Title: The flowering plants of South Africa; vol. 3
Author: I. B. Pole Evans
Release date: November 6, 2021 [eBook #66680]
Most recently updated: October 18, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
| INDEX TO VOLUME III. |
A MAGAZINE CONTAINING HAND-COLOURED FIGURES WITH DESCRIPTIONS
OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO SOUTH AFRICA.
EDITED BY
I. B. POLE EVANS, C.M.G., M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S.,
Chief, Division of Botany and Plant Pathology, Department of Agriculture, Pretoria;
and Director of the Botanical Survey of the Union of South Africa.
VOL. III.
LONDON:
L. REEVE & CO., Ltd.,
6, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
SOUTH AFRICA:
THE SPECIALITY PRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA, Ltd.
P.O. BOX 3958, JOHANNESBURG; P.O. BOX 388, CAPETOWN.
1923
[All rights reserved.]
TO
SIR FRANK UMHLALI REYNOLDS,
OF
LYNTON HALL, UMDONI PARK, NATAL
WHOSE LOVE FOR GARDENING AND HORTICULTURE IS ONLY SURPASSED BY HIS
PUBLIC SPIRITED GENEROSITY, THIS VOLUME OF THE “FLOWERING PLANTS OF
SOUTH AFRICA” IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED.
Division of Botany, Pretoria,
August, 1923.
Transvaal. Tropical Africa.
Ranunculaceae. Tribe Clematideae.
Clematopsis, Bojer MS. ex Hutchinson in Kew Bulletin, 1920, p. 12.
Clematopsis Stanleyi, Hutchinson in Kew Bulletin, 1920, p. 21.
Clematis Stanleyi, Harv. in Harv. and Sond. Fl. Cap., vol. i. p. 2.
In the Botanical Magazine (t. 7166) 1891, an excellent figure of this species was given with some critical notes by Sir Joseph Hooker on the taxonomic affinities of the species, and recently (Kew Bulletin, 1920) Mr. J. Hutchinson dealt more fully with the group represented by our plant. He has established Bojer’s MS. name Clematopsis, under which he describes 15 species of which only C. Stanleyi occurs within our limits. The separation of Clematopsis from Clematis is based on the aestivation of the sepals and for a full account of these differences the reader is referred to Mr. Hutchinson’s article. The chief interest in the genus is the fact that it forms a connecting link between the tribes Anemoneae and Clematideae, which were hitherto supposed to be sharply demarcated. It is confined to the ancient plateau of Africa and its continuation in Madagascar.
Clematopsis Stanleyi is a fairly common plant in parts of the Transvaal and has been recorded from the Pretoria, Witwatersrand, Waterberg, Middleburg Districts, and it extends into Rhodesia and Angola. In habit it is a small shrub 18 inches to 2 feet high and when in full bloom is a very pleasing object and well worth the attention of horticulturists. When in fruit the beauty of the plant is not entirely lost as the long white plumose styles stand out in sharp contrast to the surrounding vegetation.
The specimen figured here was collected by Miss S. Gower at Krugersdorp in February 1922.
Description:—A small shrub 45-60 cm. high. Branches ribbed, villous. Leaves opposite, 7-14 cm. long, bipinnate; the ultimate leaflets about 2 cm. long, pinnately lobed; lobes linear, acute, villous; petiole concave above, convex beneath, villous. Peduncle axillary and terminal, 3-8 cm. long, densely villous. Sepals 2 cm. long, 1·5 cm. broad, obovate, densely villous without and within. Filaments 8 mm. long, linear, pilose; anthers 4 mm. long. Style 1·2 cm. long, densely plumose. Fruits densely villous terminated by the persistent plumose style.
Plate 81.—Fig. 1, stamens, front and side view; Fig. 2, a single carpel; Fig. 3, fruits with the persistent styles.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
Cape Province.
Proteaceae. Tribe Proteeae.
Mimetes, Salisb.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 171.
Mimetes hottentotica, Phillips et Hutchinson, sp. nov. insignis et affinitate M. saxatili Phill. foliis late ellipticis, capitulis paucis stigmate excavato differt.
Rami tomentosi et sparse villosi. Folia 4·5-7·5 cm. longa, 2·2-3·5 cm. lata, elliptica, apice tridentata, dense pubescentia pilis sericeis. Capitula sessilia, 7·5 cm. longa, 8-12-flora, apice ramorum conferta. Involucri bracteae 3-seriatae, 1·7-2 cm. longae, 3-6 mm. latae, lanceolato-ovatae, lineares, vel lineari-lanceolatae, obtusae vel subacutae, villosae, ciliatae. Segmenta perianthii 3·2 cm. longa, linearia, paullo lata, villosa; limbus 6 mm. longus, obovatus, subacuminatus, apice obtusus, villosus. Antherae 2·5 mm. longae, apice obtusae. Squamae hypogynae 3 mm. longae, lineares, apice subacutae. Ovarium 1 mm. longum, villosum; stylus 6·5 mm. longus, glaber; stigma 4 mm. longum, obovoideum, apice obtusum, excavatum.
South Africa: Caledon Division. Hottentot’s Holland Mountains near Hangklip, T. P. Stokoe in National Herbarium, 1641.
Mr. T. P. Stokoe, to whom we are indebted for so many of the interesting plants figured in earlier plates of this work, has again contributed two exquisite species of Mimetes which are both undescribed. Unfortunately, it was not possible at the time to figure both plants, but we hope to publish a figure and description of the second species in our next volume. The genus, which is represented by nine species, falls into two well-defined groups, (a) those with an ovoid stigma (represented by M. capitulata, figured on Plate 58) and (b) those species with a linear stigma (represented by M. palustris, figured on Plate 36). Hitherto only two species of the first group were known, but these recent acquisitions from Mr. Stokoe increases this number to four.
The species figured in the accompanying plate was found on the Hottentot’s Holland Mountains S.E. of Kogelberg and was growing on the banks of a steep, fairly moist slope. When fresh, it is a most beautiful object, certainly one of the most handsome species of the genus. The styles are bright red, white just below the stigma, and the stigma brownish-black. It is characterised by the regular excavations on the surface of the stigma which appear to be receptacles for the pollen grains.
Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1641).
Description:—Branches minutely tomentose but also sparsely covered with long lax hairs. Leaves 4·5-7·5 cm. long, 2·2-3·5 cm. broad, elliptic, with a blunt 3-toothed callous apex, densely adpressed-pubescent with silky hairs. Heads sessile, 7·5 cm. long including the styles, 8-12-flowered, solitary in the axils of the leaves at the ends of the branches. Involucral-bracts 3-seriate; the outer 1·7 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, lanceolate-ovate, obtuse, villous without, long-ciliate; inner 2 cm. long, 3 mm. broad, linear or linear-lanceolate, sub-acute, villous without, long-ciliate. Receptacle villous. Perianth divided almost to the base; segments 3·2 cm. long, linear-filiform, slightly broadened at the base, villous; limb 6 mm. long, obovate, subacuminate, obtuse, villous. Anthers sessile, 2·5 mm. long, obtuse. Hypogynous scales 3 mm. long, linear subacute. Ovary about 1 mm. long, hairy at base; style 6·5 mm. long, cylindric, glabrous; stigma 4 mm. long, obovoid, obtuse, with several depressions on the sides.
Plate 82.—Fig. 1, a single head; Fig. 2, bracts; Figs. 3, 4, a single flower; Fig. 5, perianth-segment enlarged; Fig. 6, stigma enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
Natal.
Compositae. Tribe Senecionideae.
Senecio, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 446.
Senecio Medley-Woodii, Hutchinson, sp. nov. succulenta caule crasso, foliis carnosis dentatis lanato-pubescentibus, capitulis speciosis flavis distincta.
Rami succulenti, purpurei, juniores lanati, demum glabri. Folia sessilia, 3·5-5 cm. longa, 1·5-3 cm. lata, obovata, breviter apiculata, basi cuneata, superne undulato-dentata, primum lanata, demum plus minusve glabra. Capitula racemoso-corymbosa, 13-14-flora, 19 cm. longa; pedunculi ultimi 3-6 cm. longi, lanati. Involucri bracteae 1·2-1·5 cm. longae, 3-6 mm. latae, lanceolatae ad elliptico-ovatae, obtusae, marginibus membranaceis, extra lanato-tomentosae. Receptaculum planum, 8 mm. latum, foveolatum. Flores radii flavi; limbus 1·5 cm. longus, 5 mm. latus, oblongus, 6-8-nervus, apice minute tridentatus; ovarium glabrum. Flores disci brunneo-flavi; pappus 1 cm. longus; corollae tubus 1·2 cm. longus, glaber. Achaenia glabra.
This is one of the shrubby species of Senecio with succulent stems found in Natal. In cultivation it makes an ornamental shrub having very large yellow-rayed heads. The species was first collected by the late Dr. Medley Wood at Murchison in Natal in 1884 (Wood 3065), and was brought to him from Krantzkloof in August 1915. Dr. Wood had an illustration made for vol. vii of the “Natal Plants,” but did not draw up a description, as specimens were sent to Kew for identification. The present illustration was made from a specimen which flowered in the garden of the Natal Herbarium. This species was the last which Dr. Medley Wood worked at the day before his death.
Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1604).
Description:—Branches succulent, woolly when young, at length becoming glabrous. Leaves sessile, 3·5-5 cm. long, 1·5-3 cm. broad above, obovate, shortly apiculate, cuneate at the base, with the margins more or less undulate and sometimes toothed in the upper half, woolly when young, at length becoming more or less glabrous. Inflorescence terminal, peduncled, 13-14-flowered, racemose-corymbose, 19cm. long; common peduncle 10 cm. long, woolly; ultimate peduncles 3-6cm. long, few-bracteate, woolly. Bracts 1·5-2cm. long, linear, obtuse, woolly. Involucral-scales 1·2-1·5cm. long, 3-6 mm. broad, lanceolate to elliptic-ovate, obtuse, with more or less membranous margins, woolly-tomentose without. Receptacle flat, 8mm. broad, honeycombed. Ray-flowers pale yellow. Corolla-tube 6mm. long, cylindric; limb 1·5cm. long, 5mm. broad, oblong, 6-8-nerved, minutely 3-toothed at the apex. Pappus 9mm. long; setae very minutely barbellate. Ovary 4mm. long, linear in outline, glabrous; style 8mm. long, cylindric, somewhat thickened at the base; lobes 2mm. long, linear obtuse. Disc-flowers brownish-yellow. Pappus 1cm. long, very minutely barbellate. Corolla-tube 1·2cm. long, gradually widening upwards, glabrous; lobes 1·5mm. long, ovate, obtuse. Filaments inserted at the constricted portions of the corolla-tube, 6mm. long, linear, slightly broadened below the anthers; anthers 4mm. long, with a short ovate appendage, blunt at the base. Ovary 4·5mm. long, linear in outline, glabrous; style 1·1cm. long, cylindric; lobes 2mm. long, flat on the inner face, convex on the back, truncate and shortly bristly at the apex.
Plate 83.—Fig. 1, ray-flower; Fig. 2, disc-flower; Fig. 3, upper portion of style with lobes; Figs. 4, 5, involucral bracts; Fig. 6, fruit.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
Cape Province.
Proteaceae. Tribe Proteeae
Protea, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 169.
Protea compacta, R. Br. in Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. x. 76; Fl. Cap. vol. v.
sect. i. p. 570.
We have previously figured two species of Protea belonging to different sections of the genus. On Plate 22 will be found P. abyssinica (§ Lasiocephalae) with a large head not contracted into a scaly peduncle at the base, while on Plate 76 we figured P. recondita (§ Leiocephalae) with a smaller head and a scaly peduncle. Our present plant belongs to quite a separate section (Ligulatae), which is characterised by the inner involucral bracts being produced into a long claw with an oblong or oblanceolate limb. Protea compacta is a common plant in some parts of the Cape Province, especially in the Caledon Division, but is also found in parts of the Cape and Stellenbosch Divisions, and a single specimen, collected by Zeyher, has been recorded from the van Staden’s Mountains. In its natural habitat it is a bush 4-6 ft. high with brilliant pink bracts partly surrounded by the uppermost leaves, and in many localities the flowering bush is one of the features of the landscape. Like many other species of Protea in the Cape Province, this species is visited by a large coleopterous beetle.
Our plant was collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at Hawston in the Caledon Division, where it is found growing on white sandy soil. The species has been established in cultivation at the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch, and is doing remarkably well there. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 2577).
Description:—Branches finely tomentellous, at length glabrous. Leaves 3¼-4½ in. long, ¾-1½ in. broad, strongly imbricate, ovate to ovate-lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, obtuse with a callous point, sub-cordate or rounded or slightly narrowed at the base, coriaceous, prominently veined, glabrous, with the margins shortly villous or at length glabrous. Head sessile, 4 in. long, about 2½ in. in diameter. Involucral-bracts 8-seriate; outer ovate, obtuse, villous-pubescent or more or less glabrescent, with a dense fringe of woolly hairs; inner more or less flesh-colour to carmine with an oblong limb and a linear claw, finely villous-tomentose, tips densely ciliate, exceeding the flowers. Perianth-sheath 2 in. long, dilated, 5-nerved and 3-keeled below, finely tomentose, glabrous at the base; lip over 1 in. long, 3-awned, lateral awns 3-4½ in. long, filiform, flexuous, tawny to purplish-tomentose; median awn 1 in. long, filiform. Fertile stamens 3, sub-sessile; filaments ¾ in. long, flattened; anthers linear, 4½ in. long; apical gland almost 1 in. long, lanceolate-oblong; barren stamen 4½ in. long, linear, eglandular. Ovary 1 in. long, oblong, densely covered with long light-golden hairs; style 2 in. long, finely grooved on the convex side, glabrous; stigma 2½ in. long, linear, obtuse, strongly keeled and bent at the junction with the style.
Plate 84.—Fig. 1, longitudinal section of receptacle; Fig. 2, surface view of portion of receptacle; Fig. 3, an outermost bract; Fig. 4, inner bract; Fig. 5, a single flower; Fig. 6, ovary and base of style; Fig. 7, stigma and upper part of style.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
Transvaal.
Compositae. Tribe Mutisieae.
Gerbera, Gronov.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 497.
Gerbera plantaginea, Harv. in Fl. Cap. vol. ii. p. 522.
In an earlier part, on Plate 64, we figured a Transvaal plant, Gazania pygmaea, and stated it to be one of the first species to flower on burnt veld. The plant illustrated here is usually contemporary with the above, and before any of the other veld plants show signs of growth numerous inflorescences of Gerbera plantaginea may be seen pushing through the hard surface of the soil. The underground rootstock is well adapted to withstand the long, dry winter months, and can store up sufficient moisture to commence growth before the first summer rains begin. The plant is usually found growing in small colonies, and the colour of the ray-florets varies from pure white to yellow and through various shades of pink to red. Like Gazania pygmaea, this species was found by Burke and Zeyher on the Magaliesberg about the year 1841, and Harvey, in the “Flora Capensis,” based his description on their specimen. We are indebted to Mr. D. Fouche for the specimens which were collected near Meintjes Kopje, Pretoria. They are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 2580).
Description:—An acaulescent plant with an underground rhizome with a woolly crown and thick cylindric roots. Leaves 4·5-13cm. long, 0·8-2·2cm. broad, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, subacute, narrowed into a petiole at the base, with the midrib and lateral veins distinct beneath, and with entire or sub-denticulate margins, pilose above and beneath. Peduncle 11-27cm. long, naked, densely tomentose, at length becoming sparsely tomentose. Heads solitary, 3-4cm. in diameter. Involucral-bracts in 3 rows, all tomentose; the outer 7 mm. long, 1·5 mm. broad at the base, tapering to an acute point; the inner 1 cm. long, 2 mm. broad, lanceolate, acuminate, acute. Receptacle slightly convex, honeycombed. Ray-flowers in two rows; the outer with a strap-shaped limb 1 cm. long, 2·5 mm. broad, about 6-nerved, minutely 2-3-toothed at the apex and with the lower lip represented by 4 linear appendages 1·5-2 mm. long, the two outer narrower than the two inner. Pappus 6 mm. long, longer than the tube. Ovary 3 mm. long, oblong, pilose; style 8 mm. long, cylindric; lobes 0·5 mm. long, glandular (lobes sometimes three); inner ray-flowers similar to the outer but limb 4·5 mm. long, 0·75 mm. broad. Disc-flowers hermaphrodite. Corolla-tube 4·5 mm. long, cylindric; lobes 3 mm. long, 0·5 mm. broad, linear, obtuse. Anthers 5 mm. long, linear, obtuse, long-tailed at the base. Pappus 6 mm. long. Ovary 3 mm. long, terete, almost glabrous; style 6 mm. long, cylindric; lobes 0·5 mm. long, ovate, obtuse.
Plate 85.—Fig. 1, longitudinal section through head showing the convex receptacle; Fig. 2, a ray-floret; Fig. 3, a disc-floret; Fig. 4, upper portion of corolla of disc-floret; Fig. 5, apices of lips of disc-floret; Fig. 6, stamens; Fig. 7, upper portion of style of disc-floret showing the two lobes.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
Cape Province.
Liliaceae. Tribe Aloineae.
Aloe, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 776.
Aloe variegata, Linn. Sp. Pl. vol. i. p. 321; Fl. Cap. vol. vi. p. 328.
The Aloe here represented differs from any we have previously illustrated by having the leaves arranged in three ranks which may become spirally twisted. In the “Flora Capensis” this character is used to distinguish a sub-genus “Gonialoe” which contains only the species A. variegata. The species is one of the oldest and most common aloes in cultivation. A coloured illustration appeared in the Botanical Magazine (t. 513) in 1801, and it is recorded that a Mr. Fairchild had the species growing in England in 1720. For some reason the plant is not well represented in European herbaria, as even in 1897, when the genus was published in the “Flora Capensis,” the precise localities in which the species occurs in South Africa remained doubtful. The traveller and botanist, Carl Thunberg, collected the plant about 1772, and according to Mr. N. E. Brown it is represented in the Thunberg herbarium by “two leaves with the variegation on them well preserved, and a single flower.”
The species is easy of cultivation and is propagated by means of suckers which send up small plants. From the plant in cultivation at Pretoria, four offshoots have developed in one season.
We are enabled to figure this plant through the courtesy of Mrs. E. Rood, of Van Rhynsdorp, who forwarded us the living plant, which flowered at Pretoria in July 1922. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 2575).
Description:—An acaulescent plant. Leaves in three rows sometimes slightly spirally twisted, with irregular greenish-white bands on a dark green background; the lower leaves 8-10 cm. long, about 3·5 cm. broad, ovate, mucronate, almost flat above, keeled beneath, rough with small tubercles on the keel and margins; the inner leaves 14-23 cm. long, ovate-lanceolate, mucronate, concave on the inner face, keeled beneath, rough with small tubercles on the keel and margins. Inflorescence from the axil of one of the lower leaves; peduncle 40 cm. long, 9 mm. in diameter, terete, with about 8 barren bracts below the flowers which occupy the uppermost 11 cm. of the peduncle. Flowers at first erect, then horizontal, then pendulous when mature. Bracts 1·2 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, long-acuminate, acute, longer than the pedicels, white, with a greenish-brown keel. Pedicels 5 mm. long, terete, glabrous. Perianth-tube 4 cm. long, 9 mm. in diameter, tubular, slightly ventricose and oblique at the base; lobes 9 mm. long, 5 mm. broad, obovate. Stamens attached to the base of the perianth; filaments 4·5 cm. long, terete; anthers 2·5 mm. long, oblong. Ovary 6 mm. long, 3 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid; style 4 cm. long, terete; stigma minutely 3-lobed.
Plate 86.—Fig. 1, bract; Fig. 2, bud; Fig. 3, mature flower; Fig. 4, upper part of perianth laid open; Fig. 5, stamen; Fig. 6, pistil; Fig. 7, cross-section of leaf. N.B.—In the coloured drawing the leaves are half natural size, but the inflorescence is natural size.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
Pedallaceae. Tribe Sesameae.
Ceratotheca, Endl.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 1059.
Ceratotheca triloba, E. Mey. ex Bernh. in Linnaea, vol. xvi. 29;
Fl. Cap. vol. iv. sect. ii. p. 462.
The genus Ceratotheca, of which there are five species known, is confined to Africa, but the species figured in the accompanying plate is the only one recorded in South Africa. The genus is closely related to Sesamum, only differing by the capsule having two divergent horns or spines at the apex instead of being acute or beaked as in the latter genus. The species was first described in 1842 under the name Sporledera triloba, but, as pointed out in the Botanical Magazine under Tab. 6974, there is no justification for establishing a genus to include this species separate from Ceratotheca. The oldest record from South Africa appears to be specimens collected by Drège between the Umtata and St. John’s River, but since then it has been found by numerous collectors. When fresh, the leaves have a very objectionable odour. The plant is very common during January on the hills at Wonderboom, near Pretoria. Our specimen was collected by Dr. R. Reitz. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 1605).
Description:—An herbaceous plant with erect stems, sometimes 6 ft. high, simple or branched. Stems obtusely 4-angled, glandular-pilose. Leaves opposite, sometimes alternate, petiolate; petioles 0·5-5 cm. long, grooved above, convex beneath, glandular-pilose; lamina 2-6·5 cm. long, ovate, more or less 3-lobed with the lobes crenate (the uppermost leaves not lobed), cordate at the base, palmately veined, with the veins prominent beneath, depressed above, glandular-pubescent. Flowers solitary, axillary, with often two abortive flowers in the same leaf-axil. Pedicels 5 mm. long, terete, glandular-pilose. Calyx divided almost to the base; the lobes erect, 0·8-1 cm. long, lanceolate, acuminate, sub-obtuse, glandular-pilose; the anterior lobe the smallest. Corolla-tube 3·5 cm. long, ventricose at the base, then slightly constricted and widening into a broad campanulate portion 1·4 cm. diameter, glandular-pilose; lobes 0·8 cm. long, about 1 cm. broad, transversely oblong, rounded above; the posterior lobe longer. Stamens of two different lengths, inserted above the ventricose portion of the corolla-tube; filaments 0·9-1·3 cm. long, glabrous; anthers 5 mm. long, linear. Ovary 6 mm. long, oblong in outline, densely villous, with 2 divergent horns at the apex; style 1·8 cm. long, terete, glabrous; stigmas recurved, papillose. Fruit 2 cm. long, oblong, with 2 divergent horns, glandular-pilose.
Plate 87.—Fig. 1, portion of flowering branch; Fig. 2, corolla laid open; Fig. 3, pistil; Fig. 4, cross-section of ovary; Fig. 5, stigmas; Fig. 6, stamens and anther; Fig. 7, fruits; Fig. 8, fruit dehisced; Fig. 9, leaf; Figs. 10, 11, abortive flowers.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
Transvaal. Zululand.
Compositae. Tribe Mutisieae.
Dicoma, Cass.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 492.
Dicoma Zeyheri, Cass. in Linn. vol. xxiii. p. 71; Fl. Cap. vol. iii. p. 518.
The genus Dicoma comprises a small group of half-woody shrubs with acuminate usually pungent involucral-bracts. About twenty-five species are known, most of which are found in Tropical and South Africa, one extending into Western India. There is also a peculiar species, D. cana, in the island of Socotra. The tribe Mutisieae, to which Dicoma belongs, is but sparingly represented in Africa and has its head-quarters in South America.
Our present plant is common in parts of the Transvaal Highveld, and is found in flower from January to March. It has also been collected at Barberton by Mr. E. E. Galpin. Like so many of the shrubby plants occurring in the grass-veld, it has deep underground roots from which the stems arise, but, unlike the majority of them, is one of the last to flower.
The specimen from which this plate was prepared was collected by Miss S. Gower near the Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 2581).
Description:—A somewhat woody undershrub about 30 cm. high with deep underground roots. Stems striate, cobwebby. Leaves 5·5-7 cm. long, 1-1·7 cm. broad, lanceolate, acute, or obtuse, sometimes subacuminate, slightly broadened and half-clasping at the base, usually entire, more rarely minutely and remotely toothed, glabrous above, cobwebby beneath. Capitulum shortly peduncled, about 5 cm. in diameter when expanded. Involucral-bracts in about 8 rows, the outermost strongly reflexed, the rest erect spreading, 1·5-2·5 cm. long, 4-9 mm. broad, ovate, acuminate, pungent, with membranous margins (except the outermost); the innermost bracts erect, closely enveloping the flowers, almost wholly membranous. Involucre 1·5 cm. in diameter, slightly convex, deeply honeycombed. Flowers all hermaphrodite. Corolla-tube 6 mm. long, cylindric for 5 mm. then suddenly campanulate, glabrous; lobes 4·5 mm. long, linear, gradually tapering upwards, obtuse, recurved in open flowers. Stamens inserted at the widened portion of the corolla-tube; filaments 1·5 mm. long, linear; anthers 7·5 mm. long, linear, lanceolate, acute at the apex, long-tailed at the base; tails hairy with ascending hairs. Ovary densely villous; style 1·5 cm. long, cylindric, glabrous; lobes 0·5 mm. long, ovate, obtuse, convex and hairy on outer side. Pappus 9 mm. long, dense and completely hiding the corolla-tube; setae long, plumose.
Plate 88.—Fig. 1, longitudinal section of head; Fig. 2, surface view of part of receptacle; Fig. 3, involucral-bract; Fig. 4, an inner involucral-bract; Fig. 5, disc-floret before style appears; Fig. 6, disc-floret with style through the stamens; Fig. 7, disc-floret with pappus removed; Fig. 8, stamen; Fig. 9, apex of style; Fig. 10, a single pappus bristle; Fig. 11, portion of a leaf showing the minute teeth on the margin.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
Natal.
Scrophulariaceae. Tribe Gerardieae.
Hyobanche, Thunb.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 968.
Hyobanche Fulleri, Phillips, sp. nov. Stipes succulentus. Folia 1·4 cm. longa, superne 6 mm. lata, spathulata, apice obtusa, externe glanduloso-villosa. Inflorescentia ad 13 cm. longa, 3 cm. lata. Bracteae 2·5 cm. longae, superne 6 mm. latae, spathulatae, externe glanduloso-pilosae, 3-nervosae; bracteolae 2, 2·5 cm. longae, 2 mm. latae, lineares, apice subacutae. Pedicellus 3 mm. longus, 3 mm. latus, carnosus. Calyx inaequalis; segmentum infimum 3 mm. longum, lineare; cetera 2·5 cm. longa, pilosa. Corolla leviter curvata, 3·5 cm. longa, 7 mm. lata, superne viscido-pilosa. Filimenta 2·4 cm. longa. Ovarium 4 mm. longum, globosum, glabrum; stylus 2·7 cm. longus, superne curvatus; stigma clavatum.
This new Hyobanche is the only recorded species for Natal. Bews (“Flora of Natal and Zululand”) records H. sanguinea from Umzumbi, but we suspect it is the species here described. It was first collected by the late Dr. J. Medley Wood (Herb. Natal 11002) at Karridene Beach, and recently Mr. Claude Fuller of Pretoria forwarded living specimens from the same locality. Mr. Fuller was unable to determine the host on which the parasite grew. It differs from H. sanguinea, as from all the other known South African species, in having the lowest calyx segment very much shorter than the others. The genus Hyobanche is very closely related to Harveya, a species (Harveya squamosa) of which is figured on Plate 67. Species of the two genera can easily be distinguished by an examination of the stamens. In Hyobanche the anthers are one-celled, while in Harveya the anthers are two-celled but only one cell contains pollen. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1643).
Description:—A parasitic herb. Stem fleshy. Leaves adpressed, 1·4 cm. long, 6 mm. broad above, spathulate, obtuse, glandular-villous without. Inflorescence up to 13 cm. long, 3 cm. in diameter; axis fleshy. Bracts 2·5 cm. long, 0·6 cm. broad above, spathulate, densely glandular-pilose without, 3-nerved above; bracteoles 2, 2·5 cm. long, 2 mm. broad, linear, subacute, narrowing at the base. Pedicels 3 mm. long, 3 mm. in diameter, fleshy. Calyx unequal; the anterior segment 3 mm. long, linear; the lateral and posterior segments 2·5 cm. long, pilose without. Corolla slightly curved, 3·5 cm. long, 7 mm. in diameter, viscously pilose without in the upper half; mouth a longitudinal slit, about 1 cm. long, more or less opening out upwards by a recurving of the margins which indicates the presence of a hooded faintly two-lobed upper lip and a very obscure lower lip split to the base. Filaments 2·4 cm. long, attached near base of corolla-tube. Ovary 4 mm. long, 4 mm. in diameter, globose, glabrous; style 2·7 cm. long, terete, gradually thickening and sharply curved above, glabrous; stigma clavate.
Plate 89.—Fig. 1, young inflorescence; Fig. 2, longitudinal section of inflorescence; Fig. 3, underground stem with young inflorescence; Fig. 4, flower, with bract and two bracteoles; Fig. 5, bract, front and side view; Fig. 6, calyx; Fig. 7, bracteole; Fig. 8, corolla; Fig. 9, gynæcium; Fig. 10, leaf; Fig. 11, upper portion of corolla, side view; Fig. 12, upper portion of corolla, front view.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
Cape Province.
Iridaceae. Tribe Sisyrinchieae.
Romulea, Maratti; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 695.
Romulea Austinii, Phillips, sp. nov.; affinis R. hirsutae, Eck., sed floribus aurantiacis, bractea interior marginibus latis membranaceis differt.
Cormi 1·5 cm. longi, 1·2 cm. diametro, tunicis brunneis obtecti. Folia 3 vel 4, lineari-filiformia, acuta, 4-10 cm. longa, 0·75 mm. lata, profunde sulcata, basi vaginata. Flores 2-3-nati; pedicelli 1·2 cm. longi, subteretes, glabri, demum spiraliter curvati. Valva exterior elliptico-oblonga, herbacea, apice dentata, 9 mm. longa, 4 mm. lata, 9-nervia, marginibus angustis membranaceis, interior subaequalis, apice bifida, 5-6-nervia, marginibus latissime membranaceis. Perianthii tubus campanulatus, 5-6 mm. longus, lobis 1·5 cm. longis 0·7 cm. latis obovatis obtusis interioribus aurantiacis exterioribus purpureo notatis. Filamenta 9 mm. longa, basi explanata et pilosa, medio dorso pilosa; antherae 4 mm. longae, 2 mm. latae, ellipsoideae, primum leviter connatae. Ovarium subglobosum; stylus 1 cm. longus, teres, glaber, ramis 3·5 mm. longis bifidis.
South Africa: Matjesfontein, A. J. Austin.
We are indebted to Mr. A. J. Austin for this charming little species of Romulea, which is apparently undescribed. It was gathered at Matjesfontein. The same species was collected a few years ago by Schlechter (No. 8847) at Matjes River at an altitude of 2500 feet, and distributed by him as Romulea hirsuta, Eckl., var. aurantiaca. Although resembling R. hirsuta in general appearance, it is easily distinguished by the colour of the flowers and especially by the very broadly membranous margins of the inner spathe valve. The flowers close up at night.
Our knowledge of the genus Romulea in South Africa is still very meagre, and much field-work is necessary in order to understand the range and variability of the species.
Description:—Corms 1·5 cm. long, 1·2 cm. in diameter with brown tunics. Leaves 3-4 to a corm, 4-10 cm. long, 0·75 mm. broad, with five deep and narrow grooves, acute, somewhat sheathing at the base and forming a distinct neck, minutely ciliate. Flowers 2-3 to a spathe. Pedicels 1·2 cm. long, subterete, glabrous, becoming spirally coiled in old flowers. Outer spathe valve 9 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, elliptic-oblong, toothed at the apex, 9-nerved, with membranous margins; inner spathe valve about same size as outer, deeply bifid at the apex, 5-6-nerved with very broad membranous margins. Perianth-tube 5-6 mm. long, campanulate; lobes 1·5 cm. long, 0·7 cm. broad, obovate, obtuse, reflexed in the open flower, yellow in colour with a spade-like purple mark on the three outer and smaller purple marks on the three inner. Filaments 9 mm. long, convex on the back, grooved on the front face, broadened and pilose at the base, pilose on back about the middle; anthers 4 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, elliptic, in flowers which have just opened the anthers are somewhat joined and the stigmas appear between the anthers. Ovary subglobose; style 1 cm. long, terete, glabrous; lobes 3·5 mm. long, each subdivided into 2 lobes 2 mm. long.