Chapter I: B. Pole Evans (2)

* * * * *

ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe STAPELIEAE.

STAPELIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 784.

* * * * *

=Stapelia Gettleffii=, _Pott in Ann. Transvaal Mus._ vol. iii. p. 226, t. 13 (1913).

* * * * *

Lovers of our South African succulents will welcome this plate of a new Transvaal _Stapelia_, discovered by Mr. G. F. Gettleffi at Louis Trichardt in the Zoutpansberg District. It is closely allied to _Stapelia hirsuta_, which occurs in the Western Province of the Cape, but the flowers are larger, the cilia longer, and the rudimentary leaves are more developed. The illustration given here was made from specimens growing on the rockeries of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, but there is no record of the locality from which the original plants came. In 1916 a coloured illustration of the species appeared in the _Botanical Magazine_ (t. 8681), made from a specimen which flowered in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in June 1915, which was sent to England by Mr. N. S. Pillans. Mr. Pillans’ specimens came from Palapye Road, near Mafeking.

DESCRIPTION:--A succulent herb 10-20 cm. high. _Stems_ decumbent, 4-angled, velvety-pubescent. _Leaves_ rudimentary, ·3-1·3 cm. long, linear-lanceolate, acute, velvety-pubescent. _Flowers_ 1-3 together near the base of the stem; pedicels velvety. _Sepals_ velvety. _Corolla_ 8·5-15 cm. in diameter; disc purple, clothed with long soft hairs; lobes barred with transverse yellow and purple lines, and ciliate with long whitish and purple hairs, velvety on the back. Outer corona-lobes 7 mm. long, lanceolate with a subulate-acuminate recurved dark purple tip; inner corona-lobes ·9-1·3 cm. long, subulate, with a 1-3-toothed broad dorsal wing.

[As received from South Africa and as grown in England the stems of all the plants seen are erect, being decumbent only at the basal part as in other species of this genus. I have never seen them entirely prostrate as here represented. Locality may cause the difference.--N. E. BROWN.]

* * * * *

PLATE 26.--Fig. 1, corona; Fig. 2, pollinia; Fig. 3, upper portion
of stem; Fig. 4, stem with flowers; Fig. 5, follicles.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

K. A. Lansdell del.

STREPTOCARPUS DUNNII, HOOK. f.]

PLATE 27.

STREPTOCARPUS DUNNII.

_Transvaal._

* * * * *

GESNERACEAE. Tribe CYRTANDREAE.

STREPTOCARPUS, _Lindl._; _Benth. et Hook. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 1023.

* * * * *

=Streptocarpus Dunnii=, _Hook. f. Bot. Mag._ t. 6903; _Fl. Cap._ iv. sect. 2, p. 442.

* * * * *

This species of _Streptocarpus_, which belongs to a section of the genus characterised by the development of one leaf only, was first brought to the notice of horticulturists in 1884 by Mr. E. G. Dunn, who sent seeds to Kew from Spitzkop in the Transvaal.

The seeds germinated freely, and in May and June of 1886 the plants were a feature of the Succulent House at Kew. The genus _Streptocarpus_ is well represented in South Africa, and at least 24 distinct species are known.

Our illustration was made from plants grown by Mr. C. E. Gray, Pretoria, from specimens collected by Dr. Pole Evans on Mr. Geo. Heys’ farm, Weltevreden, Machadodorp, where it grows on rocks at the side of a stream.

DESCRIPTION:--Leaf sometimes up to 1 m. long and 45 cm. broad, hairy beneath, sometimes shaggy on the upper surface, with crenate margins. _Peduncles_ up to 15 cm. long, terete, pilose, bearing many flowers arranged more or less in a cymose manner. _Calyx_ divided almost to the base; lobes 5 mm. long, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, subacute, ciliate. _Corolla-tube_ 2·2 cm. long, pubescent in bud, becoming more or less glabrous with age, gradually widening from the base upwards; lobes 4 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, more or less transversely oblong, broadly rounded at the apex. _Style_ densely pilose below.

* * * * *

PLATE 27.--Fig. 1, inflorescence; Fig. 2, plant reduced

F.P.S.A., 1921.

K. A. Lansdell del.

SENECIO STAPELIAEFORMIS, P. HILL. _sp. nov._]

PLATE 28.

SENECIO STAPELIAEFORMIS.

_Transvaal._

* * * * *

COMPOSITAE. Tribe SENECIONIDEAE.

SENECIO, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 446.

* * * * *

=Senecio stapeliaeformis=, _Phill. sp. nov._

_Caudex_ 7-25 cm. altus, carnosus, 4-7-angulosus. _Folia_ 2-5 mm.
longa, erecta, subulata, emarcida. _Pedunculus_ 2 cm. longus,
simplex, monocephalus, teres, glaber. _Capitulum_ discoideum,
coccineum. _Bractae_ involucri, 1·5 cm. longae, 1 mm. latae,
lineares, apice obtusae ciliataeque. _Receptaculum_ 3 mm. latum,
planum. _Corollae_ tubus 2 cm. longus, cylindricus, glaber; lobi
3·5 mm. longi, ·75 mm. lati, lineares, apice obtusi. _Stamina_
inclusa; filamenta 6 mm. longa; antherae 2·5 mm. longae, lineares,
apice appendice lineare instructae. _Ovarium_ 2·5 mm. longum,
glabrum; stylus 2 mm. longus, glaber, lobis 4 mm. longis
linearibus. _Pappus_ 1·6 cm. longus.

Transvaal: Lydenburg. _Carl Jeppe in National Herbarium,_ 1272.
Pruizen, Potgeiters Rust, under bushes, _Burtt Davy_, 2203.

* * * * *

The specimens from which our figure was made were collected by Mr. Carl Jeppe in the Lydenburg District, Transvaal, and flowered in the Garden of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in September, 1919.

It is closely allied to _Senecio pendula_, Sch. Bip., a native of Somaliland and Arabia, but differs in the erect, angled stems.

The stems resemble those of a _Stapelia_ to such an extent that it was thought to be a _Stapelia_ when received, and was planted out in the _Stapelia_ collection. This species will make a very welcome addition to the South African rockeries.

DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ 7-25 cm. long, simple, more rarely branched, thick and fleshy, 4-7-angled, with the angles compressed and toothed, each tooth tipped with an erect, slender, awl-like leaf 2-5 mm. long, withering and becoming hardened. _Peduncle_ often solitary and terminal, sometimes there is also an axilliary one on the stem, but then only the uppermost appears to develop; 2 cm. long, bearing one flower-head, terete, with 3-4 of the subulate leaves or bracts, glabrous. _Flower-head_ solitary, discoid, scarlet-red. _Involucral-scales_ in a single row of 10-12, more or less concrete, 1·5 cm. long, 1 mm. broad, linear, obtuse, ciliated at the apex, brick-red. _Receptacle_ 3 mm. in diameter, flat. _Florets_ all hermaphrodite. _Corolla-tube_ 2 cm. long, cylindric, glabrous, scarlet-red above, colourless below; lobes 3·5 mm. long, 0·75 mm. broad, linear, obtuse, scarlet-red. _Stamens_ inserted about halfway down the corolla-tube; filaments 6 mm. long, filiform, becoming linear for 1·5 mm. below the anthers; anthers 2·5 mm. long, linear, blunt at the base, tipped at the apex with a linear appendage 1·5 mm. long. _Ovary_ 2·5 mm. long, linear in outline, glabrous; style 2 mm. long, cylindric, glabrous; style-arms 4 mm. long, linear, tipped with a bristly cone. _Pappus_ of white hairs 1·6 cm. long, distantly barbellate. _Fruit_ not seen.

[A few years before the war a plant of this species was sent by Mr. J. Burtt Davy to Kew Gardens, where it flowered annually, but has since died.--N. E. BROWN.]

* * * * *

PLATE 28.--Fig. 1, flower (enlarged); Fig. 2, style-arms; Fig. 3,
stamens; Fig. 4, cross-section of stem.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

K. A. Lansdell del.

NYMPHAEA STELLATA WITH.]

PLATE 29.

NYMPHAEA STELLATA.

_Cape Province, Transvaal, Natal, Rhodesia._

* * * * *

NYMPHAEACEAE. Tribe NYMPHAEAE.

NYMPHAEA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 46.

* * * * *

=Nymphaea stellata=, _Willd. Sp. Pl._ vol. ii. p. 1153; _Fl. Cap._ vol. i. p. 14.

* * * * *

A common water plant in many of our South African rivers and vleis, and it is not surprising that such a handsome species soon found its way to cultivators in Europe. Masson, about the year 1792, appears to have first introduced it into England by forwarding specimens from the Cape to the Royal Gardens at Kew. It was not long before coloured plates appeared in the botanical publications of the day, and the first of these was published in 1801 in the _Botanical Magazine_ and about the same time in Andrews’ _Botanist’s Repository_. A second figure again appeared in the _Botanical Magazine_ about 18 years later. The species, commonly known as the “Blue Water Lily” (Zulu “i-Ziba”), is easy of cultivation, and is found in most garden ponds in South Africa. Our illustration was made from specimens growing in the aquarium of the Natal Herbarium, Durban.

DESCRIPTION:--An aquatic plant with a submerged rhizome from which the floating leaves and flowers are produced. _Rhizome_ 4-5 cm. in diameter, black and spongy. _Leaves_ about 6 to each rhizome; petiole long or short according to the depth of the water, terete, striate, thickly clothed with transparent hairs; lamina green above, brownish beneath, up to 30 cm. long and 20-26 cm. broad, orbicular or elliptic, rounded at the apex, and with a deep acute triangular notch at the base, with entire or sometimes wavy margins, and prominent veins beneath, glabrous. _Peduncles_ longer than the petioles, raising the flower well above the surface of the water. _Sepals_ 4, green outside, blue within, 4-6 cm. long, 1·5-2 cm. broad, ovate-oblong, acuminate. _Petals_ numerous, about 4 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, blue. _Torus_ thick, fleshy. _Stamens_ numerous, in several rows; filaments flattened; the outer longer than the inner, and ½-⅔ the length of the petals; anthers yellow, with a long linear blue appendage at the apex. _Carpels_ many, inserted in the torus; stigma arcuate, obtuse. _Fruit_ a many-seeded berry. _Seeds_ spongy.

* * * * *

PLATE 29.--Fig. 1, torus; Fig. 2, plant reduced.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

K. A. Lansdell del.

CEROPEGIA MEYERI DENE.]

PLATE 30.

CEROPEGIA MEYERI.

_Cape Province, Transvaal, Natal._

* * * * *

ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe CEROPEGIEAE.

CEROPEGIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 779.

* * * * *

=Ceropegia Meyeri=, _Decne. in DC. Prodr._ vol. viii. p. 645; _Fl. Cap._ vol. iv sect. 1, p. 828.

* * * * *

This species was first collected by Drège between the Bashee River and Morley, in Tembuland, about the year 1831, but the species has been found by several collectors since then. Its altitudinal range of distribution is wide, as it has been recorded by the late Dr. Wood from the sub-tropical climate of Durban and from Oliver’s Hoek Pass on the Drakensbergen, which is occasionally covered with snow in the winter months. The plant is a very ornamental twiner, easily cultivated, and well worth the attention of horticulturists. The accompanying illustration was made from specimens growing in the garden of the Natal Herbarium at Durban.

DESCRIPTION:--_Rootstock_ a flattened tuber. _Stem_ herbaceous, twining, up to 10 metres long, pubescent. _Leaves_ petioled; lamina 1·7-2·8 cm. long, 3-5·9 cm. broad, cordate-ovate or lanceolate-ovate, acute, somewhat acuminate, cordate or rounded at the base, more or less pubescent or rarely subglabrous on both sides, with the margins variously toothed or lobed. _Petiole_ 1-4 cm. long, pubescent. _Inflorescence_ 2-4-flowered, cymose, sessile or subsessile at the nodes. _Pedicels_ 0·6-1·1 cm. long, villous. _Sepals_ 8-11 mm. long, 1 mm. broad at the base, subulate, pubescent. _Corolla-tube_ whitish at the lowermost third, streaked with purple lines above, 2·5-3·1 cm. long, bottle-shaped, inflated and cylindric-oblong in the basal two-thirds, and narrowed into a cylindric neck above, then abruptly dilated at the mouth, glabrous without and within except at the throat; lobes almost black, connate at the tips, 1-1·2 cm. long, 3 mm. broad at the base, linear, pilose, with reflexed margins. _Outer corona-lobes_ white, ascending, 1 mm. long, deltoid, acute, glabrous; inner corona lobes connivent at the base, then slightly divergent, and again connivent at the tips, white above, black below, 2 mm. long, linear or slightly spathulate-linear, obtuse. _Follicles_ erect, sub-parallel, 8-10 cm. long, tapering into a beak, glabrous.

* * * * *

PLATE 30.--Fig. 1, calyx (enlarged); Fig. 2, corona; Fig. 3, a
follicle.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

K. A. Lansdell del.

MORÆA IRIDIOIDES, LINN.]

PLATE 31.

MORAEA IRIDIOIDES.

_Cape Province, Transvaal, Natal._

* * * * *

IRIDEAE. Tribe MORAEEAE.

MORAEA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 688.

* * * * *

=Moraea iridioides=, _Linn. Mant._ 28; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 25.

* * * * *

This is one of the largest and most handsome species in the genus and is frequently cultivated in South African gardens. Thunberg appears to have been the first collector of this plant; he gathered his specimens near the Zeekoe River in Humansdorp Division about 1772, but the species was known in England before then, as there is a record of Miller having it in cultivation in 1758. The first figure of the species appeared in the _Botanical Magazine_ in 1804 and it has been figured several times since. The present illustration was made from specimens growing in the garden of the Natal Herbarium, Durban.

DESCRIPTION:--A perennial plant with short underground rhizomes. _Leaves_ crowded in dense fan-shaped basal rosettes, 0·6-1·3 metres long, 1-2 cm. broad, linear, acute, equitant at the base, glabrous. _Peduncles_ equalling or exceeding the leaves. _Inflorescence_ corymbose. _Spathe-valves_ 2, about 6·5 cm. long, obtuse, tightly folded; the outer smaller than the inner. _Perianth-segments_ 5-6 cm. long, 2-3 cm. broad, obovate, obtuse, clawed at the base; the 3 outer segments with an orange-yellow keel, densely pilose at the base; the 3 inner segments narrower, with dark markings above the claw. _Ovary_ ellipsoid. _Stigmas_ purple, lanceolate, 2-lobed. _Fruit_ 5 cm. long, 1·7 cm. in diameter, ellipsoid; valves coriaceous. _Seeds_ discoid.

* * * * *

F.P.S.A., 1921.

K. A. Lansdell del.

HAEMANTHUS NATALENSIS, PAPPE.]

PLATE 32.

HAEMANTHUS NATALENSIS.

_Cape Province, Natal._

* * * * *

AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.

HAEMANTHUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 730.

* * * * *

=Haemanthus natalensis=, _Pappe ex Hook. in Bot. Mag._ t. 5378; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 232.

* * * * *

The late Dr. Pappe first brought this species to the notice of Kew as an undescribed South African plant, and not long afterwards (1862), Dr. Sanderson sent bulbs from Natal to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which flowered the following year. An excellent figure of the plant appeared in the _Botanical Magazine_ of the same year. The species appears to be fairly common in Natal, but the only Cape Province record we have is supplied by a specimen collected by Mr. W. Tyson at Kokstad, East Griqualand, 1883. The present illustration was made from specimens collected by Miss K. A. Lansdell at “Stella Bush” near Durban. It is popularly known as the “Blood Flower,” “Snake Lily,” and “April Fool.” It is reputed to be poisonous, but is used medicinally by the natives of Natal who know it as “Indumbe-ka-Hloile.”

DESCRIPTION:--An erect plant about 1 metre high. _Bulb_ 2-7·5 cm. in diameter, usually globose. _Stem_ about 1 metre high, closely covered with leaves above and with a few scale-leaves at the base. _Leaves_ sub-erect, 32 cm. long, 8-9 cm. broad, acute, narrowed at the base, glabrous, shining; the sheathing petiole of the lowermost leaves with reddish-brown spots, and the margin round the apex coloured reddish-brown. _Peduncle_ lateral, from the base of the stem, generally shorter than the stem, semi-terete, smooth and glabrous. _Inflorescence_ a many-flowered umbel. _Involucral-bracts_ 7-8, vandyke red to blackish red-purple (R.C.S.), 6·5-7·5 cm. long, 2-5 cm. broad, oblong, sub-acuminate, rounded or obtuse at the apex, glabrous. _Floral-bracts_ about 4 cm. long, 1-2 mm. broad, linear. _Flowers_ scarlet (R.C.S.). _Pedicels_ 1·5-5 cm. long, terete, glabrous. _Perianth-tube_ 1 cm. long, 0·9 cm. in diameter, campanulate, glabrous; lobes 1·2 cm. long, linear, obtuse and recurved at the apex, with a tuft of hairs on each alternate lobe, otherwise glabrous. _Stamens_ exserted, arising at the throat of the perianth-tube; filaments usually about 1·6 cm. long, hermosa pink (R.C.S.); anthers yellow. _Ovary_ 6 mm. long, ellipsoid; style longer than the stamens, hermosa pink (R.C.S.); stigma minute, globose. _Fruit_ a bright-red berry about 1 cm. in diameter, sub-globose, 1-3 seeded.

* * * * *

PLATE 32.--Fig. 1, plant reduced; Fig. 2, flower, with bract; Fig.
3, stamen, showing attachment to segment of the perianth.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

K. A. Lansdell del.

CYRTANTHUS MᶜKENII, Hook. f.]

PLATE 33.

CYRTANTHUS MCKENII.

_Natal._

* * * * *

AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.

CYRTANTHUS, _Ait._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 729.

* * * * *

=Cyrtanthus McKenii=, _Hook. fil. in Gard. Chron._, 1869, p. 641, with fig.; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 225; _Wood, Natal Plants_, vol. i. t. 51.

* * * * *

The species of _Cyrtanthus_, which with one exception are confined to South Africa, have always received notice from gardeners. Our plant was described in 1869 from specimens sent to Europe by Mr. McKen, and a coloured drawing appeared soon after (1873) in one of the illustrated botanical publications. As far as our records go, this species is confined to Natal, where it is known as the “Ifafa Lily.” The specimens from which our illustration was made were gathered by Miss K. A. Lansdell on the banks of the Ifafa River near Port Shepstone, the original locality in which Mr. McKen first discovered the species. The flowers are strongly scented.

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 3-4 cm. in diameter, ovoid; tunics brown, membranous. _Leaves_ 2-6, erect, contemporary with the flowers, 20-30 cm. long, 0·9-2 cm. broad, linear, obtuse, narrowed to the base, glabrous. _Peduncle_ reddish-brown near the base, longer than the leaves, sub-terete, hollow. _Inflorescence_ a 4-10-flowered umbel. _Spathe-valves_ 2, green, spotted with reddish-brown marks when young, at length withering, 2·5-3·5 cm. long, 4-7 mm. broad, lanceolate, acute. _Flowers_ sub-erect, pure white with yellowish throats. _Floral-bracts_ linear. _Pedicle_ 0·8-1·5 cm. long, terete. _Perianth-tube_ 3-3·5 cm. long, 7-9 mm. in diameter at the throat, gradually widening from the base upwards; lobes spreading, 6-7 mm. long, 5-6 mm. broad, ovate, the 3 outer cucullate at the apex; the 3 inner emarginate. _Stamens_ sub-sessile, in 2 whorls below the throat of the perianth tube; anthers oblong. _Ovary_ sub-trigonous; style exserted; stigmas spreading, oblong-linear, tufted at the apex. _Fruit_ a trigonous capsule.

* * * * *

PLATE 33.--Fig. 1, leaf and flowers, natural size; Fig. 2, perianth
laid open; Fig. 3, apex of style showing stigmas.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

S. Gower del.

WITSENIA MAURA, Thunb.]

PLATE 34.

WITSENIA MAURA.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

IRIDACEAE. Tribe SISYRINCHIEAE.

WITSENIA, _Thunb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 701.

* * * * *

=Witsenia maura=, _Thunb. Nov. Gen._ pl. p. 34; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 46.

* * * * *

This interesting plant, the only species known in the genus, was first found by Dr. Carl Thunberg at Noordhoek and False Bay on the Cape Peninsula and described by him in 1782. It appears to be confined to damp habitats in the Cape Province, and has been found by the late Dr. Bolus at Houw Hoek in Caledon Division. It has also been recorded from the Tradouw Mountains in Swellendam Division, and this year (1920) Mr. T. P. Stokoe has discovered the plant on the Klein River Mountains near Caledon. It is a rare species and would only interest enthusiastic cultivators on account of its rarity.

We are indebted to Mr. Stokoe for the living specimens from which this plate was prepared. The plant is known locally as “Waaiertje.”

DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ woody. _Leaves_ distichous, about 18 cm. long, 5-7 mm. broad, linear, tapering to an acute point, amplexi-caul, glabrous. _Flowers_ in terminal heads. _Bracts_ 4·5 cm. long, boat-shaped, shorter than the flowers. _Perianth-tube_ 2·7 cm. long, brown below, becoming blue-black above; lobes 1·4 cm. long, 5·5 mm. broad, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, densely tomentose with yellow hairs outside, glabrous within, with a tuft of yellow hairs at the apex of the inner segments and marginal hairs round the apex of the outer segments. _Stamens_ inserted near the throat of the perianth-tube; filaments 5 mm. long, linear and slightly dilated at the base; anthers 6 mm. long, linear. _Ovary_ small; style 4 cm. long, slightly bifid at the apex.

* * * * *

PLATE 34.--Fig. 1, plant natural size; Fig. 2, unopened flower;
Fig. 3, lobes of perianth; Figs. 4 and 5, stamens; Fig. 6, ovary
and style; Fig. 7, tip of style, showing the three stigmas.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

S. Gower del.

CYRTANTHUS OBLIQUUS, Ait.]

PLATE 35.

CYRTANTHUS OBLIQUUS.

_Cape Province, Natal._

* * * * *

AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.

CYRTANTHUS, _Ait._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol iii. p. 729.

* * * * *

=Cyrtanthus obliquus=, _Ait.; Hort. Kew._ vol. i. p. 414; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 219; _Wood, Natal Plants_, vol. iv. t. 391.

* * * * *

This beautiful _Cyrtanthus_ was described by Aiton in 1789, probably from plants collected in South Africa by Masson, who sent specimens of this species to England in 1774. The fact that it has been so frequently figured is an indication that it has appealed largely to horticulturists. Jacquin first produced a coloured plate in 1797 and the last figure we know of in botanical literature is that quoted above.

The specimens from which the present plate was prepared flowered in the Gardens of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, from bulbs gathered on the mountains at Bethelsdorp near Port Elizabeth by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans.

In Natal this plant is known as “Justifina” or “Sore-eye flower” by the natives, who use it medicinally, as “Matoonga.”

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ globose, about 10 cm. in diameter, with a short neck about 4 cm. long, and thick cylindrical roots from the base; outer tunics membranous. _Leaves_ 18 cm. long, 4 cm. broad, strap-shaped, obtuse, glabrous. _Peduncle_ 28 cm. long, 1·3 cm. in diameter at the base, cylindric, tapering slightly towards the apex, hollow, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ an umbel of 6 flowers. _Bracts_ 3 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, ovate, sub-acuminate, acute. _Pedicels_ 2 cm. long, cylindric, glabrous. _Flowers_ pendulous. _Perianth-tube_ 4·5 cm. long, 2 cm. in diameter at the throat, funnel-shaped; outer lobes 2·5 cm. long, 1·4 cm. broad, oblong, slightly mucronate; inner lobes 2·4 cm. long, 1·7 cm. broad, obovate, obtuse, green, passing into yellow and red at their base. _Stamens_ arising from near the base of the perianth-tube; filaments 3 cm. long, cylindric; anthers 4 mm. long, oblong. _Ovary_ sub-globose, 5 mm. long, about 6 mm. in diameter; style 7·9 cm. long, cylindric; stigma faintly 3-lobed.

* * * * *

PLATE 35.--Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, leaf and flowers,
natural size; Fig. 3, perianth laid open; Fig. 4, apex of style.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

S. Gower del.

MIMETES PALUSTRIS, Kn.]

PLATE 36.

MIMETES PALUSTRIS.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE.

MIMETES, _Salisb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 171.

* * * * *

=Mimetes palustris=, _Knight, Prot._ p. 66, _excl. syn. Boerh.; Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. 1, p. 649.

* * * * *

We have much pleasure in figuring this species, one of the many botanical rarities which have recently been brought to the notice of South African botanists by Mr. T. P. Stokoe.

Mr. Stokoe collected the specimens in August, 1920, between Hermanus and Stanford in the Caledon District. They were growing on damp slopes of shallow soil overlaying quartzite, with a southern aspect. In the locality the plant is extremely rare.

As far as we are aware this is the first record of the species since it was collected by Niven.

The common species of _Mimetes_ (_M. lyrigera_, Knight) is known as the “Rooi Stompie,” and as the above species is confined to damp habitats we propose the name “Water Stompie” for it.

DESCRIPTION:--A small shrub about 24 cm. high. _Branches_ pilose. _Leaves_ more or less imbricated, 1·7-2·5 cm. long, 7-9 mm. broad, the leaves subtending the flowers broader, elliptic-lanceolate, sub-acute, villous, ciliate with long hairs on the margins. _Heads_ longer than the leaves, 3-5 flowered. _Outer involucral bracts_ about 2·2 cm. long, ovate-lanceolate, acute, villous. _Perianth_ hairy; the limb densely setose. _Style_ with a dilated ring at the base of the stigma, glabrous.

* * * * *

PLATE 36.--Fig. 1, plant natural size; Fig. 2, a single flower;
Fig. 3, a single perianth segment; Fig. 4, limb of perianth; Fig.
5, style; Fig. 6, stigma.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

S. Gower del.

CYRTANTHUS ROTUNDILOBUS, N.E. BR.]

PLATE 37.

CYRTANTHUS ROTUNDILOBUS.[C]

_Transkei._

* * * * *

AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.

CYRTANTHUS, _Ait._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 729.

* * * * *

=Cyrtanthus rotundilobus=, _N.E. Br. sp. nov._

CYRTANTHUS _rotundilobus_; _Bulbus_ ovoideus, 3 cm. diametro, in
collo productus. _Folia_ 4, erecto-recurva, 16-30 cm. longa, 1·7
cm. lata, lineari-lanceolata, apice attenuata, subtus carinata,
glabra. _Pedunculus_ circa 14 cm. longus, teres, solidus, glaber.
_Umbella_ 9-11-flora. _Bracteæ_ 2·5 cm. longae, ovatæ acuminatae.
_Pedicelli_ 1·7 cm. longi, teretes, glabri. _Perianthium_ plus
minusve nutans rubro-cinnabarinum; tubus 2·5 cm. longus,
infundibularis, ad apicem 8-9 mm. diametro; lobi circa 7 mm. longi
et 5 mm. lati, elliptici vel suborbiculari, minute apiculati.
_Stamina_ ad faucem perianthii inserta, biseriata, superioria
subexserta; antherae 4 mm. longae. _Ovarium_ 4 mm. longum,
ellipsoideum; stylus 2·2 cm. longus, filiformis, stigmatibus tribus
minutis.--N. E. BROWN.

=Transkei=, _Wickens_.

* * * * *

This is not such a conspicuous plant as some other species of the genus, yet the brilliant colouring of the perianth is sufficient to warrant attention being given to this species in collections.

Our plate was figured from specimens grown by Mr. Wickens from bulbs collected in the Transkei, where it is known as the “Red Dobo-lily.”

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ ovoid, 3 cm. in diameter, produced into a neck about 3 cm. long, with fleshy cylindrical roots from the base. _Leaves_ 4, 16-30 cm. long, 1·7 cm. broad, strap-shaped or linear-lanceolate, tapering to the apex, keeled beneath, channelled above, glabrous. _Peduncle_ arising at the side of the leaves, 14 cm. long, terete, solid, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ an umbel of about 11 flowers. _Bracts_ 2·5 cm. long, ovate, acuminate. _Pedicels_ 1·7 cm. long, terete, glabrous. _Perianth-tube_ 2·5 cm. long, 6 mm. in diameter at the throat, funnel-shaped, reddish-scarlet; lobes 5 mm. long, 5 mm. broad, elliptic or sub-orbicular, with a minute apiculus; the 3 outer lobes with a glandular structure at the apex. _Stamens_ inserted near the throat of the perianth-tube; anthers in 2 rows, sessile, 4 mm. long. _Ovary_ 4 mm. long, ellipsoid; style 2·2 cm. long, filiform; stigmas 3 linear.--E. PERCY PHILLIPS.

* * * * *

PLATE 37.--Fig. 1, leaf and flowers, natural size; Fig. 2, bulb and
base of leaves; Fig. 3, perianth laid open; Fig. 4, portion of
style showing the stigmas.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

S. Gower del.

OROTHAMNUS ZEYHERI, PAPPE.]

PLATE 38.

OROTHAMNUS ZEYHERI.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE.

OROTHAMNUS, _Pappe_; _Benth. et Hook. f._ vol. iii. p. 171 (under Mimetes).

* * * * *

=Orothamnus Zeyheri=, _Pappe in Bot. Mag._ t. 4357; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. 1, p. 650.

* * * * *

This species is another _rara avis_ of the Cape Flora. It was figured for the first time in 1848 (_Botanical Magazine_ t. 4357) from a painting sent by Dr. Pappe to Kew. Carl Zeyher discovered the species on the Hottentots Holland Mountains, and for very many years afterwards it remained unknown to botanists in the fresh state. Mr. E. J. Steer, of Cape Town, some years ago purchased specimens from a coloured flower-seller and photographed it, and this year (1920) it was met with more than once exposed for sale among the wild flowers in Adderley Street, Cape Town. Every effort of botanical collectors to discover the locality in which the species grows has up to now proved unsuccessful, and no information can be obtained from the coloured flower-pickers. The plant has no local name as far as we have been able to ascertain, and we propose the name “Zeyher’s Orothamnus” for this species.

Our plate was made from a fresh specimen bought in Cape Town by Mr. T. P. Stokoe.

DESCRIPTION:--An erect shrub, 6-8 ft. high. _Branches_ pilose with long hairs. _Leaves_ 1-2¼ in. long, ¾-1¼ in. broad, slightly imbricate, obovate or oblanceolate-spathulate, with a very obtuse blackish apex, slightly narrowing at the base, or rarely the upper leaves attenuated, distinctly 5-6 nerved, rigidly sub-coriaceous, densely ciliate when young, otherwise glabrous or more or less scantily pilose. _Heads_ sessile, 2-2½ in. long, many-flowered. _Involucral bracts_ petaloid, 4-5-seriate, 1¾-2 in. long, 4-12 lin. broad, spathulate-oblong, rounded at the apex, many-nerved, membranous, pilose, ciliate, rose-red, the outermost densely shaggy-pilose. _Perianth-tube_ 3 lin. long, cylindric, pubescent; segments lemon-yellow, 1¼ in. long, linear, pilose; limb 4 lin. long, linear scantily pilose. _Filaments_ swollen, fused with the perianth; anthers 3½ lin. long, linear, with an ovate obtuse apical gland ¼ lin. long. _Hypogynous scales_ 5-6 lin. long, linear, obtuse, brown. _Style_ 1¾ in. long, grooved, glabrous; stigma 3½ lin. long, grooved, obtuse; ovary 1 lin. long, globose. Fruit 3 lin. long, oblong, smooth and shining (ex. _Flora Capensis_).

* * * * *

PLATE 38.--Fig. 1, portion of plant, natural size; Fig. 2, a single
flower; Fig. 3, upper portion of a perianth-lobe showing a stamen;
Fig. 4, apex of style.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

K. A. Lansdell del.

CEROPEGIA RENDALLII, N.E. BR.]

PLATE 39.

CEROPEGIA RENDALLII.

_Transvaal._

* * * * *

ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe CEROPEGIEAE.

CEROPEGIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 779.

* * * * *

=Ceropegia Rendallii=, _N.E. Br. in Kew Bull._, 1894, p. 100; _Fl. Cap._ vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 814.

* * * * *

An exceedingly quaint and graceful little plant, and an acquisition to the greenhouse.

Our illustration was made from a specimen collected by Dr. Ethel M. Doidge at Onderstepoort, near Pretoria, and grown at the Division of Botany. The locality is a new record for the species as hitherto it had only been known from the Barberton and Lydenburg Districts.

The claw of the petal-lobes are united into a single column in the young flowers but in the older flowers become separated.

The species was first described by Mr. N. E. Brown, in 1894, and is now figured for the first time.

DESCRIPTION:--_Rootstock_ a flattened tuber, 2·5 cm. in diameter. _Stem_ twining, slender, glabrous. _Leaves_ 1·2-2·5 cm. long, 5-8 mm. broad, linear or linear-oblong, somewhat fleshy, apiculate, glabrous, sometimes with a slight ciliation on the margins. _Peduncles_ 1·5-2 cm. long, slender, with 2 small bracts about the middle, 1-3 flowered. _Sepals_ subulate. _Corolla-tube_ 2 cm. long, globose at the base, contracted into a funnel-shaped tube much dilated at the throat; lobes united into an umbrella-shaped canopy supported on claws about 5 mm. long. _Outer-corona_ about 1 mm. long, of 5 small pocket-like lobes, truncate at the top or rising into a minute deltoid point at the dorsal angle, inner coronal-lobes about 1 mm. long, falcate, recurved. _Follicles_ about 10 cm. long, 3 mm. in diameter, terete, tapering from about the middle to a slightly dilated apex, glabrous, greenish or irregularly striped with rupple-red.

* * * * *

PLATE 39.--Fig. 1, plant, natural size; Fig. 2, flower; Fig. 3,
canopy in fully-opened flower seen from above; Fig. 4, side view of
canopy in bud; Fig. 5, canopy in bud seen from above; Fig. 6,
corona; Fig. 7, follicles.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

K. A. Lansdell del.

SARCOCAULON RIGIDUM, SCHINZ.]

PLATE 40.

SARCOCAULON RIGIDUM.

_South-West Africa._

* * * * *

GERANIACEAE. Tribe GERANIEAE.

SARCOCAULON, _Sweet_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 272.

* * * * *

=Sarcocaulon rigidum=, _Schinz in Verh. Bot. Ver. Brand._, vol. xxix. p. 59, (1888).

* * * * *

This remarkable plant, one of the so-called “Bushman’s Candles” or “Candle Bush,” flowered in the garden of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in September, 1919. The specimens were collected by Major C. W. Lewis at Aus in South-West Africa. It is very closely allied to _S. Burmanni Sweet_.[D] We are indebted to the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for the determination.

The plant appears to do quite well in cultivation as specimens have flowered and set mature fruit for two seasons at Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ very stout and smooth, with a waxy epidermis. _Primary leaves_ with long petioles, which, after the blade falls off, are hardened so as to form thorns 1·5-4 cm. long; lamina 1-1·6 cm. long, 5-9 mm. broad, obovate, cuneate at the base, retuse or sometimes 3-toothed at the apex, glaucous, glabrous; secondary leaves arising in the axils of the primary leaves, sessile or sub-sessile, obovate, cordate at the apex, cuneate at the base, entire. _Stipules_ 2 mm. long, ovate-lanceolate, usually ciliate, deciduous. _Sepals_ 1·2 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, obovate-oblong, obtuse, bluntly mucronate and shortly bearded at the apex, with membranous margins, concave, glabrous. _Petals_ 2·2 cm. long, 1·6 cm. broad, obovate, somewhat truncate at the apex, glabrous, ciliate on the cuneate base. _Stamens_ 15, of two different lengths; the filaments of the 10 shorter stamens not equalling the styles, 7 mm. long, linear, tapering to the apex, ciliate below; the filaments of the 5 long stamens exceeding the styles, 1·2 cm. long; anthers 2 mm. long, oblong. _Ovary_ 3 mm. long, obovate in outline, silky; styles cohering, 6 mm. long, silky; stigmas 5, 2 mm. long, subterete, obtuse. _Carpels_ 1 cm. long, produced into a long awn densely pilose in the upper half.

* * * * *

PLATE 40.--Fig. 1, sepal; Fig. 2, petal; Fig. 3, stamens, enlarged;
Fig. 4, ovary and styles, enlarged; Fig. 5, transverse section of
ovary, enlarged; Fig. 6, fruit.

F.P.S.A., 1921.

INDEX TO VOLUME I.

PLATE

ACOKANTHERA SPECTABILIS, 24

ADENIUM MULTIFLORUM, 16

AGAPANTHUS UMBELLATUS, 1

ALOE GLOBULIGEMMA, 2

ALOE PIENAARII, 17

ALOE PRETORIENSIS, 18

ARCTOTIS FOSTERI, 3

BOLUSANTHUS SPECIOSUS, 23

CEROPEGIA MEYERI, 30

CEROPEGIA RENDALLII, 39

CLERODENDRON TRIPHYLLUM, 19

CLIVIA MINIATA, 13

CRASSULA FALCATA, 12

CYRTANTHUS CONTRACTUS, 4

CYRTANTHUS MCKENII, 33

CYRTANTHUS OBLIQUUS, 35

CYRTANTHUS ROTUNDILOBUS, 37

CYRTANTHUS SANGUINEUS, 25

FREESIA SPARMANII _v._ FLAVA, 11

GARDENIA GLOBOSA, 14

GERBERA JAMESONI, 5

GLADIOLUS PSITTACINUS, var. Cooperi, 6

GLADIOLUS REHMANNI, 20

HAEMANTHUS NATALENSIS, 32

LEUCADENDRON STOKOEI. (MALE.), 7

LEUCADENDRON STOKOEI. (FEMALE.), 8

MIMETES PALUSTRIS, 36

MORAEA IRIDIOIDES, 31

NYMPHAEA STELLATA, 29

OROTHAMNUS ZEYHERI, 38

PACHYPODIUM SUCCULENTUM, 21

PROTEA ABYSSINICA, 22

RICHARDIA ANGUSTILOBA, 10

RICHARDIA REHMANNI, 15

SARCOCAULON RIGIDUM, 40

SENECIO STAPELIAEFORMIS, 28

STAPELIA GETTLEFFII, 26

STREPTOCARPUS DUNNII, 27

TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA, 9

WITSENIA MAURA, 34

FOOTNOTES:

[A] NOTE.--Having been asked by Dr. Pole Evans to see the proofs of the first sheets of this new work through the press, he empowered me to make any change of nomenclature that might be necessary. For owing to the want of types and some of the rarer books at Pretoria, it is not always possible to make correct identifications there. From this cause the plants represented upon Plates 3 and 4 were misidentified, and the names “_Arctotis decurrens_” and “_Cyrtanthus angustifolius_” already printed upon the plates before they came into my hands for verification and found to represent new species. I have therefore substituted new names for these two plants, and have added Latin descriptions compiled from the drawings and Dr. Phillips’ English descriptions, which have not been altered.

It may not be out of place to state that the true _Arctotis decurrens_, Jacq. (which this species was supposed to be), differs by the basal leaves having usually only one small lobe or (grown under the condition of much moisture in a rich soil) two lobes on each side, and an elongated ovate oblong terminal lobe twice or more than twice as long as broad; the branching stem and peduncles have small entire leaves scattered along them; the ray florets are without a yellow spot at the base, and the pappus-scales are truncate (not pointed) at the tips.--N. E. BROWN.

[B] As stated under Plate 3, this plant had been supposed to be a form of _C. angustifolius_, and that name has unfortunately been printed upon the plate. It proves to be an entirely new species, well characterised by the very slender curved basal part of the flower-tube, and the long, tapering and very acute tips of the leaves, which are narrowed at the base into terete petioles, and also, to judge from the figure, are not produced at the same time as the flowers. In the true _C. angustifolius_, Aiton, the flowers and leaves are produced at the same time, the latter are flat to the base and very shortly pointed at the tips; the tube of the flower gradually narrows from apex to base without being contracted into a very slender basal part, and is less curved there.

There is a large-flowered variety of _C. angustifolius_ known as var. _grandiflorus_, Baker, which does not seem to be clearly understood in South Africa. A good figure of it, but reduced in size, appears in the _Gardeners’ Chronicle_, 1905, vol. 37, p. 261, f. 110, No. 2.--N. E. BROWN.

[C] NOTE. Although mistaken in South Africa for an allied species, this pretty bulb differs from all the other small-flowered species in the genus by its broad linear-lanceolate leaves, and the broadly elliptic or suborbicular perianth-lobes, which have suggested the specific name to me. In all the other species the perianth-lobes are oblong or elliptic-oblong. My description is compiled partly from the English description of Dr. Phillips and partly from a dried specimen.--N. E. BROWN.

[D] NOTE.--As Dr. Phillips has compared this plant with _S. Burmanni Sweet_, I would like to point out that it is very doubtful if the _S. Burmanni_ of the _Flora Capensis_ and the specimens in Herbaria so named, really represent the plant figured by Burmann, upon which that species was founded. Burmann (_Rar. Afr. Pl._ p. 7, t. 31) represents a plant with stems about half as thick as those of _S. rigidum_, constricted into short globose joints, with crenate (not entire) leaves and small flowers, of which he does not state the colours. I am doubtful if this plant is at present correctly represented in Herbaria.

It may also be well to point out that although the authority for the genus _Sarcocaulon_ and the species _S. Burmanni_ and _S. Heritieri_ are attributed to De Candolle in the _Flora Capensis_ they should be credited to Sweet, since De Candolle described them both as species of _Monsonia_ under the section _Sarcocaulon_, which Sweet rightly recognised as a distinct genus.

N. E. BROWN.