
long, the upper crowded; bracts basal, sublinear, solitary or
subfasciculate. _Calyx_ glandular-hispid, deeply 5-lobed, 6 to 8 mm.
long; segments linear-oblong or spathulate or sublinear, obtuse.
_Corolla-tube_ shortly glandular-pubescent, 0·8 to 3 cm. long,
subcylindrical, rather slender, slightly dilated and curved near the
top; limb spreading, 2 to 3 cm. in diameter; lobes obovate-rotund,
entire or retuse, 1 to 1·3 cm. long. _Stamens_ included; style filiform,
glabrous, about 1·5 cm. long; ovary sprinkled especially near the apex
with small glands, otherwise glabrous. _Capsules_ ovoid-oblong, minutely
glandular, 1 cm. long; seeds very numerous, irregularly oblong, 0-5 mm.
long. (_Flora Capensis_; National Herb. Pretoria, No. 2742.)
* * * * *
PLATE 131.--Fig. 1, portion of branch, showing leaves; Fig. 2, median
longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 3, bud showing folding of petals;
Fig. 4, corolla laid open; Fig. 5, calyx; Fig. 6, front view of petals;
Fig. 7, ovary; Fig. 8, upper portion of style; Fig. 9, anther.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _132._]
PLATE 132.
NERINE FRITHII.
_Cape Province, Orange Free State._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
NERINE, _Herb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_, vol. iii. p. 728.
* * * * *
=Nerine Frithii=, _L. Bolus in Ann. Bolus Herb._ vol. iii. p. 79.
* * * * *
It is the first occasion that we figure a species of one of the most
beautiful of South African genera, namely _Nerine_. _N. sarniensis_,
known as the “Guernsey Lily,” and to mountaineers in the Cape as the
“Nerina,” ranks with _Disa uniflora_ as one of the floral beauties of
Table Mountain. The species illustrated, while it does not equal its
Cape congener in the size of its flowers, is a charming little plant
when seen growing. It differs from the closely allied genus _Hessea_
(see Plate 43) in having dorsifixed instead of basifixed anthers, and
belongs to a small group of species in the genus _Nerine_ which have the
anthers appendiculate at the base. The species has been successfully
grown in the National Botanic Gardens at Kirstenbosch, near Cape Town,
and was described by Mrs. L. Bolus from specimens which flowered at
Kirstenbosch. Our plate was prepared from specimens which flowered at
the Division of Botany, Pretoria. The plant figured differs from the
description in not having two of the lobes of the staminal cup longer
than the others, but Mrs. Bolus, who kindly examined our specimens,
agrees that it is _N. Frithii_.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 2 cm. long, 1·7 cm. in diameter, ovoid-globose.
_Leaves_ present with the flowers, very often only two, up to 15 cm.
long, 1 to 1·5 mm. broad, subfiliform, channelled above. _Inflorescence_
an umbel of 5 to 7 flowers. _Peduncle_ up to 20 cm. long, terete.
_Spathe-valves_ 2·5 to 3 cm. long, oblong, long-attenuate. _Pedicels_ up
to 3 cm. long. _Floral-bracts_ 1 to 1·5 cm. long, thread-like,
membranous. _Perianth-segments_ spreading, at length recurved, 1.5 cm.
long, 4 mm. broad, linear, acute, with undulate margins. _Stamens_
declinate; filaments 0.35 to 6 mm. long, appendiculate at the base
forming a cup 3 cm. long, somewhat lacerated above, with two lobes
usually much exceeding the others; anthers 4 mm. long. _Ovary_ obovate,
with 2 ovules in each loculus. _Capsule_ globose, 8 mm. in diameter.
(National Herb. Pretoria, No. 2746.)
* * * * *
PLATE 132.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2, cross
section of leaf; Fig. 3, a single perianth-segment; Fig. 4, a stamen,
showing position of appendage at the base; Fig. 5, anther; Fig. 6,
fruit, showing cup formed of staminal appendages; Fig. 7, tip of style;
Fig. 8, fruit.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _133._]
PLATE 133.
PROTEA ROUPPELLIAE.
_Orange Free State, Transvaal, Swaziland, Cape Province,
Natal._
* * * * *
PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEAE.
PROTEA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. iii. p. 169.
* * * * *
=Protea Rouppelliae=, _Meisn. in DC. Prodr._ vol. xiv. p. 237; _Fl. Cap._
vol. v. sect. i. p. 573.
* * * * *
This common and characteristic _Protea_ of the Drakensbergen we figure
here for the first time. It appears to have been originally collected by
Burke and Zeyher on the Magaliesberg, and was described by Meisner and
named after Mrs. Rouppell, who published an illustrated book of Cape
flowers.
_P. Rouppelliae_ forms extensive thickets on the slopes of the
Drakensbergen, and in this respect resembles _P. mellifera_, _P.
lepidocarpodendron_ and _P. neriifolia_ of the Cape Province. The
species belongs to the same section of the genus as _P. compacta_,
figured on Plate 84.
The specimens from which the accompanying Plate was painted were
collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at the Devil’s Kantoor in the
Barberton District of the Transvaal.
DESCRIPTION:--A small tree 8 to 15 ft. high; branches villous or
tomentose above, at length glabrescent. _Leaves_ 10 to 15 cm. long, 2 to
4 cm. broad at the widest part, 4 mm. broad at the base,
oblong-lanceolate or obovate-spathulate, acute, the younger densely
villous or tomentose, at length glabrous, narrowed at the base,
reticulately veined. _Head_ shortly peduncled, 7 to 9 mm. long, 5 to 10
cm. in diameter. _Involucral bracts_ 10-seriate, silky-tomentose, deep
pink to pinky-white; outer ovate, obtuse, recurved to revolute, ciliate;
inner with an obovate to obovate-oblong limb, gradually passing into the
claw, shortly ciliate above, exceeding the flowers; perianth-sheath 4·5
cm. long, dilated and 3-keeled and 7-nerved below, loosely villous
above the dilated portion; lip 3 cm. long, 3-awned, spreadingly villous;
lateral awns 1·2 cm. long, linear, acuminate, purple, tomentose to
villous; median awn 8 mm. long; fertile stamens 3; filaments 1 mm. long,
flattened; anthers linear, 3 mm. long; apical glands 0·5 mm. long,
oblong, acute; barren stamen acute, eglandular; ovary 4 mm. long,
obovate in outline, densely covered with numerous long golden hairs;
style 5 cm. long, curved, somewhat flattened, keeled below on the convex
side, usually more or less shortly villous; stigma 4 mm. long, curved
and kneed at the junction with the style. (_Flora Capensis_; National
Herb. Pretoria, No. 2836.)
* * * * *
PLATE 133.--Fig. 1, receptacle; Fig. 2, inner bract; Fig. 3, single
flower; Fig. 4, pistil.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _134._]
PLATE 134.
NERINE LUCIDA.
_Cape Province, Orange Free State, Transvaal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
NERINE, _Herb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. iii. p. 728.
* * * * *
=Nerine lucida=, _Herb. Amaryllid_. 283, t. 36, fig. 3; _Fl. Cap._ vol.
vi. p. 214.
* * * * *
This species is, so far as we know, confined to the dry western portions
of the Cape Province, S.W. Protectorate, Transvaal, and Orange Free
State. Burchell found the plant both in Griqualand West and in
Bechuanaland, and Burke on his journey up to the Transvaal found it near
the Sand River in the Orange Free State. In habit the species very much
resembles a dwarf _Brunsvigia_, but is distinguished from this genus by
the obtusely angled ovary. The short stout peduncle is also found in two
other species of _Nerine_.
A coloured plant of _N. lucida_ was published in 1820 (_Botanical
Register_, Plate 497), drawn from a plant which flowered in the garden
of Prince Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg.
The specimens from which the accompanying Plate was prepared were
collected at Vryburg by Mr. A. O. D. Mogg, and flowered at the Division
of Botany, Pretoria, in 1924.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ globose, 4 cm. in diameter, produced into a neck
about 4 cm. long. _Leaves_ 6, contemporary with the flowers, about 18
cm. long, about 12 mm. broad, strap-shaped, obtuse, bright green.
_Peduncle_ lateral, about 12 cm. long, compressed. _Inflorescence_ an
umbel of 20 flowers. _Pedicels_ up to 7 cm. long, shortly hairy.
_Spathe-valves_ ovate-lanceolate, membranous, shorter than the pedicels.
_Perianth-segments_ 15 mm. long, 5 mm. broad, lanceolate-linear, obtuse.
_Stamens_ declinate, almost as long as the perianth segments. _Ovary_
obtusely trigonous; style declinate, as long as the stamens. (National
Herb., Pretoria, No. 2835.)
PLATE 134.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of a flower; Fig. 2,
upper portion of perianth lobe, showing apex; Fig. 3, cross-section
through the peduncle.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _135._]
PLATE 135.
EULOPHIA LEONTOGLOSSA.
_Orange Free State, Transvaal, Cape Province, Natal._
* * * * *
ORCHIDACEAE. Tribe VANDEAE.
EULOPHIA, _R.Br._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. iii. p. 535.
* * * * *
=Eulophia leontoglossa=, _Reichb. f. in Flora_, 1881, 329; _Fl. Cap_. vol. v.
sect. iii. p. 45.
* * * * *
This charming little _Eulophia_ is found in the summer months round
Pretoria growing in the grass veld, and is fairly abundant. Like many
other plants found in the neighbourhood of the Magaliesberg, it was
collected by the travellers Burke and Zeyher. It ranges from the Maclear
Division, through the Orange Free State, to Natal and the Transvaal.
_E. leontoglossa_ belongs to the same small group (four species) in the
genus as _E. Zeyheri_ (figured on Plate 119), which is characterised by
the flowers being arranged in congested racemes or short heads. Like _E.
Zeyheri_ also, the tubers are arranged in a linear series and resemble
large oval beads.
Our figure was made from specimens collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans,
C.M.G., at Irene, near Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--_Tubers_ subglobose, about 2 cm. broad; leaves 2 or 3 in a
fascicle, linear or lanceolate-linear, acute or acuminate, 10 to 36 cm.
long, 1·25 to 8 mm. broad. _Scapes_ erect, 10 to 35 cm. long, with a few
lanceolate acuminate sheaths below. _Flower-heads_ congested or rarely
oblong, 2·5 to 5 cm. long; bracts linear or linear-lanceolate,
acuminate, 1·3 to 2 cm. long; pedicels 6 to 8 mm. long; lip 3-lobed,
elliptic-oblong, narrowed at the base, about as long as the petals;
side-lobes somewhat divergent, oblong, obtuse or truncate, short; front
lobe elliptic-oblong, obtuse; disc with 5 obscure keels below, papillose
above, and with the surface of the front lobe strongly papillose all
over; spur oblong or subclavate, obtuse, 4 mm. long; column clavate, 4
mm. long. (_Fl. Cap._)
* * * * *
PLATE 135.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2, lip;
Fig. 3, sepal; Fig. 4, petal; Fig. 5, column; Fig. 6, pollinia.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _136._]
PLATE 136.
HAEMANTHUS KATHARINAE.
_Natal, Transvaal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
HAEMANTHUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. iii. p. 730.
* * * * *
=Haemanthus Katharinae=, _Baker in Gard. Chron._ 1877, vol. vii. p. 656;
_Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 231.
* * * * *
On Plate 32 of this work we figured a species of _Haemanthus_ (_H.
natalensis_) which differs from the present species in having the
involucral-bracts erect instead of spreading. _Haemanthus Katharinae_,
with its spreading involucral-bracts and perianth-segments, is unique in
this respect amongst the South African species of the genus. On the
inflorescence figured was an odd flower with 8 perianth-lobes and 8
stamens.
The species was introduced into England in 1877 by Mr. Keith, who was
then Superintendent of the Durban Botanic Gardens. In 1884 an excellent
figure (Plate 6778) appeared in the _Botanical Magazine_, made from
plants which flowered at Kew from bulbs sent by Mr. W. B. Lyle of Kirkly
Vale Estate, Natal.
We are indebted to Mr. P. S. Follwell, Isezela, Natal, for our specimen,
which was cultivated at the Division and flowered in January 1923.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ up to 18 cm. long. _Leaves_ 5 to 6 to a plant,
contemporary with the flowers, 20 to 30 cm. long, 10 to 13 cm. broad,
oblong, shortly mucronate; petiole 3 to 4 cm. long, channelled above.
_Peduncle_ lateral, terete, up to 40 cm. long. _Inflorescence_ a
many-flowered umbel. _Bracts_ 6, membranous, spreading or reflexed.
_Pedicels_ slender, 2·5 to 4 cm. long. _Perianth-tube_ 2 cm. long; lobes
2·5 cm. long, linear-lanceolate, spreading or reflexed. _Stamens_
inserted at the throat of the perianth-tube; filaments 4·5 cm. long,
erect; anthers 3 mm. long. _Ovary_ ellipsoid; style up to 6 cm. long;
stigma simple. (National Herb. Pretoria, No. 2837.)
* * * * *
PLATE 136.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, median longitudinal
section of the flower; Fig. 3, perianth segment showing attachment of
stamen.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _137._]
PLATE 137.
DIPLOCYATHA CILIATA.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe STAPELIEAE.
DIPLOCYATHA, _N. E. Br. in Journ. Linn. Soc._ vol. xvii. p. 168, t. 12,
figs. 1 to 3.
* * * * *
=Diplocyatha ciliata=, _N. E. Br._ l.c.; _Fl. Cap._ vol. iv. sect. i. p. 923.
* * * * *
When Mr. Brown first described this remarkable genus in 1880, he only
knew of Masson’s and Thunberg’s specimens, and up to the time of the
account in the _Flora Capensis_ (1909) Dr. Marloth was the only recent
collector who had found the plant. Mrs. D. van der Bijl, of Abraham’s
Kraal, in the Beaufort West District, who has contributed several
interesting plants we have figured, sent us specimens in 1919, which
flowered at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, this year.
It was figured in a coloured plate by Masson in 1796, and our present
Plate is the first to be produced since then. A pencil drawing of a
portion of the flower, the corona and the pollinia, accompanied Brown’s
original description, and while our specimen differs in some minor
points from the drawings, we have no hesitation in referring it to the
same species. The flower is rather handsome, and devoid of the
objectionable smell usually associated with the members of the tribe
_Stapelieae_.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ decumbent and ascending, 4 to 6·5 cm. long, 1·5 to
2 cm. thick excluding the teeth, obtusely 4-angled, with stout conical
acute teeth 4 to 6 mm. long, glabrous, green, mottled with purple.
_Flowers_ subsolitary from near the base or middle of the stems;
pedicels 1 to 2 cm. long, erect, glabrous. _Sepals_ about 6 mm. long,
ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute, glabrous. _Corolla_ about 7·5 cm. in
diameter, smooth and glabrous outside, densely papillate-rugose on the
inner face, according to Thunberg and Masson, greyish, with the tips of
the papillae reddish, but according to Masson’s figure, pale yellowish
with a greyish ring around the mouth of the tube, minutely dotted with
red; tube campanulate, apparently slightly raised at its mouth around
the very thick recurved papillate-rugose rim of the inner tube, which is
densely covered with stiff purple hairs at the base around and under the
corona; lobes about 2·5 cm. long, 1·5 to 2 cm. broad, spreading, ovate,
acute, ciliate from base to apex with clavate vibratile white hairs;
outer corona-lobes arising above the base of the staminal column,
connate at the base, somewhat spreading, with the free 2/3 to 1·5 mm.
long, 2 mm. broad, transverse or subquadrate, very obtusely or
subacutely bifid, glabrous, apparently yellowish dotted with
purple-brown; inner corona-lobes incumbent on the backs of the anthers,
about 1·5 mm. long, thick, ovate, acute, or acuminate with the tips
produced into a very short erect point, apparently yellowish, dotted and
marked with purple-brown. (_Flora Capensis_; National Herb. Pretoria,
No. 2841.)
* * * * *
PLATE 137.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of the flower with
corona removed; Fig. 2, sepals; Fig. 3, corona; Fig. 4, pollinia; Fig.
5, inner corona lobe showing pollen-sac; Fig. 6, cross-section of stem.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _138._]
PLATE 138.
URGINEA BURKEI.
_Transvaal, Cape Province._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.
URGINEA, _Steinh._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_, vol. iii. p. 810.
* * * * *
=Urginea Burkei=, _Baker_; _Fl. Cap_. vol. vi. p. 469.
* * * * *
This species of _Urginea_ is well known to the farmers of the Transvaal
under the common name of “Transvaal Slangkop,” owing to the somewhat
striking resemblance of the young inflorescence to a snake’s head. The
plant is extremely poisonous to stock, and in early spring many
fatalities are reported. For a fuller account of this plant see Bulletin
No. 7, 1922, of the Union Department of Agriculture. Burke first
collected the species on the Magaliesberg about 1830, but it remained
undescribed until Baker published his description in the _Flora
Capensis_ in 1896.
The specimen figured on the accompanying Plate was grown and flowered in
the garden of the Division of Botany, Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ globose, tunicated, about 7 cm. in diameter.
_Leaves_ about 26 cm. long, about 1 cm. broad, linear. _Peduncle_ 17 cm.
long, terete. _Inflorescence_ a cylindric raceme, 17 cm. long.
_Pedicels_ ascending; the lower 1 cm. long. _Bracts_ small, oblong,
subacuminate, membranous, spurred at the base, deciduous. _Perianth_ 1
cm. long; segments oblong-lanceolate, white with a brown keel. _Stamens_
shorter than the perianth-segments. _Ovary_ 4 mm. long, obtusely
trigonous; style 3·5 mm. long. (National Herb. Pretoria, No. 2647.)
PLATE 138.--Fig. 1, surface view of flower; Fig. 2, perianth-segment
with stamen; Fig. 3, pistil; Fig. 4, bract.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _139._]
PLATE 139.
NERINE FLEXUOSA
var. SANDERSONI.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
* * * * *
NERINE, _Herb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 728.
=Nerine flexuosa=, _Herb. App. 19_; _Fl. Cap_. vol. vi. p. 211.
* * * * *
Our Plate represents a variety of _Nerine flexuosa_ found in the
Transvaal, which is distinguished from the type in having a more robust
inflorescence. It very much resembles _N. lucida_, figured on Plate 134,
but the peduncle is much longer and not so stout. Very little is known
about this variety. It is recorded in the _Flora Capensis_ as collected
by Sanderson in the Transvaal, and does not appear to have been found
again by any recent collector. When planted in a mass it makes a very
effective display as soon as the flowers appear.
The plants from which this Plate was prepared were grown at the Division
of Botany, Pretoria, but no information is available as to where the
bulbs originally came from.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ globose, 7 cm. in diameter. _Leaves_ about 7, 30
cm. long, 2·7 cm. broad, strap-shaped, usually twisted. _Umbel_ about
25-flowered. _Peduncle_ up to 40 cm. long, elliptic in cross-section.
_Pedicels_ up to 7 cm. long, slender. _Spathe-valves_ 4 cm. long, ovate,
acuminate. _Perianth-segments_ about 4 cm. long, crisped in the upper
half. _Stamens_ declinate; filaments almost as long as the
perianth-segments. _Ovary_ globose, obtusely 3-angled; style declinate,
as long as the filaments; stigma simple.
PLATE 139.--Fig. 1, bulb; Fig. 2, leaf; Fig. 3, cross-section of
peduncle; Fig. 4, median longitudinal section of a flower; Fig. 5, upper
portion of perianth-segment, showing tuft of papillose hairs.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _140._]
PLATE 140.
CEROPEGIA AMPLIATA.
_Cape Province, Natal._
* * * * *
ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe CEROPEGIEAE.
CEROPEGIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. ii. p. 779.
* * * * *
=Ceropegia ampliata=, _E. Mey. Comm. 194_; _Fl. Cap_. vol. iv. sect. i.
p. 817.
* * * * *
The species of _Ceropegia_, figured here for the first time, belongs to
the same group in the genus as _C. Meyeri_ (Plate 30), which is
characterised by the tips of the petals being connate and forming a
cage-like top to the flower. _Ceropegia ampliata_ is one of the five
South African species collected by Drège, all of which were described by
E. Meyer.
The plant is a twiner or scrambler, devoid of leaves at the flowering
period. The flowers are pale green with a purple band within the
corolla-tube, which is visible through the wall of the tube. It is not
such a striking plant as some of the species we have previously figured,
but the purple band on a background of green gives the individual flower
a very pleasing effect.
Our Plate was prepared from a living plant lent by Mr. W. Haygarth to
the late Dr. J. Medley Wood.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ succulent, twining or scrambling, leafless at the
time of flowering, glabrous. _Leaves_ only seen at the young tips of the
stems, soon deciduous, minute, 2 to 2·5 mm. long, lanceolate, acute,
glabrous. _Flowers_ 2 to 4 together at the nodes, successively
developed; pedicels 0·6 to 1·3 cm. long, glabrous. _Sepals_ 2 to 3 mm.
long, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous. _Corolla-tube_ in dried specimens
2·5 to 5 cm. long, 0·8 to 1·2 cm. in diameter, cylindric and slightly or
not at all inflated at the base, but on the living plant, according to a
drawing, 5 cm. long, globosely and somewhat lobulate-inflated and about
2·5 cm. in diameter at the base, cylindric and 1·3 cm. in diameter
above, not dilated at the apex, pale green, with a narrow purple
transverse band at the top of the inflation inside, glabrous outside,
covered inside with long simple hairs, longer and more matted at the
purple band and above than in the lower part; lobes 0·8 to 1·2 cm. long,
5 to 6 mm. broad at the base, lanceolate from a deltoid base, acute,
erectly connivent and connate at the tips, replicate or with reflexed
margins, glabrous on both sides and not ciliate, green, spotted with
darker green, becoming olive-brown when dried, probably with a velvety
sheen on the inner surface; outer corona cup-shaped, equally 10-toothed;
teeth about 1 mm. long, narrowly deltoid, acute, hairy on the inner
surface; inner corona-lobes 4 to 5 mm. long, very slenderly filiform,
connivent-erect, dorsally-connected by vertical plates to the outer
corona at the base. (_Flora Capensis._)
* * * * *
PLATE 140.--Fig. 1, corolla laid open; Fig. 2, outer and inner corona,
showing the pollinia; Fig. 3, pollinia.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _141._]
PLATE 141.
RICHARDIA MELANOLEUCA.
_Natal._
* * * * *
AROIDEAE. Tribe PHILODENDREAE.
RICHARDIA, _Kunth_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. iii. p. 982.
* * * * *
=Richardia melanoleuca=, _Hook. f. in Bot. Mag_. t. 5765; _Fl. Cap_. vol. vi.
p. 38.
* * * * *
ON Plate 10 we figured a species of _Richardia_ (_R. angustifolia_)
found in the Transvaal and Basutoland, and on comparing that plate with
the present one, illustrating a Natal species, the most striking
difference noticed is the different colour of the spathes. In both
species the spathes are blotched at the base, but the leaves of _R.
melanoleuca_ are usually covered with translucent spots due to the loss
of chlorophyll (for further details see Saxton in _Trans. Roy. Soc. S.
Afr._ vol. iii. p. 136).
The species is fairly common in parts of Natal, and is often found
cultivated in local gardens. It was introduced into England and flowered
there in 1868.
Our plate was prepared from specimens collected at Krantz Kloof, near
Durban.
DESCRIPTION:--Root tuberous. _Petiole_ of leaf 15 to 35 cm. long,
furrowed on the inner surface, with soft bristles on the lower parts;
blade 10 to 25 cm. long, 12 to 20 cm. broad across the basal lobes,
cordate, deltoid or ovate-deltoid, acute, with a subulate point, hastate
or sagittate at the base, green, shining, glabrous, covered with
numerous translucent spots. _Spathe_ 5 to 8 cm. long, obliquely
subtruncate at the mouth; spadix shortly stipitate, cylindric. _Ovary_
sessile; stigma sessile or subsessile. _Anthers_ numerous. _Staminodes_
none.
* * * * *
PLATE 141.--Fig. 1, ovary; Fig. 2, cross-section through fruit;
Fig. 3, spadix with spathe removed.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _142._]
PLATE 142.
URGINEA MACROCENTRA.
_Cape Province, Natal._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.
URGINEA, _Steinh._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 810.
* * * * *
=Urginea macrocentra=, _Baker in Gard. Chron._ 1887, vol. i. p. 702;
_Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 466.
* * * * *
THIS plant, commonly known as the “Natal Slangkop,” owing to the
resemblance of the young inflorescence to a snake’s head, has been
recorded from the Umvoti District along the coast of Natal, and also
from the Transkei. The inflorescence makes its appearance in early
spring, and is then eaten by stock, when other herbage is scarce, with
fatal results (for an account of symptoms due to “slangkop” poisoning
see Bulletin No. 7 of 1922, Dept. Agric. Union S. Africa). During the
spring months, especially if the rains are later than usual, losses of
stock in parts where this “slangkop” occurs are of almost annual
occurrence.
The late Dr. Wood stated that he did not think _U. macrocentra_ was
specifically distinct from _U. lilacina_. He carefully compared his
specimens of the latter-named plant with the former, and could detect no
difference, and suggested that the specimens described by Baker as _U.
lilacina_ were merely _U. macrocentra_ which had lost the conspicuous
spurs, these being very early deciduous.
Our plate was prepared from specimens collected near Merebank outside
Durban, and cultivated at the Natal Herbarium.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ large, globose, 4 to 6 cm. in diameter. _Leaf_
single, 30 to 60 cm. long, 1 mm. in diameter, terete, purple-red at the
base. _Peduncle_ 70 to 90 cm. long, 7 mm. in diameter, terete.
_Inflorescence_ a dense cylindric raceme 8 to 15 cm. long and 2 to 3 cm.
in diameter. _Bracts_ with a long reflexed spur; spur 2 to 3 cm. long, 4
mm. broad at the base, convolute, bifid. _Perianth-segments_ 6 mm.
long, oblong-lanceolate. _Stamens_ shorter than the perianth-segments.
_Ovary_ sessile; style short.
* * * * *
PLATE 142.--Fig. 1, single flower; Fig. 2, part of inflorescence
axis showing pedicel and bract with the spur removed; Fig. 3, spur;
Fig. 4, stamen; Fig. 5, cross-section of ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _143_]
PLATE 143.
CEROPEGIA SANDERSONI.
_Natal, Zululand._
* * * * *
ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe CEROPEGIEAE.
CEROPEGIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 779.
* * * * *
=Ceropegia Sandersoni=, _Decne ex Hook. f. in Bot. Mag._ t. 5792; _Fl. Cap._
vol. iv. sect. i. p. 815.
* * * * *
ON Plate 39 we figured a species of _Ceropegia (C. Rendalii)_, which is
one of a group of four species characterised by the corolla-lobes being
united into an umbrella-like canopy supported by 5 short stalks. The
species on the accompanying plate is another of this group, and should
be compared with _C. Rendalii_ and _C. tristis_ (Plate 44).
The original description and plate appeared in the _Botanical Magazine_
in 1869, and were based on specimens sent to Kew by Mr. Sanderson in
1868, and which subsequently flowered there. The plant lends itself very
well to cultivation in the green-house, and is an object of beauty and
curiosity when in flower. It does not appear to have been extensively
collected, and may not be very common. In its native habitat it flowers
during the month of February.
As far as we are aware, there is no local name for the plant, and we
would therefore suggest “Sanderson’s Canopy Flower” as an appropriate
name. According to Gerrard the stems and leaves are eaten by the Kaffirs
and have an agreeable, sauce-like flavour.
Our plate was prepared from living specimens collected by Mr. W. J.
Haygarth at Entumeni, Zululand.
DESCRIPTION:--“Roots tuberous similar to those of a Dahlia” (Gerrard);
stem twining, 3 to 4 mm. thick, fleshy, glabrous, slightly rough to the
touch; leaves fleshy, glabrous; petiole 2 to 6 mm. long, stout; blade
1·5 to 4·5 cm. long, 1·5 to 2·5 cm. broad, ovate-lanceolate to broadly
cordate-ovate, acute or shortly cuspidate-acute, light green; cymes
with 2 to 4 flowers, developed singly, glabrous; peduncles 4 to 10 mm.
long, 3 to 4 mm. thick; pedicels 6 to 10 mm. long, nearly or quite 3 mm.
thick, becoming stouter in fruit; sepals 6 to 7 mm. long, 2 mm. broad,
narrowly oblong, acute, longitudinally folded, glabrous; corolla-tube
curved, 3 to 4 mm. long, with an oblong inflation 6 mm. in diameter at
the base, narrowed above and enlarged to 1·5 cm. or 2 cm. in diameter at
the funnel-shaped mouth, glabrous with the exception of a few hairs at
the very base inside; striped with green and white on the upper part
outside and within, light green on the inflation outside, dull
greyish-or purplish-green within, with numerous ribs, which abruptly
terminate at the base of the purple contracted part; lobes united into a
flattish 5-keeled umbrella-like canopy 3 to 4 cm. in diameter, supported
on 5 short claws, with 5 broad obtuse slightly bifid marginal
much-arched lobes, ciliate with vibratile white hairs, its centre
distinctly depressed, with a 6-pointed tubercle above and a 5-ribbed
projection beneath, yellowish-green, spotted with light green above and
with brighter green underneath, with the ribbed projection beneath and
some spots around it blackish-purple; outer corona 1 mm. long,
cup-shaped, not pentagonal, truncate, entire, whitish, with the margin
and at its junction with the inner corona-lobes purple-brown, ciliate
with white hairs; inner corona-lobes 3 mm. long, incumbent on the backs
of the anthers, with erect filiform tips, recurved at the apex, dorsally
connected to the outer corona at the base, glabrous, white; follicles
horizontally diverging, 7 to 14 cm. long, 6·5 to 7 mm. thick, terete,
tapering from about the middle to a slightly dilated umbonate apex about
4 mm. in diameter, irregularly rugose and tuberculate, glabrous, green,
stained with dull purplish. (_Flora Capensis._)
* * * * *
PLATE 143.--Fig. 1, outer corona lobe; Fig. 2, inner corona lobes;
Fig. 3, pollinia.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _144._]
PLATE 144.
ANOIGANTHUS BREVIFLORUS.
_Cape Province, Natal, Swaziland._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
ANOIGANTHUS, _Baker_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 722.
* * * * *
=Anoiganthus breviflorus=, _Baker in Journ. Bot._ 1878, p. 76; _Fl. Cap._
vol. vi. p. 193.
* * * * *
IN 1889 a good coloured plate of this plant was reproduced in the
_Botanical Magazine_. The plate was prepared from plants sent to Kew by
the late Dr. Medley Wood, and which flowered freely there in the open.
_Anoiganthus breviflorus_ is readily distinguished from species of
_Cyrtanthus_ (species of which we figured in earlier plates) by having
basifixed, not versatile anthers. It is a fairly widely distributed
species, being found as far south as Somerset East, and spreading
northward through the eastern parts of the Cape Province into Natal,
Zululand, Basutoland, Swaziland and to Broken Hill, N.W. Rhodesia. The
same yellow colour of the flowers is found in species of _Cyrtanthus_,
but specimens with white flowers have been recorded.
The species does quite well in cultivation, and in its native habitat
thrives in swampy and marshy ground.
Our plate was prepared from plants collected near Springfield (Durban),
Natal.
[There appears to be a second and quite distinct species (_A. luteus_
Baker) of this interesting little genus, though Baker in the _Flora
Capensis_ treated it as a variety. That it is distinct enough to be
regarded as a species was very strongly supported by the late Dr. J.
Medley Wood. According to him _A. breviflorus_ grows in swampy ground,
commencing at about 1500 ft. above sea level, and is found upwards to
4000 ft. He observed it occasionally to 4 ft. in height, but the average
was 2 to 3 ft. On the other hand, _A. luteus_ appears on grassy hills
and plains from just above sea level to 2000 ft., but never in swamps.
During the flowering stage it is rarely more than about 1 ft. high, but
afterwards, in fruit, the scape lengthens considerably and often attains
2 ft. in length. These observations by Dr. Wood are confirmed by a
critical examination of the specimens at Kew. The flowers and leaves
appear to be always contemporaneous in _A. breviflorus_, but in _A.
luteus_ the flowers appear first and the leaves are very small. Further
notes by Natal botanists would be welcome.--J. H.]
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ ovoid, white, 2 to 3 cm. in diameter, with a short
neck and brown membranous tunics. _Leaves_ 3 to 4, contemporary with the
flowers, 4 to 30 cm. long, 7 to 14 mm. broad, strap-shaped, obtuse,
strongly-nerved, glabrous. _Peduncle_ 8 to 20 cm. long, about 4 mm. in
diameter, slender, erect. _Spathe-valves_ 4 to 5 cm. long, 4 mm. broad
at the base lanceolate. _Pedicels_ 2 to 4 cm. long, erect.
_Inflorescence_ a 2-to 10-flowered umbel. _Perianth-tube_ 5 mm. long;
lobes 15 mm. long, lanceolate, acute. _Stamens_ included, in 2 series;
anthers basifixed. _Ovary_ glabrous; style slender; stigmas 3,
overtopping the stamens.
* * * * *
PLATE 144.--Fig. 1, perianth laid open; Fig. 2, stamens; Fig. 3,
cross-section of ovary; Fig. 4, style-branches.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _145._]
PLATE 145.
BURCHELLIA BUBALINA.
_Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal._
* * * * *
RUBIACEAE. Tribe GARDENIEAE.
BURCHELLIA, _R. Br._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 85.
* * * * *
=Burchellia bubalina=, _Sims Bot. Mag._ t. 2339 (1822). _Lonicera
bubalina_, _Linn. f. Suppl. 146_ (1781). _Burchellia capensis_, _R. Br.
in Ker. Bot. Reg._ t. 466 (1820); _Fl. Cap._ vol. iii. p. 2.
* * * * *
_Burchellia bubalina_ is known locally as “Buffels-hoorn” (not
“Buffelsdoorn”), on account of the horn-like calyx lobes, which persist
on the fruit. The bright-red flowers give rise to the name “Wild
pomegranate,” or “Wilde granaat.” There are also various native names
for the plant.
The single species of this genus is endemic to South Africa, and has a
wide distribution. In the south-west it is known as far as Swellendam,
whence it ranges through the forests to Natal and the Transvaal. Mr.
Galpin has recorded the plant from the summit of Saddleback Mountain, at
4500 to 5000 ft., where it occurs as a shrub 8 ft. high. It is somewhat
variable, the corolla differing much in size, and the length and
hairiness of the style fluctuates, perhaps due to sexual differences.
The calyx lobes are either 5 or 6 on the same plant.
No less than six different names have been applied to this species. Of
these we have, with some reluctance, adopted the oldest, _B. bubalina_,
Sims, using the specific name first applied by the younger Linnaeus in
1781 under the genus _Lonicera_ for specimens collected by Sparmann. A
better known name is _B. capensis_.
DESCRIPTION:--A small tree reaching 3·6 to 4·2 m. high. _Leaves_
opposite, petiolate; petioles up to 1·2 cm. long, thick, pubescent;
lamina up to 10·5 cm. long and 5·5 cm. broad, broadly ovate, entire,
rounded or subcordate at the base, with revolute margins and the veins
conspicuous above and very prominent beneath, dark green and glabrous
above, pubescent on all the veins beneath. _Stipules_ semicircular from
a broad base, ending in a linear cusp which almost equals the basal
portion in length and is minutely pilose. _Inflorescence_ terminal,
many-flowered. _Calyx-tube_ 6 mm. long, campanulate; lobes 5 to 6, 1 to
2 cm. long, linear, pubescent. _Corolla-tube_ 2 cm. long, inflated,
puberulous without, glabrous within, with a ring of white hairs near the
base; lobes 5 mm. long, triangular. _Stamens_ 5, inserted on the upper
half of the corolla-tube; filaments very short; anthers with the
connective slightly produced. _Ovary_ inferior, 2-celled, many-ovuled;
style filiform, exserted; stigma clavate. _Fruit_ a subglobose berry,
crowned with the persistent calyx-lobes.
* * * * *
PLATE 145.--Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, corolla laid open; Fig. 3,
showing pistil in calyx; Fig. 4, anther; Fig. 5, cross-section of
ovary; Fig. 6, stipule.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _146._]
PLATE 146.
PELARGONIUM PULVERULENTUM.
_Cape Province, Natal._
* * * * *
GERANIACEAE. Tribe PELARGONIEAE.
PELARGONIUM, _L’Herit._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 273.
* * * * *
=Pelargonium pulverulentum=, _Colv. in Sw. Ger._ t. 218; _Fl. Cap._ vol. i.
p. 272.
* * * * *
THIS species of _Pelargonium_, according to the late Dr. J. Medley Wood,
was first found in Natal in 1878, and was not met with again until 1914,
when it was found on the south coast near the sea. It had previously
been recorded from the eastern districts of the Cape Province by Ecklon
and Zeyher, Drège and Burke. The species belongs to the section
_Polyactium_ of the genus, and should be compared with _Pelargonium
crassicaule_, which we figured on Plate 52.
The white powdery pubescence, mentioned by Sweet as covering the young
leaves, has not been noticed in the Natal plants.
Our illustration was made and the description drawn up from specimens
collected at Merebank, Natal.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ short, thick, woody. _Leaves_ petioled; petioles
3·1 to 7·5 cm. long, hispid; lamina 6·5 to 8·1 cm. long and broad,
cordate, obtuse, somewhat lobed, with the lobes rounded and irregularly
and sharply serrate, 5-veined at the base, glabrous above, hispid with
minute short hairs beneath, more thickly on the margins; stipules
broadly ovate, acute, ciliate. _Inflorescence_ an umbel of 6 to 12
flowers. _Peduncle_ up to 20 cm. long, hispid. _Bracts_ 3 to 4·5 cm.
long, oblong, acute, hispid, ciliate. _Sepals_ 5, oblong-lanceolate,
acute, densely and minutely hispid, shorter than the petals. _Petals_ 5,
rather unequal, 1 to 1·2 cm. long, obovate, yellowish-white with a
purple blotch. _Stamens_ 10, monadelphous, unequal; 6 stamens fertile;
the remainder without anthers, of these 3 are short and subulate and 1
broad and acute. _Stigmas_ 5, filiform. Fruit not seen.
* * * * *
PLATE 146.--Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, longitudinal section of the
flower showing the monadelphous stamens; Fig. 3, petals; Fig. 4,
stamens; Fig. 5, pistil; Fig. 6, cross-section through the ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _147._]
PLATE 147.
THUNBERGIA NATALENSIS.
_Transvaal, Cape Province, and Natal._
* * * * *
ACANTHACEAE. Tribe THUNBERGIEAE.
THUNBERGIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 1072.
* * * * *
=Thunbergia natalensis=, _Hook. Bot. Mag._ t. 5082; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v.
sect. i. p. 4.
* * * * *
_Thunbergia natalensis_ was described and figured in 1858 from plants
cultivated by Messrs. Veitch of Chelsea, from seed received from South
Africa. A year later Harvey gave a picture of the species in his
_Thesaurus Capensis_ (Plate 38). The _Flora Capensis_ does not mention
the peculiar stalked glandular hairs found on the funnel-shaped part of
the style, though Hooker accurately figured these, neither does Harvey
show them in his figure nor mention them in his description, although he
was acquainted with the drawing in the _Botanical Magazine_.
The plant is a small shrub bearing large blue flowers with a bright
yellow throat, and is confined to the eastern parts of the Cape
Province, Natal, and the spurs of the Drakensbergen in the Transvaal.
Notwithstanding its showy nature, it escaped the notice of the old
collectors in Natal and the Transkei.
The species is worth the attention of horticulturists, and should find
greater favour among growers who cultivate our native plants.
DESCRIPTION:--A shrub 20 to 50 cm. high. _Branches_ glabrous or thinly
hairy. _Leaves_ 4 to 9 cm. long, 4 to 7 cm. broad, decussate, oblong or
elliptic, acute, cordate or sub-hastate at the base, subentire or
sinuate-toothed, slightly scabrous on both surfaces, with the veins
prominent beneath; petiole 3 to 6 mm. long. _Inflorescence_ axillary
1-to 3-flowered; bracteoles 2, 1 to 2·5 cm. long, 1 to 1·3 cm. broad,
lanceolate, acute, prominently 3-veined; peduncle 2 to 4 cm. long,
glabrous. _Calyx-tube_ 2 mm. long; lobes ovate. _Corolla_
salver-shaped; tube 2 to 3·5 cm. long, curved, much inflated from near
the base, sparsely pubescent; lobes 1 to 1·3 cm. long, ovate. _Stamens_
inserted on the corolla-tube; filaments filiform, thickened towards the
base; anther-cells bearded, one cell in each of the two larger anthers
spurred at the base. _Style_ funnel-shaped above, and produced in short
triangular lobes, with stalked glandular-hairs on the funnel-shaped part
and bearded on the lower surface of the lobes. _Capsule_ 3 cm. long,
densely and minutely hairy or glabrous.
* * * * *
PLATE 147.--Fig. 1, showing ovary situated on the disc; Fig. 2,
stamen; Fig. 3, portion of style, showing funnel-shaped upper
portion covered with stalked glandular hairs; Fig. 4, fruit.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _148._]
PLATE 148.
THUNBERGIA ALATA.
_Natal._
* * * * *
ACANTHACEAE. Tribe THUNBERGIEAE.
THUNBERGIA, _Linn. fil._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 1072.
* * * * *
=Thunbergia alata=, _Boj. ex Sims in Bot. Mag._ t. 2591; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v.
sect. i. p. 10.
* * * * *
_Thunbergia alata_ is a native of tropical Africa and Natal, but has
been introduced into many warm parts of the world as an ornamental
creeper, and it is often called “Black-eyed Susan.” It was first
described and figured in 1825 from plants raised in England from seed
collected in Mauritius.
In its natural habitat the species is found as a creeper in woods, and
the bright-orange corolla with a dark maroon throat gives the flower a
singularly beautiful effect. The plant grows readily under cultivation,
and makes a fine trellis creeper, but in colder countries it requires
the protection of a glass-house.
The petioles of the mature leaves, as will be seen from the plate, are
distinctly winged, but in the younger leaves they are almost terete. The
stamens, as is usually the case in the family _Acanthaceae_, are
appendaged in some way, and exhibit two forms in this species. All the
anthers are tailed, but the anther of the shorter stamen, instead of
having two tails, is only tailed at the base of one pollen-sac, the
other pollen-sac bearing a bunch of radiating glandular hairs.
Our plate was prepared from plants grown by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans,
C.M.G., at Irene, near Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--A climber. _Branches_ terete, hirsute. _Leaves_ opposite,
petioled; petiole 2 to 5 cm. long, at first terete, with a shallow
groove on the upper side, at length expanded and winged, hirsute; lamina
2·2 to 6·5 cm. long, 2 to 5·5 cm. broad, ovate, subobtuse, lobed at the
base, hirsute above and beneath, with the veins depressed above,
prominent beneath. _Flowers_ solitary, axillary. _Pedicel_ up to 6 cm.
long, terete, hirsute. _Bracts_ two, 2·2 cm. long, 1·2 cm. broad, ovate,
obtuse, distinctly keeled, hirsute, connate on one side. _Calyx_ with
many narrow linear lobes, covered with stalked glands. _Corolla-tube_ 2
cm. long, cylindric below, and then more or less suddenly widened into a
tube 6 mm. in diameter above, glabrous without and with a ring of
deflexed glandular hairs at the insertion of the stamens; limb more or
less oblique, with the lobes 1·5 cm. long, 1·4 cm. broad, obovate, and
with the margin concave at the apex. _Stamens_ unequal; anthers very
distinctly tailed and covered on the face with long glandular hairs; the
shorter anther with only 1 tail and with a tuft of glandular hairs on
the other pollen sac. _Style-lobes_ unequal; the shorter in the form of
a concave saucer; the upper deeply channelled (_National Herb.
Pretoria_, No. 2847).
* * * * *
PLATE 148.--Fig. 1, young leaf with terete petiole; Fig. 2, median
longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 3, calyx; Fig. 4, larger
stamens; Fig. 5, smaller stamen; Fig. 6, style.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _149._]
PLATE 149.
ALOE PEGLERAE.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.
ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.
=Aloe Peglerae=, _Schonl. in Records Albany Mus._ vol. i. p. 120.
* * * * *
_Aloe Peglerae_ is quite a common plant in parts of the Transvaal, and
may be found in quantities on the stony hills of the Magaliesberg round
Pretoria. The species was first described by Dr. S. Schönland in 1903
from specimens collected by Miss Alice Pegler near Rustenburg. The
peculiar lax arrangement of the leaves is very characteristic, and Miss
Pegler not inaptly compared its appearance to a loose cabbage.
In the description accompanying Plate 107 (_Aloe comosa_) we described
the method in which the flowers mature. _Aloe Peglerae_, as far as we
have observed, is an exception to this general rule, as the style is
exserted with the filaments and does not wait until the filaments are
withdrawn, and the perianth withers before protruding.
Our plate was prepared from specimens which flowered at the Division of
Botany, Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--_Plant_ almost acaulescent with a dense rosette of leaves.
_Leaves_ curved, about 28 cm. long, 5·5 cm. broad, below lanceolate,
ending in a short spine, almost flat on the upper surface, slightly
convex on the lower surface, faintly keeled and spiny on the back in the
uppermost third, with the margins spiny; the spines on lower portion of
leaf about 1 mm. long and about 5 mm. apart, becoming 5 mm. long and 1·5
cm. apart in the upper part of the leaf. _Peduncle_ solitary from the
middle of the leaf rosette, about 1·2 cm. in diameter and covered with
ovate long-acuminate erect membranous bracts. _Flower spike_ about 18
cm. long, up to 8 cm. in diameter; flowers at first reddish, becoming
greenish-white at maturity. _Outer perianth-segments_ 2·5 cm. long, 6
mm. broad, oblanceolate, with the apex slightly recurved, 3-nerved;
inner segments 2 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, oblong, 1-nerved. _Stamens_ at
length long exserted; filaments dark purple above, greenish below,
linear. _Ovary_ 5 mm. long, ellipsoid; style 4·2 cm. long, cylindric,
exserted with the stamens; stigma small (_National Herb. Pretoria_, No.
2846).
* * * * *
PLATE 149.--Fig. 1, upper portion of leaf; Fig. 2, flower; Fig. 3,
median longitudinal section of a flower.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _150._]
PLATE 150.
PSEUDOBAECKEA VIRGATA.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
BRUNIACEAE.
PSEUDOBAECKIA, _Nied. in Engl. and Prantl. Naturl. Pflanzenfam._ vol. iii. 2a,
p. 136 (1891).
* * * * *
=Pseudobaeckia virgata=, _Nied. l. c._; _Dummer in Journ. Bot._ 1912,
Suppl. 2. _Brunia virgata_, Brogn.; _Fl. Cap._ vol. ii. p. 315.
* * * * *
ON Plate 92 we figured a member of the family _Bruniaceae, Brunia
Stokoei_, which differs from the genus _Pseudobaeckia_ in having the
sepals united beyond the ovary and the stamens shorter than the petals.
The species of _Pseudobaeckia_ were formerly placed under the genus
_Brunia_, until a separate genus was constituted for them in 1891.
The species figured is not a particularly striking one, but it is worthy
of illustration, as it belongs to a group only found in the
south-western area of the Cape Province.
The specimens from which our plate was prepared were collected by Mr. T.
P. Stokoe on the Hottentot Hollands Mountains, where it is found growing
in very damp places near Kogelberg. It also occurs in the mountains of
Swellendam. We are indebted to the Director of the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew, for comparing the plant with the material in the Kew
Herbarium.
DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ slender, arranged in a racemose manner above,
yellowish, the young branches densely woolly, at length becoming
glabrous. _Leaves_ adpressed, somewhat distant below, becoming more
crowded above, 3·5 to 6 mm. long, 1·5 mm. broad, lanceolate, with a long
black mucro at the apex, convex and glabrous beneath, concave and woolly
above. _Flowers_ sessile, solitary in the uppermost leaves of the
ultimate branchlets. _Bracts_ two, 1 mm. long, ·25 mm. broad, linear,
convex beneath, concave above, obtuse, glabrous. _Sepals_ 1·25 mm. long,
·5 mm. broad, oblong, obtuse, glabrous. _Petals_ 1 mm. long, slightly
over ·5 mm. broad, oblong, obtuse. _Filaments_ ·5 mm. long, linear;
anthers less than ·25 mm. long. _Ovary_ 2-celled, with a single red
pendulous ovule in each cell, sometimes only one ovule present; style ·5
mm. long, bifid at the apex (_National Herb. Pretoria_, No. 2578).
* * * * *
PLATE 150.--Fig. 1, tip of branch enlarged, showing flowers; Fig.
2, portion of branch enlarged; Fig. 3, single leaf showing under
surface; Fig. 4, longitudinal section through a flower; Fig. 5, a
single flower; Fig. 6, stamen; Fig. 7, bracteole; Fig. 8, bract.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _151._]
PLATE 151.
ALOE SCHLECHTERI.
_Cape Province, Namaqualand._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.
ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.
* * * * *
=Aloe Schlechteri=, _Schonl. in Records Albany Mus._ vol. i. p. 45.
* * * * *
This somewhat rare _Aloe_ was first described by Dr. Schönland from
material collected by Max Schlechter at Pella, S.W. Africa. The Division
of Botany in 1921 received living specimens from Dr. W. Borchards of
Upington, and these subsequently flowered at Pretoria.
_Aloe Schlechteri_ is found growing on the bare veld. The short stems
are decumbent and the rosette of leaves almost at right angles to the
stems, giving the plant, when viewed from a little distance, an
acaulescent appearance. The plants are invariably found in groups, and
the individual plants are so arranged that the group forms a half-circle
or sometimes a complete circle on the ground. The inflorescence appears
to be always forked.
Our illustration was made from the specimens collected by Dr. Borchards.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ short decumbent with a dense rosette of leaves.
_Leaves_ somewhat incurved, up to 24 cm. long, up to 4 cm. broad near
the base, lanceolate, acuminate, ending in a sharp spine, convex
beneath, flat or slightly convex above, with the margins covered with
prickles and a few prickles on the keel beneath near the apex; prickles
about 1·2 cm. apart, straight or slightly incurved. _Inflorescence_
branched into two arms; the common peduncle about 10 cm. long, bluntly
3-angled, naked; peduncle of arms up to lowermost flowers 9 cm. long,
covered with a few membranous ovate acuminate bracts; raceme 15 cm.
long, many-flowered. _Pedicels_ 8 mm. long, erect. _Youngest flowers_
tubular, erect, becoming later horizontal and at length pendulous and
then clavate. _Perianth-tube_ 1·8 cm. long, widening from the base
upwards; inner lobes 1·2 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse,
usually 5-nerved; outer lobes 1·6 cm. long, 8 mm. broad,
oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, concave usually 3-nerved. _Stamens_ 3·5 cm.
long, at first included, at length exserted. _Ovary_ 8 mm. long,
3-angled; style 1·6 cm. long, terete; stigma minute (National Herb.
2845).
* * * * *
PLATE 151.--Fig. 1, flower; Fig. 2, median longitudinal section of
flower; Fig. 3, perianth-segments; Fig. 4, stamen; Fig. 5, style.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _152._]
PLATE 152.
MONTBRETIA CROCOSMAEFLORA.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.
=Montbretia crocosmaeflora=, _Hort._; _Flor. Mag._ n.s. t. 472; _Fl. Cap._
vol. vi. p. 129.
* * * * *
This plant, commonly seen in South African gardens, is a hybrid between
_Tritonia Pottsii_ and _Crocosmia aurea_, and was described from plants
which flowered at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in August 1889. As the
plant has been described under the generic name of _Montbretia_ in the
_Flora Capensis_ we retain the combination here.
The plant blooms in Pretoria during the month of April, and furnishes a
good supply of cut flowers during a time when they are scarce. Our
illustration was made from specimens flowering at the Division of
Botany, Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ 2·5 cm. in diameter, almost spherical, sending out
lateral rhizomes. _Leaves_ arranged up the stem in a fan-like manner, 6
to 7 on each side, up to 30 cm. long, ·8 to 1 cm. broad, linear, acute,
equitant at the base, with the midrib prominent and the lateral veins
evident in fresh specimens, glabrous. _Peduncle_ up to 25 cm. long, 7-to
10-ribbed (almost narrowly winged), glabrous. _Inflorescence_ a lax
panicle of 3 to 4 spikes. _Spikes_ 4 to 5 cm. long, 4-to 6-flowered.
_Spathe-valves_ 8 mm. long, ovate, acuminate, brown, membranous.
_Perianth-tube_ 1·5 cm. long, 4 mm. in diameter above, gradually
narrowing below; lobes 2·8 cm. long, 9 mm. broad, oblong, obtuse,
somewhat unequal. _Stamens_ fixed in the upper portion of the
perianth-tube; filaments 2·2 mm. long, terete; anthers 8 mm. long,
linear, versatile. _Ovary_ 6 mm. long, ellipsoid; style 3 cm. long,
terete; style-branches 1 mm. long, bifid and papillose at the apex.
_Fruit_ 9 mm. in diameter, globose, obtusely 3-angled, several seeds in
each cell (National Herb. 2848).
* * * * *
PLATE 152.--Fig. 1, corm showing rhizomes; Fig. 2, median
longitudinal section of a flower; Fig. 3, spathe-valves; Fig. 4,
stamen; Fig. 5, upper part of style; Fig. 6, fruits.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _153._]
PLATE 153.
OXALIS LUPINIFOLIUS.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
OXALIDACEAE.
OXALIS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 276.
* * * * *
=Oxalis lupinifolius=, _Jacq. Oxal._ t. 72; _Fl. Cap._ vol. i. p. 348.
* * * * *
This beautiful little _Oxalis_ belongs to a small group of about eight
species which are characterised by having the leaves digitately 5-to
19-foliate, and in some respects these species are more showy than many
of the others.
The genus as a whole is essentially characteristic of the south-western
portion of the Cape Province, but scattered species are found in various
parts of the Union. Species of _Oxalis_ are also abundant in South
America, where some of them form tall shrubs.
Heterostylism, _i. e._ the different relative lengths of the stamens and
styles, is found in the genus. In some flowers the styles exceed the
stamens, while in others the stamens are longer than the styles. This
arrangement of the sexual organs ensures that cross-pollination will
take place.
Our plate was prepared from specimens grown at the Division of Botany,
Pretoria, from corms presented by Dr. C. L. Leipoldt, who collected them
at Pakhuis in the Clanwilliam Division. According to Dr. Leipoldt the
corms are edible.
DESCRIPTION:--Internodes very short, so that the leaves appear more or
less in a rosette. _Leaves_ digitately 3-to 6-foliate; petioles 3 to 9
cm. long, 4 to 5 mm. broad, flattened glabrous; the shorter petioles
very distinctly winged; the longer petioles not so evidently winged;
leaflets up to 3·5 cm. long, 1·8 cm. broad, obovate, cuneate, rounded at
the apex, glabrous, punctate beneath. _Pedicels_ 1 to 6 cm. long,
terete, glabrous. _Bracts_ 2, 4 mm. long, linear. _Sepals_ 6 mm. long, 2
mm. broad, oblong, obtuse, with membranous margins, glabrous.
_Corolla-tube_ 7 mm. long, 5 mm. in diameter above, campanulate; lobes
1·5 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, obovate. _Stamens_ unequal; longer stamens
6·5 mm. long, subterete, pubescent, with an appendage on the back;
shorter stamens 3·5 mm. long, similar to the longer, but without the
appendage; anthers oblong. _Ovary_ 1·5 mm. long, 1 mm. in diameter,
ellipsoid, glabrous; styles 1 mm. long; stigmas penicillate.
* * * * *
PLATE 153.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
calyx; Fig. 3, androecium; Fig. 4, pistil of long-styled flower;
Fig. 5. pistil of short-styled flower.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _154._]
PLATE 154.
COTYLEDON WICKENSII.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
CRASSULACEAE.
COTYLEDON, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 658.
* * * * *
=Cotyledon Wickensii=, _Schonl. in Records Albany Museum_, vol. iii. p. 141.
* * * * *
The _Pillansii_ group of _Cotyledon_ as defined by Dr. Schönland
includes species with a suffructicose, mostly robust habit, with the
lobes of the corolla usually longer than the tube, glandular flowers,
and with a tuft of hairs at the base of the filaments where they join
the corolla. The species figured here was collected by Mr. J. Wickens
and Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., on stony kopjes at Smit’s Drift, in
the Pietersburg District of the northern Transvaal.
It is well adapted for rockeries, and flowers profusely during the
mid-winter months of June and July. The species has been established in
the rockeries of the Union Building gardens at Pretoria, and is doing
remarkably well.
Our plate was prepared from specimens growing at the Division of Botany,
Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--A tall herbaceous shrub up to 2 m. high. _Stems_ somewhat
fleshy, glabrous. _Leaves_ 8·5 to 11 cm. long, 2·5 cm. broad,
lanceolate, acute, or sometimes rounded, distinctly narrowed to the base
into a terete portion, flat above, slightly convex beneath, glabrous and
covered with a glaucous bloom. _Inflorescence_ cymose, 12-to 15-flowered
at the end of a naked peduncle. _Peduncle_ up to 30 cm. long, terete, 6
mm. in diameter. _Pedicels_ 1·5 to 3 cm. long, terete, densely covered
with glandular hairs, expanded and disc-like above. _Sepals_ 8 mm. long,
4 mm. broad, ovate, obtuse, glandular-pubescent. _Petals_ persistent.
_Corolla-tube_ 2 mm. long, gibbous at the base between the petals,
glandular hispid; lobes 2 cm. long, 2 mm. broad, oblong-linear, with a
small blunt apiculus, glandular-hispid, especially on the margins.
_Stamens_ equal; filaments 2·2 cm. long, terete, with reflexed hairs at
the base; anthers ovate or almost orbicular. _Carpels_ a little shorter
than the stamens. _Glands_ at base of each carpel, 3 mm. long, 1·5 mm.
broad, oblong, truncate, projecting into the cavity at base of the
petals.
* * * * *
PLATE 154.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
longitudinal section of flower with pistil removed; Fig. 3, carpels
showing glands at the base; Fig. 4, stamen; Fig. 5, cross-section
of leaf.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _155._]
PLATE 155.
ALOE PETRICOLA.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.
ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.
* * * * *
=Aloe petricola=, _Pole Evans in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr._ vol. v. p. 707.
* * * * *
This _Aloe_ was first collected and photographed by Dr. Pole Evans at
Nelspruit in September 1905. In the Nelspruit Valley (Barberton
District) the plant is found chiefly on the granite outcrops, and in
similar localities at Eland’s Hoek and in the Kaap Valley, where it was
collected by Mr. Geo. Thorncroft. Like most of our Transvaal aloes, it
flowers in mid-winter (July), and the flowering period extends well into
August. _Aloe petricola_ is one of the stemless species, and the
bicoloured inflorescence makes it quite a striking plant in the rockery.
In the oldest flowers the filaments contract within the perianth, and
the style then becomes exserted.
Our plate was prepared from specimens which flowered at the Division of
Botany, Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--_Leaves_ 34 cm. long, 8 cm. broad at the base, lanceolate,
acuminate, ending in a short spine, concave on the upper surface, convex
on the lower, with spines along the margins and 1 to 3 spines on the
back near the apex; spines about ·2 mm. long and 1·5 cm. apart.
_Inflorescence_ forked; peduncle bearing the inflorescence about 20 cm.
long, 1·2 cm. in diameter, terete, bearing ovate acuminate membranous
bracts; flowers in a dense spike about 21 cm. long, 6 cm. in diameter,
all reflexed, at first red, later becoming greenish-white, with dark
green bands. _Floral bracts_ membranous, reflexed, 1·5 cm. long, 5 mm.
broad at the base, ovate, cuspidate, 5-nerved. _Outer perianth-segments_
2·5 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse, distinctly 3-nerved
(faintly 5-nerved); inner segments 2·3 cm. long, 9 mm. broad, somewhat
keeled, 3-nerved. _Filaments_ 2·5 cm. long, broadest in the middle and
tapering to the base and apex, dark purple above, greenish-white below;
anthers 3 mm. long with dark yellow pollen. _Ovary_ 5 mm. long,
cylindric; style 2 cm. long, cylindric; stigma minute.
* * * * *
PLATE 155.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
bud; Fig. 3, perianth-segments; Fig. 4, stamen.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _156._]
PLATE 156.
CRASSULA PORTULACEA.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
CRASSULACEAE.
CRASSULA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 657.
* * * * *
=Crassula portulacea=, _Lam. Dict._ ii. p. 172; _Fl. Cap._ vol. ii. p. 337.
* * * * *
This species of _Crassula_ is somewhat related to _C. falcata_, figured
on Plate 12, but differs in its more shrubby habit. It belongs to the
section _Latifoliae_ of the genus, which contains three species, all
succulent branching shrubs, with broad flat fleshy leaves.
_Crassula portulacea_ is a large much-branched shrub up to 10 to 12 ft.
high, and is found in the south-eastern parts of the Cape Province, in
the coastal districts from Montagu to Port Elizabeth.
Our plate was prepared from plants flowering in the rockeries at the
Division of Botany, Pretoria. Here it forms a small, more or less
compact shrub about 2 ft. high, and flowers very profusely. The flowers
appear during the winter months, and when in full bloom the plant makes
a very effective show on the rockery.
DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ succulent. _Leaves_ up to 5 cm. long, 3 cm.
broad, obovate, rounded at the apex, produced into a short broad
petiole, articulated to the branches, glabrous. _Inflorescence_
terminal, in large lax cymose panicles. _Calyx_ campanulate, with very
short lobes. _Petals_ 1 cm. long, 2·5 mm. broad, oblong, with a small
apiculus at the apex. _Stamens_ 5, alternating with the petals;
filaments 5·5 mm. long, linear, tapering upwards; anthers more or less
crescent-shaped. _Hypogynous glands_ oblong, rounded above. _Carpels_ 5,
free; ovary ellipsoid; style 3 mm. long, terete; stigma small,
capitate.
* * * * *
PLATE 156.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
a single carpel; Fig. 3, stamen; Fig. 4, hypogynous gland.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _157._]
PLATE 157.
EUPHORBIA COOPERI.
_Natal and Transvaal._
* * * * *
EUPHORBIACEAE. Tribe EUPHORBIEAE.
EUPHORBIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 258.
* * * * *
=Euphorbia Cooperi=, _N.E. Br. ex Berger, Sukk. Euphorb._ 83 and 84, Fig. 21;
_Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. 2, p. 368.
* * * * *
The genus _Euphorbia_ is represented in South Africa by one hundred and
eighty-three species, and we figure a representative of this genus for
the first time. The genus contains many species which are of economic
value as stock-food plants in the drier parts of the country, and among
these may be mentioned _E. esculenta_, Marl. (Vingerpol), _E.
brachiata_, E. Mey. (Soet or Blou Melkbos), _E. coerulescens_, Haw.
(Soet Noorsdoring), and several other species which are commonly known
as “Noorsdoring.”
The species figured here is one of the arborescent members of the
family, and is found in Natal and in the Rustenburg and Piet Potgieter’s
Rust Districts of the Transvaal. It is easily recognised by the
continuous horny margins on the stems.
The plant when cut exudes a copious milky juice, which is a skin
irritant, and which also causes a burning sensation in the throat if the
air is inhaled when standing in close proximity to a bleeding plant.
Our plate was prepared from a plant growing at the Division of Botany,
Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--A succulent leafless spiny tree, 10 to 15 ft. high; trunk
becoming naked and cylindric below, 15 to 20 cm. thick; branches
ascending, curved at their basal part, 5-to 6-angled, deeply constricted
into conic-ovate or somewhat heart-shaped segments 5 to 15 cm. long, and
4 to 7·5 cm. in diameter, with the small central solid part not more
than 2 to 2·5 cm. thick in the younger branches, glabrous; angles
wing-like, with triangular channels 2 to 4 cm. deep between them, their
margins with a continuous horny nearly even grey border. _Leaves_
rudimentary, scale-like, about 1 mm. long and 2 mm. broad, transverse,
apiculate; spines 3 to 8 mm. long, in pairs 6 to 18 mm. apart, widely
diverging, grey, with blackish tips; flowering-eyes 3 to 8 mm. above the
spine-pairs; cymes 1 to 3 from the same eye, sessile, each with 3
involucres, glabrous. _Bracts_ about 3 mm. long and 4 mm. broad,
rounded, concave, usually minutely denticulate; involucres all sessile
and the middle one male, lateral fertile, 5 to 6 mm. in diameter,
cup-shaped, glabrous, with 5 glands and 5 erect short transversely
rectangular fringed lobes; glands contiguous, 3 mm. in their greater
diameter, narrowly transverse oblong, very minutely rugulose on the
upper surface; capsule about 6 mm. long and 9 to 12 mm. in diameter,
exserted on a stout pedicel, curved to one side, deeply 3-lobed seen
from above, with laterally compressed lobes, glabrous, dark purple on
the apex and along the angles, having a somewhat fleshy calyx at its
base, with 3 deltoid-ovate acute lobes about 2 mm. long; cell-walls
about 0·5 mm. thick, woody. _Styles_ 2 mm. long, united for two-thirds
of their length, with spreading arms, bifid at the apex; seeds 3 mm. in
diameter, globose, with a raised line in a very slight furrow on one
side, and a small pit at one end, light grey.
* * * * *
PLATE 157.--Fig. 1, cross section of stem; Fig. 2, inflorescence;
Fig. 3, male flowers; Fig. 4, male flower with fringed lobe; Fig.
5, gynaecium of female flower.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _158._]
PLATE 158.
LACHENALIA PENDULA.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.
LACHENALIA, _Jacq._; _Benth. et. Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 807.
* * * * *
=Lachenalia pendula=, _Ait. Hort. Kew._ vol. i. p. 461; edit. 2, vol.
ii. p. 288; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 423.
* * * * *
This species of _Lachenalia_ was amongst some of the earliest of the
Cape introductions into the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, having been
sent by Masson in 1774. About the same time, or probably earlier, it was
introduced into the gardens of Holland, and was eventually imported into
England from Holland. In 1801 an excellent figure appeared in the
_Botanical Magazine_ (Plate 590).
_Lachenalia pendula_ is a robust species of the genus, and is easily
cultivated. It flowers freely under cultivation, and makes a very
effective display.
Our plate was prepared from specimens grown by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans,
C.M.G., from bulbs supplied by Lady Smartt.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ globose, 3·5 cm. in diameter, covered with thin
membranous white tunics. _Leaves_ 2, clasping the base of the stem, up
to 16 cm. long, up to 6 cm. broad below the middle, ovate, bluntly
apiculate. _Peduncle_ (including the flowers) up to 27 cm. long, 8 mm.
in diameter, terete. _Bracts_ small, broadly ovate, membranous.
_Pedicels_ 6 mm. long. _Flowers_ arising from small pockets on the
peduncle, first almost erect, then horizontal and at length pendulous.
_Perianth-tube_ slightly gibbous and oblique at the base; outer segments
3·3 cm. long, 7 mm. broad, oblong-linear, obtuse, with an outstanding
ridge on the back near the apex, of one only; inner segments longer than
the outer, 3·5 cm. long, 1 cm. broad near the apex, obovate-oblong,
almost truncate at the apex. _Stamens_ of two different lengths; the
longer equalling the inner perianth-segments; the shorter slightly
included; filaments terete, glabrous; anthers oblong. _Ovary_ 5 mm.
long, ellipsoid; style slightly exceeding the longer stamens, minutely
capitate at the apex.
* * * * *
PLATE 158.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of a flower; Fig.
2, part of outer perianth-segment showing transverse ridge; Fig. 3,
part of inner perianth-segment; Fig. 4, stamen; Fig. 5, upper
portion of style; Fig. 6, ovary; Fig. 7, portion of peduncle with
bracts and pockets from which the flowers arise.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _159._]
PLATE 159.
CYRTANTHUS GALPINI.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
CYRTANTHUS, _Ait._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 729.
* * * * *
=Cyrtanthus Galpinii=, _Baker in Kew Bull._ 1892, p. 83; _Fl. Cap._
vol. vi. p. 227.
* * * * *
We have pleasure in figuring for the first time this charming little
_Cyrtanthus_ from the Barberton District of the Transvaal. According to
Mr. G. J. Hofmeyr, B.Sc., of the Forest Department, who collected the
flowers, the plants are found growing in long grass at Kaapse Hoop. The
plant is subsocial, and forms conspicuous pink patches in the veld. Mr.
Hofmeyr informs us that the flowers at Barberton are scarlet, and not
alizams pink (R. C. S), as in the Kaapse Hoop plants.
The species was first collected by Mr. E. E. Galpin, F.L.S., amongst
rocks on Berea Ridge, near Barberton, in 1889. He describes the flowers
as scarlet, dusted with gold. It flowers during the months of July and
August.
_C. Galpini_ falls into the same section of the genus as _C. helictus_,
which we figured on Plate 99.
Our plate was partly prepared from Galpin’s specimens (_Galpin_ 409) and
partly from living flowers collected by Mr. Hofmeyr.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ ovoid, 2·5 to 3 mm. in diameter. _Leaves_ appearing
before the flowers, up to 8 cm. long, 2 mm. broad above, narrowing to a
filiform portion below, with a single rib, glabrous. _Peduncle_ 10 to 19
cm. long, 3 mm. in diameter, terete, very gradually narrowing upwards.
_Bracts_ 2·5 to 3 cm. long, scarious, linear, acuminate. _Flowers_
solitary, more rarely 2-nate. _Perianth-tube_ with a narrow-cylindric
lower portion 1·5 cm. long, broadening out into a funnel-shaped portion
2 cm. long and 1·3 cm. in diameter at the throat; lobes 2 cm. long, 7
to 9 mm. broad, oblong, bluntly apiculate, with a very small tuft of
glandular hairs on the apex of three of them. _Stamens_ all arising from
the base of the widened portion of the perianth-tube; filaments of
unequal lengths and attached to the perianth-tube for different
distances, giving the stamens the appearance of being in two rows;
anthers oblong, versatile. _Ovary_ 5 mm. long, ellipsoid; style 3-8 cm.
long, filiform; stigmas 3 mm. long, recurved, papillose on the upper
side.
* * * * *
PLATE 159.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of a flower; Fig.
2, portion of a perianth lobe showing apiculus and tuft of
glandular hairs. Fig. 3, ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
[Illustration: _160._]
PLATE 160.
ALOE CHORTOLIRIOIDES.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.
ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.
=Aloe chortolirioides=, _Berger in Engl. Pflanzenreich,
Liliac-Asphodel-Aloin_. 171 (1908).
* * * * *
This graceful little _Aloe_, so far as we are aware, is confined to the
Barberton District of the Transvaal. The plant has a very different
habit from most species in the genus, inasmuch as it grows in large
tufts, and the short stem, covered with the membranous leaf-bases, very
much resembles that of a _Vellozia_.
We are indebted to Mr. Geo. Thorncroft of Barberton for the specimens
from which the plate was prepared.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ tufted, covered with the remains of the
leaf-bases; leaves 10 to 20 cm. long, linear from a dilated base,
channelled, with the margins lined with small spines. _Peduncle_ 16 cm.
long, bearing, almost to the base, membranous ovate awned bracts.
_Floral-bracts_ 1·4 cm. long, membranous, ovate, long-acuminate,
distinctly veined. _Pedicels_ articulating at the apex and persistent.
_Perianth_ 3 cm. long, with a cylindric tube and 1-nerved lobes.
_Stamens_ exserted. _Style_ 4 cm. long, filiform, long-exserted in old
flowers (National Herb. 2733).
* * * * *
PLATE 160.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
perianth-segments.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
PLATE
ALOE CHOKTOLIRIOIDES, 160
ALOE PEGLERAE, 149
ALOE PETEICOLA, 155
ALOE SCHLECHTERI, 151
ALOE VERECUNDA, 124
ANOIGANTHUS BREVIFLORUS, 144
ANSELLIA GIGANTEA, 122
BURCHELLIA BUBALINA, 145
CEROPEGIA AMPLIATA, 140
CEROPEGIA SANDERSONI, 143
COTYLEDON WICKENSII, 154
CRASSULA PORTULACEAE, 156
CYRTANTHUS GALPINII, 159
DIPLOCYATHA CILIATA, 137
EULOPHIA LEONTOGLOSSA, 135
EUPHORBIA COOPERI, 157
GLADIOLUS LUDWIGII, 125
HABENARIA FOLIOSA, 130
HAEMANTHUS KATHABINAE, 136
LACHENALIA PENDULA, 158
MIMETES ARGENTEA, 128
MONTBRETIA CROCOSMAEFLORA, 152
NERINE FLEXUOSA, 139
NERINE FRITHII, 132
NERINE LUCIDA, 134
OXALIS LUPINIFOLIUS, 153
PACHYPODIUM SAUNDERSII, 123
PELARGONIUM PULVERULENTUM, 146
POLYXENA ENSIFOLIA, 129
PROTEA ROUPPELLIAE, 133
PSEUDOBAECKEA VIRGATA, 150
RICHARDIA MELANOLEUCA, 141
STAPELIA FLAVOPURPUREA, 121
STRUMARIA TRUNCATA, 127
SUTERA GRANDIFLORA, 131
THUNBERGIA ALATA, 148
THUNBERGIA NATALENSIS, 147
URGINEA BURKEI, 138
URGINEA MACROCENTRA, 142
VELTHEIMIA ROODEAE, 126
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