Chapter I: Part 1

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. V.

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.,
HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON

SOUTH AFRICA:
THE SPECIALTY PRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA, LTD.,
P.O. BOX 3958, JOHANNESBURG; P.O. BOX 388, CAPETOWN.
1925.

[_All rights reserved._]

THIS VOLUME
IS CORDIALLY DEDICATED
TO
THOMAS PEARSON STOKOE
OF CAPE TOWN

WHOSE INDEFATIGABLE EXERTIONS IN EXPLORING
THE FLORA OF THE CAPE MOUNTAINS HAVE
RENDERED VALUABLE SERVICE TO SOUTH AFRICAN
BOTANY BY THE DISCOVERY OF NEW PLANTS AND
THE RE-DISCOVERY OF MANY THAT WERE LONG
LOST, AND TO WHOSE ZEAL, ENTHUSIASM, AND
GENEROSITY AS A COLLECTOR THIS WORK IS
GREATLY INDEBTED.

DIVISION OF BOTANY, PRETORIA. _October, 1925._

PLATE 161.

COTYLEDON ORBICULATA.

_Cape Province, Transvaal._

CRASSULACEAE.

COTYLEDON, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 659.

* * * * *

=Cotyledon orbiculata=, _Linn. Sp. Pl._ 614; _Fl. Cap._ vol. ii. p. 371.

* * * * *

_Cotyledon orbiculata_ was first figured in the _Botanical Magazine_ in 1795, and stated to have been introduced into English gardens about the year 1690. The genus _Cotyledon_ differs from _Crassula_ (see Plate 115) by having twice as many stamens as petals. It is a large genus in South Africa, and represented by between 30 to 40 species. Several species of the genus are of economic interest inasmuch as they produce disease in stock. The well-known “Krimptziekte” of goats is caused by _C. Wallichii_. The Division of Veterinary Education and Research carried out some feeding experiments with _C. orbiculata_ in 1921 at Grahamstown, and definitely proved that feeding the leaves to fowls caused death.

Our plate was prepared from specimens grown at the Division of Botany, Pretoria. The plant goes under the common names of “hondenoor,” “Konterie,” “Varkens ooren,” and “pig’s-ear.”

DESCRIPTION:--Low shrubby somewhat succulent plant. _Stem_ with light-brown bark. _Leaves_ opposite, 6·5 to 8 cm. long, 4 to 4·5 cm. broad, obovate, subacute, glabrous, glaucous, with red margins. _Peduncle_ up to 27 cm. long, 8 mm. in diameter, terete, reddish in colour with a whitish bloom. _Inflorescence_ a panicle of cymes. _Calyx-tube_ almost none; lobes 5 mm. long, ovate, acute. _Corolla-tube_ 2·8 cm. long, 1·5 cm. in diameter; lobes 2 cm. long, 7 mm. broad, oblong, obtuse, slightly twisted counter-clockwise. _Stamens_ 10, five shorter inserted near the base of the corolla-tube, with a ring of hairs at the point of attachment and produced below the hairs into a strong rib; filaments subterete; anthers ovate. _Carpels_ as long as the shorter stamens. _Glands_ forming a deep concave body at the base of each carpel.

PLATE 161.--Fig. 1, longitudinal median section of the flower; Fig.
2, gynæcium, showing glands; Fig. 3, stamen; Fig. 4, tuft of hairs
on filament; Fig. 5, side view of gland at base of carpel.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 162.

SYNNOTIA BICOLOR.

_Cape Province._

IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

SYNNOTIA, _Sweet_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.

* * * * *

=Synnotia bicolor=, _Sweet_, _Hort. Brit._
ed. 2, p. 501; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 134.

* * * * *

This species was introduced into the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew by George Masson in 1786, and was described as a _Gladiolus_, and later in the _Botanical Magazine_ (t. 548) as a species of _Ixia_. From the former genus it is readily distinguished by the membranous lacerated spathe-valves and from the latter by the unilateral stamens.

The plant is rather stiff, but the individual flowers are quite charming. As will be seen from the illustration, the flowers resemble in general shape those of _Gladiolus orchidi-florus_ shown at Plate 165 of this work.

Our specimen was prepared from plants grown by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., from corms forwarded by Mrs. E. Rood of van Rhynsdorp.

DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ ellipsoid, 3 cm. long, 1·5 cm. in diameter, covered with fine reticulated sheaths. _Leaves_ 7 in a basal distichous rosette, 8 to 11 cm. long, 0·7 to 1·4 cm. broad, linear-oblong, very acute, with 1 more or less evident mid-rib, but many-veined when viewed in transmitted light. _Peduncle_ about 12 cm. long, flexuose, bearing about 6 distant flowers. _Outer spathe-valves_ 1 cm. long, deeply 3-partite, inner 2-partite. _Perianth_ distinctly 2-lipped; tube 1·5 cm. long, widening upwards; posterior segment 2·5 cm. long, erect, clawed, with an ovate obtuse limb; side-segments 1·7 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, more or less oblong, obtuse, spreading-reflexed; 3 anterior segments more or less horizontal and forming a distinct lip. _Style_ as long as the stamens, divided into 3 lobes dilated at the apex. (National Herb. Pretoria, No. 2860.)

PLATE 162.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
spathe-valve; Fig. 3, stamen; Fig. 4, style showing stigmas; Fig.
5, fruit.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 163.

GLADIOLUS TRICHOSTACHYS.

_Transvaal._

IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

GLADIOLUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.

* * * * *

=Gladiolus trichostachys=, _Baker in Bull._ _Herb. Boiss._ ser. II. vol. iv. p. 1006.

* * * * *

This charming little _Gladiolus_ was first found by Conrath at Irene, near Pretoria, and was again collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., in the same locality. It was described by Baker, with several other Transvaal species, in 1904, but is here figured for the first time.

The plant produces a single erect flowering stem with clasping leaves scarcely produced above. The species belongs to the Section _Hebea_, which we have illustrated on Plates 63 and 165 (_G. alatus_, _G. orchidiflorus_), and is closely related to _G. permeabilis_, a species common in the Cape Province, but which also extends into Bechuanaland. It is, however, easily distinguished from this species by the non-produced leaves and hairy stems.

Our illustration was made from the specimens collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at Irene.

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 2 cm. in diameter, globose, covered with brown fibres. _Stem_ pilose on the lower half. _Leaves_ clasping the stem, sheath pilose, hardly produced. _Inflorescence_ 13 cm. long, 7-to 10-flowered. _Outer spathe-valves_ 1·5 cm. long, somewhat membranous above, entire, bifid or trifid; inner spathe-valves similar to the outer, bifid. _Stamens_ shorter than the style; anthers somewhat sagittate at the base. _Style-branches_ cuneate, fimbriate on the edges.

PLATE 163.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, median longitudinal
section of flower; Fig. 3, outer spathe-valve; Fig. 4, inner
spathe-valve; Fig. 5, anther; Fig. 6, portion of style with style
branches.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 164.

ALOE CHABAUDII.

_Rhodesia._

LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.

ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.

* * * * *

=Aloe Chabaudii=, _Schonl. in Gard. Chron._ 1905, p. 162.

* * * * *

Dr. Schonland in his description of this _Aloe_ in the _Gardeners’ Chronicle_ states that it is allied to _A. striata_, and a reference to our Plate 55 will show the similarity of the flowers in the two species. The specimens from which the original description was prepared were collected by Mr. J. M. Brown in Rhodesia, but the exact locality is not known. They were grown and flowered by Mr. J. A. Chabaud of Port Elizabeth. The plant is erect with a short stem, and has not the reclining habit of _A. striata_. It is very suitable for large rockeries, and makes an effective display when in flower.

Our plate was prepared from specimens grown at the Division of Botany, Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION:--Acaulescent or almost so. _Leaves_ 18 to 24, forming an irregular rosette, up to 45 cm. long and 15 cm. broad near the base, about 2 cm. thick, ovate-lanceolate, unspotted, somewhat glaucous; upper surface indistinctly striate, nearly flat, except near the apex, where it is channelled; lower surface slightly convex; margin with a narrow horny border; prickles 1·5 mm. long or even smaller, at first flesh-coloured, brown in older leaves, straight or (especially in the upper portion of the leaf) curved forward, about 1·5 cm. apart, interspaces straight. _Inflorescence_ a loose panicle, with squarrose ascending branches 60 to 80 cm. in height, about 45 cm. in diameter; racemes lax, floriferous portion 15 to 20 cm. long; bracts deltoid, acuminate, membranous, lowest about 6 mm. long, upper gradually smaller; pedicels spreading, lowest 2 cm. long, upper only slightly smaller; perianth 3·5 cm. long, slightly curved, distinctly obconical at the base, swollen round the ovary, with three decided oblong indentations above it (in a line with the inner segments); outer segments pale brick-red with nearly white wings near the apex, inner with red median line and pale wings, which are yellowish at the apex; tube of corolla nearly two-thirds its length; filaments yellow, slightly exceeding the perianth in length, anthers pale terra-cotta; ovary broadly oblong, green; style yellow, not exserted; stigma very small, capitate (S. Schonland).

PLATE 164.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
bract; Fig. 3, anther; Fig. 4, apex of style.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 165.

GLADIOLUS ORCHIDIFLORUS.

_Cape Province._

IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

GLADIOLUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.

* * * * *

=Gladiolus orchidiflorus= _Andr. Bot. Rep._ t. 241; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 160.

* * * * *

In the _Botanical Magazine_ for the year 1803 (Plate 688) appeared an excellent figure of this species under the name _Gladiolus viperatus_, which was given owing to a fanciful resemblance to “the head and appearance of the jaws of the snake when raising itself for defence against its enemy and hissing.” Prior to the figure above quoted Jacquin illustrated the same species (1781-1786).

Like most species of _Gladiolus_, it lends itself to cultivation and is easily grown in pots.

A comparison of this plate of _G. orchidiflorus_ and Plate 63 (_G. alatus_ var. _namaquensis_) should be made with other plates of _Gladiolus_ figured. The two species belong to the section _Hebea_, all the members of which may be easily recognised by the long claws to the perianth-segments.

The plants from which our illustration was made were grown by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at Irene, near Pretoria, from corms sent by Mrs. E. Rood of van Rhynsdorp.

DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ 2·5 cm. diameter, depressed-globose, covered with fibrous tunics. _Produced leaves_ 4; lowest leaf with a lanceolate-linear blade, 6·5 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, prominently 2-ribbed; upper leaves up to 30 cm. long, 5 to 8 mm. broad, linear, acuminate, acute, with 2 of the ribs more prominent than the others, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ about half as long as the leaves, laxly few-flowered. _Perianth_ very unequal; the uppermost segment long-clawed and with an oblong obtuse blade membranous on the margins, arched over the flower and the style and stamens; side segments broadly ovate, clawed, and produced into an acuminate point; lower segments more or less forming a lip, spathulate, long-clawed, obtuse. _Stamens_ arched under the uppermost segment and completely hidden by it. _Style_ arched under the uppermost segment, projecting beyond its apex; lobes spathulate, papillose round the edges. (National Herb. Pretoria, No. 2858.)

PLATE 165.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, median longitudinal
section of flower; Fig. 3, corm; Fig. 4, spathe-valve; Fig. 5,
stamen; Fig. 6, top of style showing the 3 stigmas; Fig. 7, fruit.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 166.

LACHENALIA TRICOLOR. var. LUTEOLA.

_Cape Province._

LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.

LACHENALIA, _Jacq._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 807.

* * * * *

=Lachenalia tricolor=, _Thunb._ var. =luteola=, _Baker_.; _Jacq. Collect._ vol. iv. p. 148; _Ic._ vol. ii. p. 16, t. 395; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 424.

* * * * *

The _Lachenalia_ figured on the accompanying plate is among the most graceful species in the genus. It is closely allied to _L. pendula_, illustrated on Plate 158, but is distinguished by having the inner perianth-segments much longer than the outer. The plant was known to horticulturists in Europe almost 150 years ago, and was figured in colour between 1786 and 1793 by Jacquin, and again in the _Botanical Magazine_ in 1807.

_L. tricolor_ grows in the sandy parts of the Cape Province, but lends itself to cultivation in pots. It has been successfully grown at Irene, near Pretoria, by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., from bulbs supplied by Lady Smartt of “Glen Ban,” Stellenbosch, C.P., and from these specimens our illustration was made.

In the young flowering stage the buds are quite green, but become yellow in the lower half as they grow older, while in the adult flower the colour is a deep chrome (R. C. S.).

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ globose, 1·3 cm. in diameter, with long white roots from the base. _Leaves_ 2, up to 17 cm. long, 2·5 cm. broad at the base, 2 cm. broad above, strap-shaped, obtuse, glabrous. _Peduncle_ up to 16 cm. long, terete, green, spotted with brown. _Flowers_ racemose, pendulous, each flower arising from a small pocket formed by the bract. _Bract_ 3 mm. long, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, with a conical blunt spur. _Outer perianth-segments_ 1·6 cm. long, oblong, obtuse, one slightly beaked below the apex; inner segments 2·6 cm. long, widened upwards, obtuse. Stamens hardly exerted. _Style_ as long as the stamens, penicillate at the apex. (National Herb. Pretoria, No. 2857.)

* * * * *

PLATE 166.--Fig. 1, whole plant much reduced; Fig. 2, median longitudinal section of the flower; Fig. 3, bulb; Fig. 4, part of peduncle showing pocket-like bracts; Fig. 5, stamen; Fig. 6, upper portion of style showing stigma.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 167.

CRASSULA ROSULARIS.

_Cape Province_, _Natal_.

CRASSULACEAE.

CRASSULA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 657.

* * * * *

=Crassula rosularis=, _Harv._; _Fl. Cap._ vol. ii. p. 350.

* * * * *

_Crassula rosularis_ belongs to the section _Rosulares_, which is characterised by having rosulate flat radical leaves and a scape-like flowering stem. Unlike so many species of _Crassula_, it is a shade-loving plant.

The plant from which our illustration was made was found growing under Aloes near Greytown in Natal, whence it extends southwards to Uitenhage. It is a dainty little plant, and would thrive on a shaded rockery if supplied with humus and a fair amount of moisture. In its choice of habitat it resembles very much _C. flabellifolia_, _C. Saxifraga_ and _C. Septas_.

We are indebted to Lady Leuchars for the specimens.

DESCRIPTION:--An acaulescent plant. _Leaves_ rosulate, radical; lower leaves spathulate-oblong, about 5 cm. long; the upper leaves becoming gradually smaller and broadly ovate; all with cartilaginous-ciliated margins. _Peduncle_ scape-like, glabrous. _Flowers_ in peduncled cymes, arranged in a panicle on a common peduncle. _Pedicels_ about 2 mm. long. _Calyx_ half as long as the corolla; lobes lanceolate-oblong, ciliate. _Petals_ obovate-oblong, with a dorsal apiculus just below the apex. _Stamens_ 5, almost as long as the petals and alternating with them. _Glands_ of 5 scales opposite the carpels. _Carpels_ 5; styles short; stigmas capitate. (National Herb. Pretoria, No. 2859.)

PLATE 167.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
carpels; Fig. 3, stamens.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 168.

LISSOCHILUS SPECIOSUS.

_Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal._

ORCHIDACEAE. Tribe Vandeae.

LISSOCHILUS, _R. Br._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 536.

* * * * *

=Lissochilus speciosus=, _R. Br._ ex _Lindl. Coll. Bot._ t. 31; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. iii. p. 59.

* * * * *

_Lissochilus speciosus_ is one of the more common species of the genus and has a wide range of distribution. It is found in the Uitenhage Division, and then follows the coastal belt northwards, through the Transkei into Natal, and up to the northern spurs of the Drakensbergen in the Transvaal. The species has also been recorded from Mazoe in Rhodesia. Robert Brown’s genus _Lissochilus_, which he founded in 1821, was based on this species. But the late Dr. H. Bolus placed it in the genus _Eulophia_, and redescribed the plant as _Eulophia speciosa_ in 1890, and figured it under the same name in 1911 (_Orchids of South Africa_, vol. ii. t. 13).

The specimen from which our plate was made was found by Misses H. Forbes and S. Gower at Isipingo, Natal, and grown at the Division of Botany, Pretoria. It is common all along the slopes of the sandhills of the Southern Natal coast.

DESCRIPTION:--Pseudobulbs ovoid, 5 cm. or more long, with a few ovate sheaths, 3-to 5-leaved; leaves elongate, linear, acute, somewhat fleshy, without prominent veins, conduplicate below, not articulated above the base, 15 to 30 cm. or more long, 2 to 2·5 cm. or more broad; scapes erect, stout, up to nearly 1 m. long, with several spathaceous sheaths; racemes long, somewhat lax, many flowered, flowers medium-sized, bracts ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 2 to 2·5 cm. long; pedicels 2 to 2·5 cm. long; sepals ovate to ovate-oblong, subacute or acute, reflexed, green, about 1 cm. long; petals spreading, broadly ovate or ovate-suborbicular, subobtuse, about 2 cm. long, bright yellow; lip 3-lobed, nearly as long as the petals; side-lobes suberect, short and transversely oblong, white with a few reddish lines; front lobe broadly elliptic, obtuse, reflexed at the sides, yellow with a few reddish lines at the base; disc convex, with 3 obtuse keels; spur very short, broadly conical, obtuse, column oblong, 6 mm. long (_Flora Capensis_).

PLATE 168.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced: Fig. 2, median longitudinal
section of flower; Fig. 3, bract; Fig. 4, anthers; Fig. 5, back
view of anthers.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 169.

ALOE FEROX.

_Cape Province_, _Natal_, _Transvaal_.

LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.

ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.

* * * * *

=Aloe ferox=, _Miller, Gard. Dict._ ed. viii. No. 22; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 326.

* * * * *

This species of _Aloe_ is unique among the South African representatives of the genus as being of some economic importance. The thick juice of the leaves yields the commercial product “aloes.” The method of preparing “aloes” is as follows: A hole is scooped in the ground and lined with a skin, and the cut ends of the leaves are placed on the skin so that the juice exudes and collects. The thick juice is then heated, and on cooling the “aloes” crystallise out.

_Aloe ferox_ is very common in parts of the south-eastern Cape Province and in the midlands of Natal, and the plants form a very characteristic feature in the landscape. Plants may reach a height of 8 to 12 feet, and the simple stem is crowned with a dense rosette of leaves, while the lower portion of the stem is covered with the remains of the leaves.

Our plate was prepared from a specimen flowering at the Division of Botany, Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ simple. _Leaves_ many in a dense terminal rosette, varying from 0·5 to 1 m. long, 10 to 15 cm. broad below and gradually narrowing above, convex on the lower surface, concave on the upper surface, prickly on the edges; prickles stout, slightly recurved. _Inflorescence_ a terminal branched raceme. _Racemes_ up to 0·6 m. long, very dense. _Bracts_ ovate, cuspidate. _Perianth-segments_ 1·3 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, oblong, cucullate at the apex. _Filaments_ linear; anthers not much broader than the filaments. _Style_ cylindric, stigma simple.

PLATE 169.--Fig. 1, leaf (× 1/8); Fig. 2, margin of leaf showing
prickles; Fig. 3, cross-section of leaf; Fig. 4, bract; Fig. 5,
flower bud; Fig. 6, mature flower; Fig. 7, perianth-segments; Fig.
8, portion of inner and outer perianth-segments; Fig. 9, stamens,
front and back view.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 170.

LEUCADENDRON HUMIFUSUM.

_Cape Province._

PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEAE.

LEUCADENDRON, _R. Br._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 169.

* * * * *

=Leucadendron humifusum=, _E. Mey. in Drege, Zwei. Pfl. Documente_, pp. 64, 118, 198; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. i. p. 549.

* * * * *

This interesting species of _Leucadendron_ was first collected by Drege between the years 1826 and 1829, and then completely lost sight of, as none of the later collectors are credited with finding it again. In August, 1922, Mr. T. P. Stokoe came across the plant on the Hottentot Holland Mountains, and thus had the honour of bringing to the notice of South African botanists a species which had not been collected for almost one hundred years. We take this opportunity of giving a fuller description of the plant than that appearing in the _Flora Capensis_, and describe the female plant for the first time.

DESCRIPTION:--A shrub. _Branches_ tomentose, at length becoming glabrous. _Leaves_ 3·5 to 7 cm. long, 0·7 to 1·6 cm. broad (those surrounding the heads a little larger), oblong or oblong-lanceolate, with a blunt callous apex, slightly narrowed to a rather broad base, with 3 distinct veins from above the base, glabrous. _Male head_ sessile, 2·5 to 3 cm. long (including the flowers), 2·5 cm. in diameter, surrounded by about 8 series of involucral bracts. _Involucral bracts_ 1·15 to 1·3 cm. long, 8 to 8·5 mm. broad, oblong, the outer shortly cuspidate and with ciliated margins, inner rounded at the apex and without cilia, all glabrous. _Receptacle_ 1 cm. high, 1 cm. in diameter, club-shaped. _Perianth-tube_ 7 mm. long, somewhat compressed, glabrous; lobes 8 mm. long, linear, obtuse at the apex, glabrous. _Anthers_ 5 mm. long, linear. _Style_ 1·1 cm. long, terete, pilose below; stigma faintly two-lobed. _Female-head_ 1·6 cm. long, 2 cm. in diameter, surrounded by about 4 series of involucral bracts. _Involucral bracts_ 1·2 to 1·5 cm. long, up to 1·4 cm. broad, ovate, shortly cuspidate, obtuse, the outer ciliated, the inner without cilia, all glabrous. _Receptacle_ 1 cm. high, 6 mm. broad, conical. _Perianth-tube_ 8 mm. long, compressed, long-pilose; limb 2 mm. long, linear, obtuse, glabrous. _Staminodes_ 0·75 mm. long. _Ovary_ 1 mm. long, 0·75 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid, pilose; style 1 cm. long, linear, gradually narrowing to the base; stigma flat and oblique.

PLATE 170.--Fig. 1, female head; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3,
longitudinal section of female head; Fig. 4, female flower; Fig. 5,
pistil; Fig. 6, male head; Fig. 7, bract; Fig. 8, longitudinal
section of male head; Fig. 9, male flower.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 171.

ALOE MARLOTHII.

_Transvaal._

LILACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.

ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.

* * * * *

=Aloe Marlothii=, _Berger in Engl. Bot. Jahrb._ vol. xxxviii. p. 87.

* * * * *

_Aloe Marlothii_ is a very close ally of _A. ferox_ figured on Plate 169, but a careful comparison of the two will show points of difference which enables one to distinguish the two species. The inflorescence in _A. Marlothii_ has the primary branches horizontal and the flowers are more or less on one side of the axis, and not arranged so as to form a cylindric raceme, as in _A. ferox_. The leaves of the species also differ, those of _A. Marlothii_ being concave-convex in cross-section and with both the upper and lower surfaces bearing prickles, while in _A. ferox_ the leaf is biconvex in cross-section.

Plants of _A. Marlothii_ up to 15 ft. high are often found, and they make a very ornamental show in the rockery.

Our plate was prepared from specimens grown at the Division of Botany, Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION:--_Leaves_ up to 1 m. long, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, acute, concave-convex in cross-section, prickly on the face and back, with the margins armed with prickles. _Inflorescence_ a branched raceme, with the primary branches horizontal. _Flowers_ more or less secund. _Bracts_ broadly ovate, shortly acuminate. _Perianth_ tubular. _Stamens_ at length exserted. _Ovary_ ellipsoid, style cylindric, at length exserted; stigma small.

PLATE 171.--Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, median
longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 3, bract; Fig. 4, part of
stamen; Fig. 5, pistil.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 172.

HYPOXIS ROOPERI.

_Basutoland_, _Cape Province_, _Natal_, _Transvaal_.

AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe HYPOXIDEAE.

HYPOXIS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 717.

* * * * *

=Hypoxis Rooperi=, _Moore in Gard. Comp. 1_, 65, cum icone; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 188.

* * * * *

The accompanying plate is our first illustration of a characteristic South African genus, namely, _Hypoxis_. The genus contains over sixty species, of which number more than forty are found in the Union, the remainder being natives of tropical Africa, tropical Asia, Australia and America.

The species is acaulescent, with a large underground corm crowned with a ring of bristles, and bears a number of distichous leaves. The flower-stalks arise from the axils of the leaves.

It is quite a common plant in the south-eastern portion of the Cape Province, and extends through East Griqualand into Natal and northwards into the Drakensbergen round Barberton. It has, however, also been recorded from the Potchefstroom District in the Transvaal.

In winter the leaves die down, but appear again as soon as the frosts cease, and sometimes long before the summer rains commence the plants are in full bloom in the veld.

Our plate was prepared from specimens flowering at the Division of Botany, Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION:--_Leaves_ up to 30 cm. long, 3·2 cm. broad, strap-shaped, narrowing upwards, falcate, folded from the midrib, closely and distinctly ribbed, almost glabrous on the upper surface, softly pilose on the back and margins. _Peduncles_ much shorter than the leaves, villous. _Bracts_ 1·3 cm. long, linear, acute, villous on the back. _Pedicels_ up to 1·6 cm. long, villous. _Outer perianth-segments_ 2·2 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, oblong, obtuse; inner segments 2·1 cm. long, 1·5 cm. broad, elliptic, obtuse. _Filaments_ shorter than the anthers. _Ovary_ subglobose, villous, stigmas 3-lobed, papillose on the margins.

PLATE 172.--Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, portion of
peduncle showing bracts and part of pedicels; Fig. 3, flower,
surface view; Fig. 4, flower, back view; Fig. 5, anthers; Fig. 6,
stigma, side and top views; Fig. 7, transverse section of ovary.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 173.

CRASSULA COLUMNARIS.

_Cape Province._

CRASSULACEAE.

CRASSULA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 657.

* * * * *

=Crossula columnaris=, _Linn. f. Suppl. 191_; _Fl. Cap._ vol. ii. p. 358.

* * * * *

This quaint little _Crassula_ may be found in parts of the Karroo and also in Namaqualand. It has on several occasions been collected in the neighbourhood of Matjesfontein and Ceres. In its native home, where it is usually exposed to the full force of the sun’s rays, it is far more compact than is shown in our illustration, which was made from a plant grown partly in the shelter of a tree. It is easily cultivated on the rockery if not kept too moist, as an abundance of water causes the plant to rot. It is a charming object when in flower, and growers of South African succulents should certainly try to secure specimens of this species, as in shape it is more or less unique in the genus _Crassula_.

Our plate was prepared from specimens presented by Mr. A. J. Austin of Matjesfontein, and grown at the Division of Botany, Pretoria. We are indebted to Dr. R. Marloth for a photograph of the plant as it grows, and part of the plate has been prepared from this.

DESCRIPTION:--_Leaves_ 2·8 cm. broad, usually less than 1 cm. long, deeply concave on the inner face. _Inflorescence_ a compact globose head. _Calyx_ shortly campanulate at the base; lobes linear-spathulate, fringed above with papillose hairs. _Corolla_ somewhat ventricose below, tubular above; lobes linear-spathulate. _Stamens_ much shorter than the corolla-lobes. _Hypogynous glands_ spathulate above, narrowed into a long claw. _Carpels_ ventricose below, narrowed upwards, somewhat recurved above.

PLATE 173.--Fig. 1, a single leaf and cross-section of leaf; Fig.
2, single flower; Fig. 3, corolla laid open showing the stamens;
Fig. 4, calyx-lobe, much enlarged; Fig. 5, corolla-lobe, enlarged;
Fig. 6, gynaecium, showing hypogynous glands.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 174.

SENECIO TAMOIDES.

_Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal._

COMPOSITAE. Tribe SENECIONIDEAE.

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

* * * * *

=Senecis tamoides=, _DC. Prodr._ vol. vi. p. 403; _Fl. Cap._ vol. iii. p. 404.

* * * * *

The species here figured belongs to a small group of species in the genus (Section _Scandentes_), which is characterised by its members being climbing, half-climbing or trailing plants. _Senecio tamoides_ is a very common plant in the bush and the coastal belt, and its large trusses of bright yellow, honey-scented flowers show up in strong contrast against the background of dark green foliage. At Durban, Natal, the flowers are frequently attacked by an insect, and as a result a gall is formed inside the flower head. The gall enlarges into a cylindric green body much longer than the flower-head, and each contains a single larva.

_Senecio tamoides_ has been recorded from the Chipete Forest in Rhodesia, and was also collected by Mr. E. E. Galpin, F.L.S., at Barberton in the Transvaal.

Our illustration was made from specimens collected by Miss K. A. Lansdell on the Berea, Durban.

DESCRIPTION:--A climbing herb. _Branches_ glabrous. _Leaves_ 2·2 to 5·5 cm. long, 2·7 to 6 cm. broad, ovate, acuminate, subobtuse, somewhat hastate, with the margins acutely lobulate, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ a many-headed corymb. _Involucral-bracts_ about 6, 8 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, oblong-linear, obtuse, with membranous margins. _Ray-florets_: _Tube_ 5 mm. long, cylindric; limb 6·5 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, oblong. _Style_ exserted; style branches filiform. _Disc-florets_ male, cylindric, 6·5 mm. long, lobes ·75 mm. long, linear, obtuse. _Anthers_ blunt. _Style-branches_ linear, truncate. _Ovary_ infertile, 3 mm. long, cylindric, ribbed, glabrous. _Pappus_ copious.

PLATE 174.--Fig. 1, ray-floret; Fig. 2, disc-floret.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 175.

GLADIOLUS TRISTIS.

_Cape Province._

LILIACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

GLADIOLUS, _Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.

* * * * *

=Gladiolus tristis=, _Linn. Sp. Plant._ ed. 2, i. 53, ex parte; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 139.

* * * * *

There appears to be a great deal of confusion between this species of _Gladiolus_ and _G. grandis_, even among the specimens quoted under these species in the “Flora Capensis”; and possibly when a large range of living specimens is examined the two species now upheld will be referred to a single species. _Gladiolus tristis_ is quite a handsome member of the genus, and while not so highly coloured as some, the large semi-translucent flowers with such delicate markings have a charm of their own; besides which, the flowers are very sweetly scented. The species is readily raised from seed, and under proper cultivation it flowers about fifteen months after sowing.

Our plate was made from plants grown by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at Irene near Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ 1·5 cm. in diameter, globose. _Produced leaves_ 2 or 3; the lowest up to 36 cm. long, 4-angled, appearing as a cross in transverse section, glabrous; upper leaves similar but shorter. _Inflorescence_ usually 3-flowered. _Outer spathe-valves_ 3·5 cm. long, lanceolate-oblong, acute; inner spathe-valve similar, but slightly curved and gradually narrowing upwards; lobes 3·5 cm. long, 2·8 cm. broad, ovate, bluntly acuminate, obtuse minutely apiculate. _Stamens_ shorter than the style. _Style-branches_ cuneate, papillose on the margins.

PLATE 175.--Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, corm, showing
bulbil; Fig. 3, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 4,
portion of leaf; Fig. 5, cross-section of leaf; Fig. 6, anther with
part of filament; Fig. 7, stigmae with part of style; Fig. 8,
ovary.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 176.

SARCOPHYTE SANGUINEA.

_Cape Province._

BALANOPHORACEAE. Tribe SARCOPHYTEAE.

SARCOPHYTE, _Sparrm._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 234.

* * * * *

=Sarcophyte sanguinea=, _Sparrm. in Vet. Acad. Handl. Stockh. 1776_, 300, t. 7; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. ii. p. 213.

* * * * *

The family _Balanophoraceae_, to which our plant belongs, comprises plants all of which are parasitic on the roots of trees and shrubs. There are about fifty species, spread over about fifteen genera, widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions. In South Africa the family is represented by two genera and four species.

_Sarcophyte sanguinea_ is usually found as a parasite on the roots of _Acacia Karroo_, but so far as we know does not follow the same distribution as its host, but is confined to the eastern portion of the Cape Province. The plant really consists of a large inflorescence arising from the ground, and the two sexes are distinct. When in flower it has a most objectionable stench, so much so that the presence of a plant is known long before it is actually seen.

The accompanying plate illustrates a male plant.

DESCRIPTION:--Male plant about 30 cm. high. _Root-stock_ thick, irregularly lobed, verrucose; stem short erect; leaves reduced to oblong obtuse or subacute scales up to 2 cm. long and 1·2 cm. wide. _Inflorescence_ much-branched; flowers usually in pairs on short pedicels which are connate below. _Perianth-segments_ navicular, almost patent, very thick and fleshy, subacute, 4 mm. long, 2·5 mm. wide; filaments 3 to nearly 4 mm. long, cylindrical; anthers terminal, scarcely wider than the filaments. Female plants very similar to the male, but rather shorter, flowers numerous in subglobose shortly stalked heads about 6 mm. in diameter. _Ovary_ 1-3-celled; ovule solitary, pendulous; stigma discoid, sessile; fruit a syncarpium; seed about 1 mm. long (_Flora Capensis_).

PLATE 176.--Fig. 1, scale-like leaf; Fig. 2, portion of male
inflorescence; Fig. 3, single male flower, showing the three
perianth-segments and the 3 stamens; Fig. 4, single stamen.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 177.

PROTEA PITYPHYLLA.

_Cape Province._

PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEAE.

PROTEA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 169.

* * * * *

=Protea pityphylla=, _Phillips in Kew Bulletin_, 1910, 234; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. i. p. 594.

* * * * *

We have pleasure in showing for the first time this species of _Protea_, hitherto not figured in botanical publications. On a previous occasion we published an illustration of a broad-leaved variety, _P. pityphylla_, var. _latifolia_ (see Plate 108). Another variety with short leaves resembling those of _P. rosacea_ has been collected in the Ronde Bokkeveld, but it may be at once distinguished from this species by the foliaceous appendages of the outer bracts.

The late Dr. MacOwan distributed the species as a “sp. nov.” in 1888, and it is only within recent years that it has been at all largely collected.

The species has been successfully cultivated at the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch, and is well worth the attention of gardeners interested in plants typically South African.

Our plate was prepared from specimens presented by Dr. R. Marloth.

DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ glabrous; leaves 6 to 8 cm. long, about 1 mm. wide, needle-shaped, acute, pungent, channelled and prominently costate on the upper face, glabrous. _Head_, sessile, 4 to 4·5 cm. long, about 6·5 cm. in diameter, cernuous. _Involucral-bracts_ 7-seriate, glabrous; outer ovate, acuminate, obtuse or acute, the lowest produced into long foliaceous appendages resembling the leaves, inner oblong, slightly concave, exceeding the flowers. _Perianth-sheath_ 1·5 cm. long, dilated, 3-keeled and 7-nerved below, scarious, rufously setulose within in the upper part, otherwise glabrous; lip 5 mm. long, 3-toothed, 3-keeled, setose below; teeth subequal, 0·5 mm. long. _Stamens_ all fertile; filaments 0·5 mm. long, dilated, concave; anthers oblong-linear, 3 mm. long, apical glands 0·25 mm. long, ovate, subacute, somewhat swollen on the inner face. _Ovary_ 2 mm. long, obovate-oblong, covered with long reddish-yellow hairs; hypogynous scales 1 mm. long, oval-oblong; style up to 2·2 cm. long, widened and much compressed from the base upwards for 6 mm., then much constricted and strongly bent and subulate, the slender portion obliquely arching inwards, glabrous: stigma 3 mm. long, obtuse (_Flora Capensis_).

PLATE 177.--Fig. 1, single flower; Fig. 2, single flower opened;
Fig. 3, lip of perianth-segments showing the three stamens; Fig. 4,
receptacle.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 178.

ALOE RUPESTRIS.

_Namaqualand._

LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.

ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.

* * * * *

=Aloe rupestris=, _Baker in Flora Capensis_, vol. vi. p. 326.

* * * * *

This remarkable _Aloe_ belongs to the same section of the genus as _A. ferox_, which we figured on Plate 169, but differs in having leaves which are not prickly on the under surface. It is only found, so far as we know, in Namaqualand, where it grows on rocky ground, and was first distributed by MacOwan. The locality from which the original specimens came was between Port Nolloth and Spektakel. The plant grows to a height of 10 to 12 feet, and produces a large terminal panicle of racemes which overtops the leaves. The young flowers are greenish-yellow in colour, but become red when adult. This difference in colour between the young and adult flowers is not an uncommon character in the genus, and we have noted it before in _A. Wickensii_ (Plate 41).

The plant from which our plate was prepared was presented by Dr. R. Marloth, and flowered at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in September 1924.

DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ almost 2 m. high, thick. _Leaves_ in a rosette at the apex of the stem, up to 60 cm. long, 5 cm. broad near the base, lanceolate-ovate, acuminate, not prickly on either side, with small deltoid marginal teeth. _Inflorescence_ much-branched; racemes dense, 15 to 20 cm. long. _Bracts_ small. _Pedicels_ short. _Perianth_ over 2 cm. long; segments divided almost to the base, oblong, with a distinct green keel. _Stamens_ and _style_ much exserted.

PLATE 178.--Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, median
longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 3, flowers in various stages
of development; Fig. 4, stamen; Fig. 5, apex of style.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 179.

SENECIO FULGENS.

_Natal, Transvaal._

COMPOSITAE. Tribe SENECIONIDEAE.

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

* * * * *

=Senecio fulgens=, _Nicholson Dict. Gard._ vol. iii. p. 420; Kleinia fulgens, _Hook. Bot. Mag._ t. 5590.

* * * * *

This species of _Senecio_ belongs to the section _Kelinoidei_ of the genus, to which section _Senecio stapelliaeformis_, figured on Plate 28, is also referred. The species was first introduced into England from Natal by a Mr. Plant in 1886, and flowered at Kew the same year. From these specimens the plate in the “Botanical Magazine” was made.

A comparison of the present plate with that of the “Botanical Magazine” quoted above will show that our plant has a more lax habit, and this is to be explained by the fact that it is growing under the shelter of a large tree. The shape and dentition of the leaves vary considerably. The young leaves are narrowly (1·5 cm.) lanceolate, while adult leaves are broadly (4·5 cm.) obovate. Some of the leaves are quite entire, while others are remotely toothed. All these variations are found on the same plant. On young branches the leaves are grouped in more or less of a rosette at the apex of the branch.

The species is well worthy of cultivation, as it grows luxuriantly and flowers profusely, and often produces flowering stems over 30 cm. long. The flowers are coral-red (R.C.S., Plate XIII).

DESCRIPTION:--A herbaceous shrub up to ·6 m. high. _Leaves_ more or less crowded at the base, 6 to 12 cm. long, 1·5 to 4·5 cm. broad, lanceolate, lanceolate-obovate to obovate, narrowed at the base, entire or remotely toothed, glaucous, fleshy; the older leaves channelled on the upper surface in the lower portion and distinctly keeled beneath. _Flowering stems_ up to 30 cm. long, with scattered leaves 2 to 9 cm. apart, which decrease in size upwards, usually simple. _Heads_ homogamous, solitary. _Involucral-bracts_ 1·9 cm. long, concrete, forming a tube 1 cm. in diameter and oblong in outline, produced into nine lanceolate lobes above. _Receptacle_ slightly concave. _Corolla-tube_ 1·9 cm. long, cylindric, very gradually widening upwards; lobes 2 mm. long, spreading, ovate-oblong, obtuse. _Anthers_ blunt at the base, with a lanceolate apical appendage. _Style-branches_ much recurved, obtuse, with marginal papillae. _Ovary_ 5 mm. long, cylindric, glabrous. _Pappus_ 1·2 cm. long, of many fine bristles. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2738.)

PLATE 179.--Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, cross-section of
leaf; Fig. 3, longitudinal section of head; Fig. 4, median
longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 5, anthers; Fig. 6, style;
Fig. 7, fruit and pappus.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 180.

ALOE SESSILIFLORA.

_Transvaal._

LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.

ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.

* * * * *

=Aloe sessiliflora=, _Pole Evans in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr._ vol. v. p. 708.

* * * * *

The species of _Aloe_ figured on the accompanying plate belongs to the less conspicuous members of the genus. The small cream-yellow flowers do not make the inflorescence very attractive. _Aloe sessiliflora_ was collected in the Barberton District by Mr. J. E. Wickens, and flowered at the Union Buildings for the first time in June and July of 1914. Mr. Geo. Thorncroft subsequently collected the plant near Barberton. During the winter months the leaves are of a distinct reddish colour, while in summer they are bright green. The flowers contain drops of very dark nectar at the base of the perianth.

Our plate was made from specimens growing at the Division of Botany, Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ up to 90 cm. high. _Leaves_ in a dense rosette at the apex of the stem, 45 to 60 cm. long. 6 to 8 cm. broad, spreading or recurved, fleshy, channelled above, convex beneath, with the margins toothed. _Peduncle_ simple, 60 to 75 cm. long, laterally compressed, covered with numerous oblong brown bracts. _Spike_ densely many-flowered, more or less cylindric; bracts 10 mm. long, 7 mm. wide, ovate-cuspidate, 3-nerved. _Flowers_ campanulate-cylindric; perianth 14 mm. long; segments free; the outer 5 mm. broad, spathulate, fleshy-coloured with three longitudinal dark nerves; the inner 8 mm. broad, yellowish at the edges and with a reddish or greenish median line. _Stamens_ and _style_ protruding 8 to 10 mm. beyond the perianth. _Capsule_ 9 to 10 mm. long, cylindric-oblong, enclosed in the dry peri-anth. _Seeds_ 3 mm. long, three-angled, greyish, very narrowly winged. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2880.)

PLATE 180.--Fig. 1, habit; Fig. 2, median section of flower; Fig.
3, pistil; Fig. 4, stamen; Fig. 5, bract.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 181.

STAPELIA GIGANTEA var. PALLIDA.

_Transvaal (?)._

ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe STAPELIEAE.

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

* * * * *

=Stapelia gigantea=, _N.E. Br._ var. =Pallida=, _Phillips_ var. nov., a typo corolla depressiore differt.

* * * * *

The _Stapelia_ figured on the accompanying Plate is very near _S. gigantea_, N.E. Br., from which it differs, however, in having the disc portion of the corolla more depressed and being much lighter in colour. It appears to be an intermediate form between this species and _S. nobilis_, N.E. Br., differing from the latter species in not having such a cup-shaped corolla-disc and not having the lobes of the outer corona 3-toothed. The locality in which the plant is found is not known, and the specimen from which our Plate was prepared was kindly presented by Dr. A. J. T. Janse, who grew it in his rockery.

Description:--_Stems_ robust, bright green, finely pubescent, prominently ridged, with each ridge ending in a tooth-like leaf. _Flowers_ solitary. _Pedicel_ 5 cm. long, terete, finely pubescent. _Sepals_ 1·1 cm. long, lanceolate, acute, pubescent. _Corolla_ 25 cm. in diameter when expanded; lobes 10 cm. long, 3 cm. broad at the base, ovate, long-attenuate, pubescent without, transversely rugose and with fine purple hairs on the inner face; disc shallowly depressed, covered with long soft purple hairs. _Outer_ corona-lobes oblong; inner corona-lobes deeply cleft, with the outer lobes plate-like and the inner lobes linear. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2891.)

PLATE 181.--Fig. 1, side view of flower; Fig. 2, corona; Fig. 3,
cross-section through stem.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 182.

GLADIOLUS CRUENTUS.

_Natal, Basutoland._

IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

GLADIOLUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.

* * * * *

=Gladiolus cruentus=, _Moore in Gard. Chron._ 1868, 1138; _Bot. Mag._ t. 5810; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 157.

* * * * *

This is the first opportunity we have had of figuring a species of _Gladiolus_ belonging to the section Cardinales. As far as our records go the species appears to be little known to botanical science. In 1868 a Mr. Bull flowered it in his nursery at Chelsea, and it was from specimens supplied by Mr. Bull that the Plate in the _Botanical Magazine_ was prepared. We are indebted to Mr. L. F. Wacher, who sent us specimens from Basutoland in 1923, for information about this beautiful plant. Mr. Wacher states that the plant grows in many places in the mountain area of Basutoland, and it is probable that the species is confined to the high mountain regions of Natal and Basutoland. While we have no definite information as to the precise habitat, there appears to be little doubt that it favours similar localities to _G. cardinalis_ of the Cape Province, which is usually found growing near waterfalls.

DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ 3·5 cm. in diameter, with thick cylindric roots. _Leaves_ about four, 16 to 30 cm. long, 1·5 to 2·5 cm. broad, ensiform, glabrous. _Spike_ few-flowered. _Spathe-valves_ large, lanceolate; the lower from 7 to 15 cm. long. _Perianth-tube_ funnel-shaped, curved; upper segments 5 to 6·5 cm. long, obovate-spathulate; lower segments about 4 cm. long, with a white blotch at the throat covered with red spots. _Style-branches_ papillose on the margins.

PLATE 182.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2,
style showing the style-branches.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 183.

GAZANIA SUFFRUTICOSA.

_S.W. Africa._

COMPOSITAE. Tribe ARCTOTIDEAE.

GAZANIA, _Gaertn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_, vol. ii. p. 459.

* * * * *

=Gazania suffruticosa=, _Muschler in Engl. Bot. Jahrb._ vol. 46, p. 120.

* * * * *

In a collection of succulents received from South-West Africa and planted at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, fruits of this _Gazania_ were evidently mixed with the soil, as a plant grew in the succulent bed. It is a somewhat remarkable species and differs considerably in habit from the two species previously figured on Plates 51 and 64. The whole plant is covered with cobwebby hairs. The leaves are somewhat succulent, extremely brittle, and snap when bent; they are also easily snapped from the branches.

The single specimen in the garden has made vigorous growth and promises to do well under cultivation. It flowered in May of this year.

DESCRIPTION:--A branched herb up to 30 cm. high. _Branches_ cobwebby. _Leaves_ 5·5 to 7·5 cm. long, 1 to 1·5 cm. broad above, obovate-spathulate, narrowed into a petiole, pungent at the apex, irregularly lobed, or toothed, with the lobes and teeth tipped with a short pungent mucro, cobwebby above and beneath. _Flower-heads_ in the axils of the leaves. _Peduncles_ slightly longer, as long as or shorter than the leaves with tufts of cobwebby hairs. _Involucre_ 1·8 cm. long, 6 mm. in diameter below, the concrete portion oblong in outline, inflexed at the base, sparsely cobwebby; outermost lobes 2·5 to 4 mm. long, ovate, acute; inner lobes 1 cm. long, ovate, acuminate, acute, with membranous margin. _Ray-florets_ neuter; tube 9 mm. long, somewhat compressed; limb 1·6 cm. long, 7 mm. broad, obovate-elliptic, yellow, with a black eye-spot. _Disc-florets_: tube 7 mm. long, cylindric; lobes 1·5 mm. long, oblong, shortly acuminate, subobtuse. _Anthers_ minutely sagittate at the base. _Ovary_ very villous; style-branches linear, obtuse. _Pappus_ of many delicate very narrow scales 5 mm. long.

PLATE 183.--Fig. 1, involucre; Fig. 2, longitudinal section through
involucre; Fig. 3, ray-floret; Fig. 4, disc-floret.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 184.

LACHENALIA RUBIDA var. TIGRINA.

_Cape Province._

LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.

LACHENALIA, _Jacq._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 807.

* * * * *

=Lachenalia rubida=, _Jacq._ var. =tigrina=, _Bkr. Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 424.

* * * * *

On Plate 158 we figured a species _Lachenalia pendula_ belonging to the same subgenus (_Eulachenalia_) as the species here described. _Lachenalia rubida_ is a graceful little plant, though not so handsome as some species of the genus. It was figured by Jacquin between the years 1786-1793, from plants cultivated in Europe, so that it has been known for over 130 years to botanists.

The species appears to be confined to the Clanwilliam, Calvinia and van Rhynsdorp Districts of the Cape Province, and as far as our records go does not appear to have been frequently collected.

We are indebted to Mrs. E. Rood of van Rhynsdorp for the specimens from which our Plate was prepared.

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 1·5 cm. in diameter at the base, ovoid, white. _Produced leaves_ 1 or 2, as long or slightly longer than the naked portion of the peduncle, with the free portion 1·8 to 2·2 cm. broad, elliptic-oblong or ovate-oblong, obtuse, with dark brown blotches on a dark green background, sometimes the spots absent, convolute and clasping the peduncle for the greater portion of its length. _Peduncle_ with maroon-coloured spots on a yellowish background; in concolorus leaves peduncle almost uniformly coloured. _Inflorescence_ 6-7-flowered. _Bracts_ forming small pockets from which the flowers arise. _Pedicels_ 3 mm. long. _Outer perianth-segments_ O·5 cm. shorter than the inner, slightly gibbous at the base, thickly speckled with red spots on a yellowish background; inner perianth-segments oblong, obtuse. _Stigma_ capitulate. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2901.)

PLATE 184.--Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of a flower; Fig.
2, single flower; Fig. 3, anthers; Fig. 4, pistil.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 185.

PROTEA MUNDII.

_Cape Province._

PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEAE.

_Protea_, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 169.

* * * * *

=Protea Mundii=, _Klotz in Otto and Dietr. Garten-Zeit._ 1838, 113; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. i. p. 579.

* * * * *

The species of _Protea_ figured on the accompanying Plate represents a member of the section _Exertae_ of the genus. This section comprises four species which may be readily recognised by the fact that in the mature head the perianth is spirally coiled in the open flowers, leaving the style exserted. _Protea Mundii_ is closely related to another species found in the same localities, viz. _P. lacticolor_, Salisb., and the two were confused by E. Meyer, who named them both _P. penicillata_. As will be seen from the illustration, the stigma is very distinctly capitate at the apex, and as this character is unique in the genus the species can be easily recognised.

The plant is found in the mountains round Worcester, extends into the George, Knysna and Humansdorp Districts, and then passes through Uitenhage and Stutterheim into the Transkei.

The specimens were collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., in the George District in July 1925.

DESCRIPTION:--Branches tomentellous to tomentose above. _Leaves_ 4 to 11 cm. long, 1·2 to 3·2 cm. broad, lanceolate or lanceolate-elliptic, subobtuse, narrowing at the base, distinctly veined, glabrous or the youngest leaves sometimes loosely pilose. _Head_ sessile, 7 to 8 cm. long, about 5 cm. in diam. _Involucral-bracts_ 11-12-seriate; outer ovate, obtuse, silky on the back, green, ciliate; inner oblong or spathulate-oblong, whitish pubescent to tomentose, fringed with white cilia, shorter than the styles; perianth-sheath 4 cm. long, slender and thin above the middle, gradually dilated and 5-nerved below, not keeled, the upper half at length coiled up, loosely hairy; lip 1·5 cm. long, tridentate, glabrous, with a dense tuft of hairs at the apex; lateral teeth 2 mm. long; median tooth 1·5 mm. long; stamens all fertile; filaments 1 mm. long, channelled down the middle; anthers linear, 6 mm. long; apical glands 0·5 mm. long, ovate, subacuminate, subacute, keeled on the inner face; ovary covered with a tuft of long brown hairs; style 5 cm. long, almost straight, keeled on one side, compressed above the ovary, then more or less terete, glabrous; stigma 6 mm. long, furrowed, subcapitate at the apex, abruptly and obliquely passing into the much stouter style. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2918.)

PLATE 185.--Fig. 1, single flower; Fig. 2, receptacle.

F.P.S.A., 1925.

PLATE 186.

STRELITZIA REGINAE.

_Cape Province._

SCITAMINEAE. Tribe MUSEAE.

STRELITZIA, _Ait. in Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 656.

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=Strelitzia Reginae=, _Banks in Ait. Hort. Kew._ ed. 1, i. 285, t. 2; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. iii. p. 316.

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In 1792 this plant was figured in the _Botanical Magazine_, (Plate 119), but had previously been figured by Sir Joseph Banks. _Strelitzia Reginae_, which was introduced into the Royal Gardens at Kew in 1773, excited a considerable amount of interest when it flowered. In the number of the _Botanical Magazine_ quoted above a double Plate was devoted to the illustration of the flowers so as to give “readers an opportunity of seeing a coloured representation of one of the most scarce and magnificent plants introduced into this country.” That the plant is a particularly handsome one there can be no doubt and it has been appropriately named the “Bird-of-paradise flower”; the Afrikaans name is “Gele piesang.” The species is native of the south-eastern and eastern districts of the Cape Province.

The specimen illustrated on the accompanying Plate was grown at the Division of Botany, Pretoria.

The following description is taken mainly from the _Flora Capensis_.