LOGANIACEAE.
FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 127.
J. Fleischmann del.
Nuxia Autunesii Gilg
A Flowering branch. B Flower (from which the anthers have fallen off excepting one). C Flower cut lengthwise. D Ovary cut lengthwise.
GENTIANACEAE.
FLOW PL. AFR.
Pl. 128.
J. Fleischmann. del.
Chironia transvaalensis Gilg
A Flowering branch. B Flower cut lengthwise. C Stamen. D Cross-section of ovary. E Fruit. F Seed.
Corolla salver-, bell-, or wheel-shaped, usually white. Ovules several
or many in each ovary-cell. Fruit a berry. Leaves opposite, 3-5-nerved—Species
110. Tropical and South Africa. Some species
yield timber, poisons, and medicaments; some have poisonous, others
edible fruits and seeds, which are also used for preparing alcohol. (Including
Brehmia Harv. and Ignatia L. f.) [Tribe STRYCHNEAE.] Strychnos L.
FAMILY 199. GENTIANACEAE
Herbs or undershrubs, rarely shrubs. Leaves undivided, sometimes reduced to scales; stipules absent or replaced by a transverse ridge or line connecting the leaf-stalks. Flowers regular, rarely (Canscora) somewhat irregular. Petals united below. Stamens as many as the petals, and alternating with them, 3-8, sometimes one only fertile. Ovary superior, 1-celled with 2 or 4 parietal placentas, or 2-celled with axile placentas. Ovules numerous. Style simple with 1-2 stigmas rarely (Erythraea) 2-cleft. Fruit a capsule, rarely a nut or (Chironia) a berry. Seeds minute, albuminous.—Genera 23, species 250. (Plate 128.)
1. Corolla with induplicate-valvate aestivation, 5-partite, white or yellow.
Pollen-grains compressed from one side. Ovary 1-celled, with little
intruding placentas. Stigma 2-partite. Leaves alternate or all radical,
broad-cordate. [Subfamily MENYANTHOIDEAE.] 2
Corolla with contorted or imbricate aestivation. Pollen-grains not compressed
from one side. Leaves opposite or whorled or nearly so. [Subfamily
GENTIANOIDEAE.] 3
2. Stem erect. Leaves slightly cordate at the base, ovate, radical. Flowers
panicled. Fruit opening by 4 valves at the top.—Species 1. South
Africa (Cape Colony). Used medicinally. Villarsia Vent.
Stem floating or creeping. Leaves deeply cordate at the base. Flowers
fascicled. Fruit bursting irregularly or remaining closed.—Species
9. Tropical and South Africa. Some have edible roots or serve as
ornamental or medicinal plants. Limnanthemum Gmel.
3. Stem and leaves reddish. Leaves reduced to scales. Flowers solitary,
terminal. Corolla salver-shaped, 5-lobed, yellow or blue. Anthers
included. Pollen-grains with a single pore. Ovary 1-celled. Stigma
entire. Ovules straight. Seeds with a very scanty albumen.—Species
2. West Africa. (Under Voyria Aubl.) [Tribe LEIPHAIMEAE.] Leiphaimos Cham. & Schlechtd.
Stem and leaves green. Leaves well developed, rarely very small, but
then flowers in cymes. Pollen-grains with 3 pores. Ovules inverted.
Seeds with copious albumen. 4
4. Pollen-grains connected in groups of four, tubercled on the surface. Calyx
4-toothed, with a winged tube. Corolla funnel-shaped, 4-lobed. Filaments
inserted on the upper part of the corolla-tube, winged at the base.
Ovary 1-celled. Stigma 2-partite.—Species 1. West Africa. Used
medicinally. [Tribe HELIEAE.] Schultesia Mart.
Pollen-grains separate. [Tribe GENTIANEAE.] 5
5. Ovary completely 2-celled. Pollen-grains very small. 6
Ovary 1-celled, sometimes incompletely 2-celled. Pollen-grains rather
large. 9
6. Anthers opening by terminal pores which are sometimes produced into
slits, without glands, exserted. Filaments inserted at the throat of the
corolla or somewhat lower. Corolla violet, pink, or white, with a short
and wide tube. Calyx winged.—Species 12. Tropics. Used as ornamental
plants. Exacum L.
Anthers opening by longitudinal slits, nearly always with 1-4 small
glands at the base or the apex. Corolla yellow, with a more or less
elongated tube. 7
7. Anthers projecting beyond the corolla-tube. Filaments inserted in the
sinuses between the corolla-lobes.—Species 80. South Africa and
tropics. Some are used medicinally. Sebaea R. Br.
Anthers concealed within the corolla-tube. Filaments inserted in the corolla-tube.
Flowers 5-merous. 8
8. Filaments inserted in the lower part of the corolla-tube. Calyx not winged.
Small plants with small flowers.—Species 1. South Africa (Cape
Colony). (Under Sebaea R. Br.) Lagenias E. Mey.
Filaments inserted in the middle or the upper part of the corolla-tube,
Calyx winged. Flowers rather large. Species 30. Tropical and
South Africa. (Parasia Rafin., including Exochaenium Griseb., under
Sebaea R. Br.) Belmontia E. Mey.
9. Ovary divided into incomplete cells by the intrusion of the placentas.
Stigma more or less distinctly 2-lobed. Stamens 5. 10
Ovary completely one-celled with little intruding placentas. 12
10. Anthers more or less twisted after flowering. Pollen-grains smooth.—Species
6. North Africa and northern Central Africa. Used as medicinal
or ornamental plants. Erythraea L. C. Rich.
Anthers erect or bent back after flowering. Pollen-grains tubercled or
netted. Calyx with small scales on the inside. 11
11. Corolla yellow; tube short, glabrous within. Anthers exserted. Pollen-grains
tubercled. Leaves stem-clasping. Flowers in many-flowered
panicles with large bracts.—Species 1. Canary Islands. Ixanthus Griseb.
Corolla white or red; tube long, with 5 small scales on the inside. Anthers
included. Pollen-grains netted. Flowers solitary or in few-flowered
cymes.—Species 9. Madagascar. Some are poisonous or are used in
medicine. Tachiadenus Griseb.
12 Corolla with 1-2 glandular nectaries at the base of each segment; tube
very short. Stamens 4-5. Pollen-grains tubercled.—Species 35.
Tropical and South Africa. Some are used medicinally. Sweertia L.
Corolla without nectaries, but sometimes with scales at the insertion of the
stamens. Pollen-grains smooth or dotted. 13
13. Corolla with distinctly unequal segments and imbricate, more rarely
contorted aestivation, white or red. Stamens 4, inserted at different
heights on the corolla-tube, usually one only perfect. Pollen-grains
smooth. Stigma 2-lobed.—Species 3. Tropics. Used medicinally. Canscora Lam.
Corolla with equal or subequal segments and contorted aestivation. 14
14. Fertile stamen 1, staminodes 3; all inserted in the sinuses between the
corolla-lobes. Pollen-grains smooth. Corolla yellow, with a short
tube. Stigma 2-lobed. Stem 4-angled or winged. Leaves very small,
decurrent along the stem. Flowers in dense cymes.—Species 1.
Southern West Africa (Angola). (Under Canscora Lam.) Schinziella Gilg
Fertile stamens 3-8, rarely more. 15
15. Flowers 6-8-merous, rarely polymerous. Corolla yellow, with a short
tube. Pollen-grains smooth. Stigma 2-parted with deeply notched
branches. Flowers in lax cymes.—Species 2. North-west Africa.
Used as ornamental or medicinal plants. Chlora L.
Flowers 3-5-merous. Stigma entire or 2-parted with entire branches. 16
16. Flowers 3-merous. Sepals very unequal. Corolla with a long tube,
usually blue. Stamens inserted at the throat; filaments with a swelling
at the base. Stigma 2-parted. Flowers crowded in heads.—Species 3.
Southern Central Africa. Pycnosphaera Gilg
Flowers 4-5-merous. Sepals not very unequal. 17
17. Flowers 4-merous. Anthers ovate, rarely oblong. Pollen-grains smooth.
Herbs. 18
Flowers 5-merous. Anthers oblong or linear. 21
18. Stamens inserted below the middle of the corolla-tube. Calyx 8-12-ribbed.
Corolla with a narrow tube. Stigma 2-lobed. Dwarf herbs.
Flowers solitary or paired in the leaf-axils, sometimes forming racemes
or corymbs.—Species 8. Central Africa. Neurotheca Salisb.
Stamens inserted at the throat of the corolla. Anthers ovate. Flowers
small. 19
19. Flowers in dense fascicles. Calyx divided to the middle or below the
middle. Corolla with 4 scales at the throat.—Species 10. Central
and South Africa. Some are used medicinally. Faroa Welw.
Flowers in lax cymes. Corolla without scales at the throat. Dwarf
herbs. 20
20. Stem much branched. Calyx deeply divided. Corolla with a long tube
and broad lobes. Stigma 2-parted.—Species 1. North-west Africa
(Algeria). Cicendia Adans.
Stem not or scantily branched. Calyx shortly toothed. Corolla with a
rather long tube and narrow segments. Stigma entire or notched.—Species
1. North-west Africa. Microcala Link & Hoffmsg.
21. Filaments with a double scale at the base, inserted at the middle of the
corolla-tube. Anthers included, not twisted. Pollen-grains smooth.
Corolla-tube long. Stigma entire. Flowers small, in axillary fascicles.
Herbs.—Species 3. Tropical and South-east Africa. Used medicinally.
(Hippion Spreng.) Enicostemma Blume
Filaments without a scale at the base. Anthers usually exserted and
twisted after flowering. Flowers in usually lax cymes or solitary. 22
22. Stigma 2-lobed or 2-parted. Pollen-grains medium-sized, smooth. Herbs.
(See 10.) Erythraea L. C. Rich.
Stigma entire. Pollen-grains very large, dotted. Corolla-tube rather
short. 23
23. Calyx with blunt, not keeled segments. Glands between calyx and corolla
present. Corolla red. Stamens inserted at the throat of the corolla.
Hairy shrubs. Flowers large, in terminal cymes.—Species 1. South
Africa (Cape Colony). Used as an ornamental plant. Orphium E. Mey.
Calyx with pointed, usually keeled segments. Glands between calyx and
corolla absent.—Species 40. South Africa, southern Central Africa,
and Malagasy Islands. Some species serve as ornamental plants. (Including
Plocandra E. Mey.) (Plate 128.) Chironia L.
FAMILY 200. APOCYNACEAE
Usually woody plants. Juice milky. Leaves entire, usually penninerved with closely arranged, parallel primary side-nerves, generally opposite. Flowers with bracteoles, usually panicled, regular or nearly so, 5-, very rarely 4-merous, hermaphrodite. Calyx imbricate in bud, usually deeply divided. Petals united below, with contorted aestivation. Stamens as many as the petals, inserted in the tube or at the throat of the corolla. Filaments free, short. Anthers opening inwards by two longitudinal slits, sometimes adhering to the stigma. Pollen granular. Ovary superior, more rarely half-inferior, 1-2-celled, or 2, rarely (Pleiocarpa) 3-5 separate ovaries. Ovules 2 or more in each cell, rarely solitary, pendulous, inverted. Style simple or divided at the base, thickened at the apex, bearing the stigmas on the under-surface of the thickened part (stigmatic or stylar head), and sometimes two-lobed above it. Seeds usually albuminous and provided with a wing or a tuft of hairs.—Genera 61, species 450. (Plate 129.)
1. Stamens closely connected with the stigmatic head. Anthers prolonged
at the base into empty tails. Corolla-lobes usually overlapping to the
right. Fruit dry, dehiscent. Seeds usually with a tuft of hairs. [Subfamily
ECHITIDOIDEAE.] 2
Stamens free or loosely cohering with the stigmatic head. Anthers without
tails, full of pollen to the base, more rarely prolonged into tails, but then
fruit fleshy and most frequently indehiscent. Corolla-lobes usually overlapping
to the left. Seeds usually without a tuft of hairs. [Subfamily
PLUMIEROIDEAE.] 22
2. Anthers projecting beyond the mouth of the corolla-tube. [Tribe PARSONSIEAE.] 3
Anthers, entirely or for the greatest part, concealed within the corolla-tube.
[Tribe ECHITIDEAE.] 7
3. Calyx without glands; segments blunt. Corolla with a very short tube
without scales; segments overlapping to the right. Filaments twisted
around the style. Disc cupular, irregularly crenate. Twining shrubs.—Species
1. West Africa (Congo). Dewevrella De Wild.
Calyx with glands on the inside. Disc 5-lobed or wanting. 4
4. Disc 5-lobed. Calyx with 5-10 glands. Corolla white, with 5-10
confluent scales at the throat; segments overlapping to the right.
Seeds glabrous. Trees or erect shrubs, glabrous.—Species 1. Northern
West Africa. Malouetia A. DC.
Disc absent. Seeds hairy. 5
5. Calyx with pointed segments and 10—20 glands. Corolla glabrous at the
throat; segments unequal-sided, overlapping to the right. Seeds with
a terminal and a smaller basal tuft of hairs. Twining shrubs.—Species
3. West Africa. Isonema R. Br.
Calyx with blunt segments and 5-10 glands. Corolla nearly always with
scales at the throat; segments overlapping to the left. Erect shrubs
or trees. 6
6. Flowers small. Seeds covered all over with long hairs densest at the
base.—Species 5. West Africa. (Under Wrightia R. Br.) Pleioceras Baill.
Flowers rather large. Seeds provided at the base with a deciduous tuft
of hairs.—Species 3. South-east Africa and Madagascar. Wrightia R. Br.
7. Leaves alternate. Stem succulent. Flowers subsessile. Calyx without
glands, with subulate or lanceolate segments. Corolla usually funnel-shaped;
segments overlapping to the right. Ovary superior. 8
Leaves opposite or whorled. Stem woody. 9
8. Leaves with 2 or more spines at their base or in their axils. Disc 5-lobed or
replaced by 2-5 glands. Seeds with a tuft of hairs at the apex.—Species
15. Madagascar, South Africa, and Angola. Pachypodium Lindl.
Leaves and stem without spines. Corolla red. Disc none. Seeds with
a tuft of hairs at either end. Flowers large, in few-flowered cymes.—Species
13. Central and South Africa. Some species yield an arrow-poison.
(Idaneum O. Ktze.) Adenium Roem. & Schult.
9. Corolla with separate or confluent scales at the throat. 10
Corolla naked at the throat, but sometimes with scales or swellings lower
down in the tube. 13
10. Scales at the throat of the corolla united into a tubular, 15-crenate corona.
Corolla salver-shaped, the segments overlapping to the left. Calyx without
glands. Ovary superior. Seeds with a basal tuft of hairs. Erect
shrubs. Flowers small.—Species 1. East Africa. Stephanostema K. Schum.
Scales at the throat of the corolla free or slightly united at the base. Corolla-segments
nearly always overlapping to the right. Ovary almost superior
or half-inferior. 11
11. Corolla salver-shaped with 5 entire scales at the throat. Calyx without
glands, rarely with 5 small glands within. Filaments inserted on the
lower part of the corolla-tube. Disc cup-shaped, 5-lobed or 5-parted.
Twining shrubs. Leaves opposite, without axillary glands. Flowers
small.—Species 12. Tropical and South-east Africa. Oncinotis Benth.
Corolla funnel-shaped, with 5 divided scales at the throat. Calyx with
usually numerous glands within. Disc none. 12
12. Corolla with laciniate scales at the throat, and with broad, not tailed segments,
white or red. Anthers with a tailed connective. Mericarps at
first cohering, subsequently divergent. Seeds with an apical tuft of
hairs. Erect shrubs or low trees. Leaves whorled, narrow, densely
veined. Flowers large.—Species 1 (N. Oleander L.). North Africa.
A poisonous plant yielding wood and medicaments and used as an
ornamental plant. Nerium L.
Corolla with bipartite scales at the throat, and with usually tailed segments.
Mericarps divaricate, ultimately spreading horizontally. Seeds with a
basal tuft of hairs and a long apical awn. Leaves usually opposite,
with axillary glands.—Species 35. Tropical and South Africa. Some
species yield vegetable silk, poisons, and medicaments, or serve as ornamental
plants. (Including Roupellia Baill. and Zygonerion Baill.) Strophanthus P. DC.
13. Corolla bell-, pitcher-, or funnel-shaped, usually small and with scales
in the tube. Calyx-segments with 3-5 glands or without glands at the
base. Twining shrubs. 14
Corolla salver-shaped and more or less constricted at the mouth, usually
large and without scales in the tube. 18
14. Calyx and corolla very large; corolla white, with a glabrous tube, the
segments short and overlapping to the right. Filaments thickened
above. Anthers acuminate. Disc cupular, lobed. Stigmatic head
conical. Leaves with distant nerves and axillary glands. Flowers in
terminal cymes.—Species 1. Naturalized in Madagascar. Beaumontia Wall.
Calyx and corolla small or medium-sized; in the latter case corolla-segments
long. Leaves with distant nerves but without glands, or with closely
set nerves and with axillary glands. 15
15. Corolla-segments overlapping to the left; tube very short, with 10 longitudinal
ridges. Anthers very shortly tailed. Disc none. Ovules 4 in
each carpel. Leaves closely nerved, with small, axillary glands.—Species
2. Equatorial West Africa. Pycnobotrya Benth.
Corolla-segments overlapping to the right. Disc cupular. Ovules numerous
in each carpel. Leaves remotely nerved, without axillary glands. 16
16. Anthers with blunt, reflexed tails at the base and a small, feathery mucro
at the apex. Corolla white or yellow; tube with 5 longitudinal ridges
inside, without scales or swellings. Stigmatic head spindle-shaped, with
2 narrow lobes. Seeds with an apical tuft of hairs.—Species 5. West
Africa and equatorial Lake-region. One species yields rubber. Motandra A. DC.
Anthers with pointed, almost straight tails at the base and without an
apical mucro. Corolla-tube usually with scales or swellings above the
insertion of the stamens. 17
17. Flowers in dense axillary cymes, inconspicuous. Corolla-lobes as long as or
shorter than the tube, broad. Stigmatic head conical, crowned by a
2-cleft point.—Species 5. Central Africa. Zygodia Benth.
Flowers in terminal and axillary panicles or corymbs, more rarely in few-flowered
cymes. Corolla-lobes as long as or longer than the tube, usually
narrow. Stigmatic head campanulate. Seeds with an apical tuft of
hairs.—Species 20. West Africa and Madagascar. One species yields
rubber. (Including Codonura K. Schum., Guerkea K. Schum., and
Perinerion Baill.) Baissea A. DC.
18. Calyx with 5 glands inside the base. Disc none. Twining shrubs. Stipules
usually present. 19
Calyx with numerous glands inside the base. Erect shrubs or trees.
Stipules absent. 20
19. Ovary 1, entire, more or less completely 2-celled—Species 1. West
Africa. (Under Alafia Thouars). Holalafia Stapf
Ovaries 2, free.—Species 15. Tropics. (Including Ectinocladus Benth.) Alafia Thouars
20. Corolla-lobes overlapping to the left. Calyx with unequal segments.
Disc absent. Ovary 1, two-celled.—Species 1. Madagascar. Ochronerium Baill.
Corolla-lobes overlapping to the right. Disc present. Ovaries 2, free. 21
21. Flowers in many-flowered, axillary cymes. Corolla fleshy, white or
yellowish; segments not folded in the bud. Stigmatic head ovoid.
Mericarps oblong or spindle-shaped. Seeds with a feathery, basal awn.—Species
3. Central Africa. One of them (F. elastica Stapf, Ireh-tree)
yields rubber (Lagos-rubber). (Under Kickxia Blume) Funtumia Stapf
Flowers solitary or in few-flowered fascicles. Corolla not fleshy, usually
red; segments folded lengthwise in the bud. Stigmatic head oblong.
Mericarps linear. Seeds with an apical tuft of hairs.—Species 30.
Madagascar and East Africa. Some of the species yield timber and
rubber. Mascarenhasia A. DC.
22. (1.) Carpels united throughout their whole length. [Tribe ARDUINEAE.] 23
Carpels only partly united; ovaries wholly free or in their upper part only,
styles usually free at the base. [Tribe PLUMIEREAE.] 33
23. Ovary 1-celled, sometimes incompletely 2-celled. [Subtribe LANDOLPHIINAE.] 24
Ovary completely 2-celled. [Subtribe MELODININAE.] 29
24. Corolla funnel-shaped, large, yellow; tube cylindric below, much widened
above. Disc ring-shaped. Calyx without glands. Stamens inserted
somewhat below the mouth of the corolla-tube. Fruit a woody, spinous,
2-valved capsule. Seeds winged, with fleshy albumen. Erect shrubs.—Species
1. Naturalized in the tropics. An ornamental and medicinal
plant. Allamanda L.
Corolla salver-shaped; tube more or less cylindric. Disc none. Fruit
a berry. 25
25. Anthers tailed at the base. Stamens inserted in the middle of the corolla-tube.
Calyx small, with 5 small glands within. Ovary incompletely
2-celled. Style short. Seeds with fleshy, ruminate albumen. Erect
shrubs or trees.—Species 5. West Africa. Used medicinally. (Iboga
Schum.) Tabernanthe Baill.
Anthers not tailed. Calyx small and without glands inside, or large and
with numerous glands within. Seeds with horny albumen. Twining
shrubs, more rarely erect shrubs or undershrubs. 26
26. Stamens inserted near the mouth of the corolla-tube. Style long, usually
hairy. Calyx without glands.—Species 35. Central Africa. Some
species yield rubber and edible fruits. (Including Sclerodictyon Pierre) Carpodinus R. Br.
Stamens inserted near the base or the middle of the corolla-tube. Style
short or rather short, usually glabrous. 27
27. Calyx large, with numerous filiform glands within, spreading or bent back
in the fruit. Corolla fleshy. Placentas much projecting. Pericarp
woody. Flowers in terminal panicles.—Species 1. West Africa
(Congo). (Under Landolphia Beauv.) Vahadenia Stapf
Calyx small, without glands on the inside. 28
28. Flowers in axillary, or axillary and terminal cymes. Ovules 12-16;
placentas much projecting. Glabrous plants.—Species 25. Central
Africa. Several species yield rubber. (Including Aphanostylis Pierre
and Cylindropsis Pierre). (Plate 129.) Clitandra Benth.
Flowers in terminal panicles or corymbs sometimes overtopped by barren
shoots and then apparently lateral.—Species 45. Tropical and South
Africa. Several species yield rubber, dyes, and edible fruits, from
which drinks are prepared. (Pacourea Aubl., including Ancylobothrys
Pierre and Vahea Lam.) Landolphia Beauv.
29. (23.) Carpels cohering along the ventral suture only. Ovules numerous,
in several rows. Stigmatic head glabrous. Stamens inserted in the
upper half of the corolla-tube. Fruit usually of 2 spreading berries.
Trees. Leaves opposite, with numerous axillary glands. Flowers in
terminal false umbels.—Species 1. West Africa. (Under Tabernaemontana
L.) Picralima Pierre
Carpels wholly connate. Fruit entire. 30
30. Ovules numerous in each cell, in several rows. Disc none. Stamens
inserted in the lower half of the corolla-tube. Calyx without glands.
Fruit a capsule. Seeds ciliate. Erect shrubs. Leaves whorled.—Species
1. Madagascar. Craspidosperma Boj.
Ovules 1-10 in each cell, in one or two rows. 31
31. Stamens inserted in the lower half of the corolla-tube. Anthers linear.
Calyx-tube with many glands inside. Disc ring-shaped. Stigmatic
head cylindrical. Unarmed, climbing shrubs.—Species 1. West Africa
(Congo). Cyclocotyla Stapf
Stamens inserted in the upper half of the corolla-tube. Stigmatic head
crowned by a hairy point. Fruit a berry. Leaves opposite, with a few
axillary glands or without glands. 32
32. Stem unarmed, erect, woody. Bark bitter, poisonous. Inflorescences
axillary. Ovules 1-2 in each ovary-cell.—Species 4. Tropical and
South Africa. They yield arrow-poison and are used as ornamental
plants. (Toxicophloea Harv.) Acocanthera Don
Stem spinous. Bark not bitter nor poisonous. Inflorescences terminal
or pseudo-axillary.—Species 12. Tropical and South Africa. Some
species yield timber, edible fruits, and medicaments, or serve as hedge
plants. (Arduina Mill., Carandas Adans.) Carissa L.
33. (22.) Ovules 2-6 in each carpel. 34
Ovules 8 or more in each carpel. 42
34. Placentas much projecting. Fruit drupaceous. Trees or shrubs. [Subtribe
CERBERINAE.] 35
Placentas little projecting. Corolla-lobes overlapping to the left. Leaves
opposite or whorled. [Subtribe RAUWOLFIINAE.] 38
35. Corolla without scales at the throat; segments overlapping to the right.
Calyx-segments blunt, imbricate in bud. Anthers pointed. Leaves
opposite or whorled.—Species 1. Madagascar and neighbouring
islands. Yields timber, dyes, and medicaments. Ochrosia Juss.
Corolla with scales at the throat; segments overlapping to the left. Calyx-segments
pointed. Leaves alternate. 36
36. Calyx with many glands. Corolla yellow. Disc present. Ovules 2 in a
carpel.—Species 1 (Th. neriifolia Juss.). Cultivated in the tropics.
The seeds yield oil. Thevetia L.
Calyx without glands. Corolla white or reddish. Disc absent. Ovules 4
in a carpel. 37
37. Calyx-segments broadened at the base, imbricate in bud, persistent.
Corolla-tube slightly widened at the throat. Anthers blunt. Pericarp
not fibrous.—Species 1. Madagascar. Yields timber and poison. Tanghinia Thouars
Calyx-segments narrowed at the base, open in bud, deciduous. Corolla-tube
constricted at the throat. Anthers pointed. Pericarp fibrous.—Species
1. Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Yields oil, poison,
and medicaments. Cerbera L.
38. Ovules 4-6 in a carpel, in two rows. Disc and glands of the calyx obscure
or wanting. Seeds with ruminate albumen. Leaves remotely-nerved,
usually whorled.—Species 4. Madagascar. (Gynopogon Forst.) Alyxia R. Br.
Ovules 2-4 in a carpel, in one row. Seeds with uniform albumen or
without albumen. Leaves usually closely-nerved. 39
39. Disc distinctly developed, cup-shaped. Calyx without glands at the base.
Stigmatic head short-cylindrical with a membranous margin at the base.
Fruit drupaceous. Seeds with a fleshy albumen. Leaves with numerous
axillary glands, usually whorled.—Species 25. Tropical and South
Africa. Some species yield timber and medicaments. Rauwolfia L.
Disc obscure or wanting. Anthers pointed. Leaves with hardly perceptible
axillary glands or without glands. 40
40. Calyx with glands at the base. Stigmatic head elliptical, ending in a 2-cleft
point. Fruit berry- or nut-like. Seeds with a cartilaginous albumen.
Trees. Leaves opposite. Flowers in terminal panicles.—Species
2. Central Africa. Hunteria Roxb.
Calyx without basal glands. 41
41. Stigmatic head depressed-capitate, ending in a 2-cleft point. Carpels 2.
Mericarps leathery or woody, dehiscent. Seeds winged, exalbuminous;
embryo with kidney-shaped cotyledons and a short radicle. Leaves
opposite. Flowers in terminal panicles.—Species 5. Central Africa.
One species yields a kind of rubber or resin used as a varnish. Diplorrhynchus Welw.
Stigmatic head oblong-ellipsoid, without a distinct point. Carpels 2-5.
Mericarps berry-like. Seeds not winged, with cartilaginous albumen;
embryo with oblong cotyledons and a long radicle. Flowers in axillary,
rarely pseudo-terminal fascicles or panicles.—Species 13. Central
Africa. One species yields a kind of rubber, another a poison. Pleiocarpa Benth.
42. (33.) Calyx with glands at the base. Fruit succulent, usually indehiscent.
[Subtribe TABERNAEMONTANINAE.] 43
Calyx without basal glands, rarely (Holarrhena) the inner sepals with glands,
the outer without. Fruit dry, usually dehiscent. [Subtribe ALSTONIINAE.] 52
43. Stigmatic head with a usually ring-shaped appendage at the base. Anthers
more or less sagittate. 44
Stigmatic head without a basal appendage. Anthers shortly 2-lobed
at the base. Sepals free or nearly so. Corolla-lobes overlapping to
the left. 48
44. Sepals united high up, obtuse, usually deciduous. Stamens inserted above
the middle of the corolla-tube. Anthers deeply sagittate. Disc usually
distinctly developed. Inflorescences terminal.—Species 15. Tropical
and South-east Africa. (Orchipeda Blume, Piptolaena Harv., under
Tabernaemontana L.) Voacanga Thouars
Sepals free or nearly so. 45
45. Corolla-lobes overlapping to the right. Stamens inserted in the middle
of the corolla-tube. Anther-halves pointed at the base. Disc adnate
to the ovary for the greatest part. Ovules about 9 in a cell, in two rows.
Mericarps striped, dehiscent. Shrubs. Leaves exstipulate. Flowers
small.—Species 1. East Africa. Used medicinally. Schizozygia Baill.
Corolla-lobes overlapping to the left. Disc free or wanting. Leaves
stipulate. 46
46. Corolla-tube slightly widened above the insertion of the stamens. Anthers
obtusely 2-lobed at the base. Disc ring-shaped. Shrubs. Flowers
large, white.—Species 6. West Africa. (Under Tabernaemontana L.) Callichilia Stapf
Corolla-tube gradually narrowed above the insertion of the stamens.
Anthers distinctly sagittate. Disc wanting. 47
47. Corolla-tube slender or widened at the base; stamens inserted near its base.
Climbing shrubs. Leaves without axillary glands.—Species 8. West
Africa to the Great Lakes. (Under Tabernaemontana L.) Gabunia K. Schum.
Corolla-tube widened and bearing the stamens at the middle. Trees or erect
shrubs. Leaves usually with numerous axillary glands.—Species 35.
Tropical and South Africa. Some species yield timber, fibres, rubber,
edible fruits, or medicaments, or serve as ornamental plants; some
are poisonous. (Under Tabernaemontana L.) Conopharyngia Don
48. Corolla bell- or funnel-shaped; tips of the lobes not bent inwards in the
bud. Disc ring-shaped, adnate to the ovary. 49
Corolla salver-shaped; tips of the lobes bent inwards in the bud. Disc
none. 50
49. Narrow part of the corolla-tube short. Bracts small, not forming an
involucre. Undershrubs with a creeping root-stock.—Species 1.
Equatorial West Africa (Cameroons). Calocrater K. Schum.
Narrow part of the corolla-tube long. Bracts large, forming an involucre.
Erect or twining shrubs.—Species 2. Equatorial West Africa (Gaboon). Crioceras Pierre
50. Stigmatic head globose, entire, without an apical point. Mericarps 3-winged,
not or tardily dehiscent. Erect shrubs. Axillary glands and
stipules present. Flowers small, in terminal few-flowered cymes.—Species
1. Equatorial West Africa. (Under Tabernaemontana L.) Pterotaberna Stapf
Stigmatic head oblong, crowned by a 2-cleft point. 51
51. Anthers linear, on short but distinct filaments. Axillary glands and
stipules present.—Species 2, one a native of Madagascar, the other
naturalized in the tropics. Ornamental plants. (Under Tabernaemontana
L.) Ervatamia Stapf
Anthers oblong or ovate, sessile. Axillary glands and stipules absent.—Species
2. West Africa. (Under Carpodinus R. Br. or Picralima
Pierre) Polyadoa Stapf
52. (42.) Disc reduced to two glands alternating with the carpels. Ovules in
two rows. Herbs or undershrubs. Flowers solitary, axillary. 53
Disc ring-shaped or wanting. Shrubs or trees. 54
53. Stamens inserted at the middle of the corolla-tube; filament inflexed;
connective broadened, hairy. Stigmatic head with 5 tufts of hairs.
Corolla blue.—Species 2, one a native of North-west Africa, the other
naturalized there and in the Islands of St. Helena and Ascension. Used
as ornamental and medicinal plants. “Periwinkle.” Vinca L.
Stamens inserted in the upper part of the corolla-tube; filament very
short, oblong; connective glabrous, not broadened. Stigmatic head
glabrous. Corolla white or pink.—Species 3; two natives of Madagascar,
the other one naturalized in Tropical and South Africa. They are used
as ornamental and medicinal plants. (Under Vinca L.) Lochnera Reichb.
54. Disc distinct, wavy, adnate to the ovary. Corolla funnel-shaped. Stamens
inserted below the middle of the corolla-tube. Anthers with long,
curved tails. Erect shrubs. Leaves opposite.—Species 2. East
Africa. Carvalhoa K. Schum.
Disc obscure or absent. Corolla salver-shaped. Anthers with short
tails or without tails. 55
55. Ovary half-inferior. Style very short. Calyx-lobes broad. Stamens
inserted in the lower part of the corolla-tube. Seeds winged. Leaves
alternate, exstipulate, without axillary glands. Erect shrubs or trees.—Species
3. Cultivated and sometimes naturalized in the tropics.
They yield timber, perfumes, medicaments, and edible fruits, and serve
also as ornamental plants. (Plumeria Willd.) Plumeria L.
Ovary superior. Leaves opposite or whorled. 56
56. Corolla with a short ventricose tube and with 5 scales at the throat. Ovules
in two rows. Mericarps keeled or winged, long cohering. Twining
shrubs. Leaves opposite.—Species 5. Madagascar. Some are
poisonous or yield rubber and medicaments. Plectaneia Thouars
Corolla with a long, cylindric tube slightly widened at the insertion of the
stamens, without scales, but sometimes with hairs or with a continuous
ring at the throat. Ovules usually in three or more rows. 57
57. Corolla with a tubercled ring at the throat. Stamens inserted in the upper
part of the corolla-tube. Stigmatic head conical, with a membranous
APOCYNACEAE.
FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 129.
J. Fleischmann del.
Clitandra Arnoldiana De Wild.
A Flowering branch. B Flower. C Flower cut lengthwise. D Cross-section of ovary.
ASCLEPIADACEAE.
FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 130.
J. Fleischmann del.
Tacazzea venosa (Hochst.) Decne.
A Flowering branch. B Flower cut lengthwise (a corona-lobe, b pollen-carrier). C Corolla-segment and corona-lobes. D Fruit. E Seed.
margin at the base. Small trees. Leaves opposite. Flowers in
terminal, many-flowered panicles.—Species 1. Madagascar. Stephanostegia Baill.
Corolla without a ring, but sometimes with a crown of hairs at the throat. 58
58. Corolla-lobes overlapping to the right. Calyx-segments narrow. Stamens
inserted in the lower part of the corolla-tube. Seeds with an apical
tuft of hairs. Trees or erect shrubs. Leaves opposite, herbaceous,
exstipulate.—Species 6. Tropics. Some of them yield timber or
medicaments. Holarrhena R.Br.
Corolla-lobes overlapping to the left. 59
59. Stamens inserted at the base of the corolla-tube. Anthers with short,
pointed tails at the base. Twining shrubs. Leaves opposite, stipulate,
without axillary glands. (See 46.) Gabunia K. Schum,.
Stamens inserted at the middle or in the upper part of the corolla-tube.
Anthers not tailed. 60
60. Stamens inserted about the middle of the corolla-tube. Anthers acuminate.
Stigmatic head elliptical. Seeds winged. Twining shrubs. Leaves
opposite. Flowers in lateral, few-flowered cymes.—Species 2. Madagascar
and Comoro Islands. Ellertonia Wight
Stamens inserted in the upper part of the corolla-tube. Erect shrubs.
Leaves whorled. Flowers in terminal cymes or panicles. 61
61. Ovules in two rows. Corolla yellow, glabrous at the throat; lobes auricled
at the base. Seeds winged. Leaves with few or obscure side-nerves.
Flowers in few-flowered cymes.—Species 1. South Africa. Yields
timber and an aromatic oil. Gonioma E. Mey.
Ovules in 3 or more rows. Seeds hairy. Leaves with numerous side-nerves.
Flowers in many-flowered, whorled panicles.—Species 1.
Central Africa. Poisonous and yielding cork-wood, a guttapercha-like
resin, and medicaments. Alstonia R. Br.
FAMILY 201. ASCLEPIADACEAE
Stem usually twining and woody at the base. Juice mostly milky. Leaves simple, without stipules, usually opposite, sometimes reduced to scales. Flowers with bracts and bracteoles, regular, hermaphrodite, 5-merous. Sepals free or nearly so, imbricate in bud. Petals united below, with contorted or valvate aestivation. Stamens 5, usually adnate to the style. Filaments short or wanting. Pollen-grains united in waxy masses or in granules of 3-5 grains. Corona formed of appendages of the petals or stamens, rarely wanting. Disc none. Ovaries 2, free, superior, rarely half-inferior, with many pendulous inverted ovules on a ventral placenta, very rarely (Emicocarpus) with 1-2 ovules. Styles 2, united above into a thickened, sometimes 2-parted head bearing on its under surface 5 stigmatic dots and on its flanks between the anthers 5 small, usually horny bodies (“pollen-carriers”) to which the pollen is attached. Fruit of one or two follicles. Seeds usually with a tuft of hairs and scanty albumen. Embryo with flat cotyledons and a short radicle.—Genera 118, species 1100. (Including PERIPLOCACEAE). (Plate 130.)
1. Pollen in loosely cohering granules formed of 3-5 grains each. Pollen-carriers
spoon- or trumpet-shaped, consisting of the concave blade
holding the pollen, the stalk, and the adhesive gland at its base. Filaments
usually free. [Subfamily PERIPLOCOIDEAE, tribe PERIPLOCEAE.] 2
Pollen of each anther-half closely united into 1-2 waxy masses. Pollen-carriers
not spoon- or trumpet-shaped, consisting of a central body and
two lateral, rarely obsolete arms (“caudicles”) to which the pollen-masses
are attached. Filaments nearly always united or wanting.
[Subfamily CYNANCHOIDEAE.] 29
2. Corona inserted on the stamens or at their base. 3
Corona inserted on the corolla remote from the stamens, but sometimes
decurrent nearly to the insertion of the stamens. 16
3. Corona consisting of free scales or threads. 4
Corona consisting of scales or threads united at their base. 9
4. Corona indistinct, consisting of minute scales. 5
Corona distinctly developed. 6
5. Corona adnate to the filaments. Corolla-lobes oval. Anthers ovate-oblong.
Leaves lanceolate. Flowers in dense, long-stalked cymes or
panicles.—Species 2. East Africa. (Including Macropelma Schum.
and Sacleuxia Baill.) Gymnolaema Benth.
Corona free from the filaments. Corolla-lobes linear-oblong. Anthers
linear-oblong. Leaves orbicular. Flowers in lax cymes.—Species
1. Equatorial East Africa. Baseonema Schlecht. & Rendle
6. Corolla with valvate or almost valvate aestivation, divided nearly to the
base. Calyx without glands. Corona-lobes broad, contiguous, usually
with a linear, 2-cleft dorsal appendage. Stem twining. Leaves cordate,
connected by a toothed stipular sheath. Inflorescences axillary.—Species
2. Central and South-east Africa. Used medicinally. Chlorocodon Hook. fil.
Corolla with distinctly contorted aestivation. Sepals alternating with
glands, very rarely without, but then stem erect. 7
7. Anthers hairy. Corona-lobes thread-like, sometimes broadened at the base
or cleft at the top.—Species 5. Some of them yield fibre, rubber,
poison, or medicaments. (Including Parquetina Baill. and Socotora
Balf. fil.) Periploca L.
Anthers glabrous. 8
8. Stem woody, twining. Leaves linear. Inflorescences axillary or on
axillary dwarf-shoots. Corolla white, rotate, divided nearly to the
base. Corona-lobes thread-like, 3-cleft.—Species 1. Equatorial East
Africa. (Pleurostelma Schlecht., under Tacazzea Decne.) Schlechterella K. Schum.
Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only, usually erect; underground
part tuberous. Corolla with a distinct tube, rarely divided nearly to
the base, but then inflorescences terminal.—Species 30. Central and
South Africa. Several species yield rubber. (Raphionacme Harv.,
including Gonocrypta Baill., Kompitsia Cost. et Gall., and Mafekingia
Baill.) Raphiacme Harv.
9. (3.) Corona indistinct, consisting of minute scales. Corolla dark purple.
Seeds hairy all round. Leaves oblong-cordate, connected by a large
toothed stipular sheath. Flowers in axillary panicles.—Species 1.
Equatorial West Africa. (Including Perithrix Pierre). Batesanthus N. E. Brown
Corona distinctly developed. 10
10. Corolla with valvate or almost valvate aestivation. 11
Corolla with distinctly contorted aestivation. 13
11. Corona-lobes united high up, usually 10. Anthers with a leaf-like appendage
at the top. Pollen-carriers at first hooded, subsequently spreading
reniform. Flowers in axillary cymes.—Species 7. Madagascar and
Mascarenes. Used medicinally. (Including Baroniella Cost. et Gall.) Camptocarpus Decne.
Corona-lobes united at the base only, lanceolate, 5. Anthers with a small
appendage or without any. Pollen-carriers spatulate or spoon-shaped.
Leaves lanceolate. 12
12. Corona-lobes rather blunt. Anthers ending in a membranous, trigonous
appendage. Stigmatic head 5-angled. Flowers in few-flowered axillary
cymes.—Species 1. Island of Rodrigues. Tanulepis Balf. fil.
Corona-lobes tailed. Anthers without an appendage. Stigmatic head
conical. Flowers solitary or 2-3 together.—Species 1. Madagascar. Symphytonema Schlecht.
13. Anthers hairy. (See 7.) Periploca L.
Anthers glabrous. Corona-lobes 5, filiform or linear. 14
14. Stigmatic head flat, 5-lobed. Corona-lobes shortly and unequally two-cleft
at the top. Corolla yellow. Flowers small, in axillary panicles.
Leaves lanceolate.—Species 1. Madagascar. Harpanema Decne.
Stigmatic head short-conical. Corona-lobes entire or divided into 2-3
filiform branches. 15
15. Corona-lobes provided with 2 lateral teeth at the base; no lobules within
them. Pollen-carriers with an oval, entire blade. Corolla greenish.
Flowers large, in terminal cymes. Leaves oblong-obovate.—Species 1.
South-east Africa. (Under Raphionacme Harv,.) Chlorocyathus Oliv.
Corona-lobes without basal teeth; 5 small lobules within them. Pollen-carriers
with a notched blade. Flowers small, in axillary cymes or
panicles.—Species 15. Central and South-east Africa. Some species
are used medicinally, one of them produces a kind of rubber. (Including
Leptopaetia Harv.) (Plate 130.) Tacazzea Decne.
16. (2.) Corolla-tube as long as or longer than the segments. Corona-lobes
awl-shaped. 17
Corolla-tube shorter than the segments. 18
17. Sepals linear, without basal glands. Corolla salver-shaped, with scales at the
throat. Anthers hairy, with a tailed connective. Ovary superior.
Mericarps cylindrical, smooth. Leaves linear or lanceolate.—Species 2.
South Africa. Ectadium E. Mey.
Sepals oval, with numerous basal glands. Corolla funnel-shaped, red or
violet, with scales in the tube. Anthers with an acute appendage.
Ovary half-inferior. Mericarps ribbed lengthwise or winged. Leaves
oblong to ovate.—Species 2. Madagascar and Mascarenes; also
cultivated in Central Africa. They yield rubber, poison, and medicaments,
and serve as ornamental plants. Cryptostegia R. Br.
18. Corona double, the outer of 5 triangular, the inner of 5 obcordate scales.
Filaments rather long. Anthers with a bristle-like point.—Species 1.
Central Africa. Omphalogonus Baill.
Corona simple. 19
19. Corona-lobes 2-cleft, short and thick. Corolla bell-shaped. Sepals
acuminate, with toothed glands at the base. Anthers ending in a long,
awl-shaped appendage. Leaves broad-ovate. Flowers in many-flowered
panicles.—Species 1. Island of Socotra. (Socotranthus O.
Ktze.) Cochlanthus Balf. fil.
Corona-lobes entire or 3-cleft. 20
20. Corona-lobes three-cleft or broadened at the base. 21
Corona-lobes entire, not broadened at the base. 23
21. Filaments united below. Stigmatic head flat. Corona-lobes thread-shaped.
Erect shrubs or undershrubs. Leaves whorled or alternate,
linear. Flowers in axillary cymes.—Species 1. Southern West
Africa (Angola). (Under Tacazzea Decne.) Aechmolepis Decne.
Filaments free. Stigmatic head short-conical. 22
22. Sepals blunt, with basal glands. Corolla bell-shaped, with narrow segments.
Corona-lobes thread- or spindle-shaped. Erect shrubs. Leaves in
clusters, linear. Flowers solitary.—Species 1. Island of Socotra. Mitolepis Balf. fil.
Sepals pointed. Corona-lobes usually 3-cleft. Herbs or undershrubs;
underground part of the stem tuberous. Flowers in cymes. (See 8.) Raphiacme Harv.
23. Corona-lobes short and broad, arising from the very short corolla-tube
opposite the segments. Stem twining.—Species 1. Madagascar.
(Under Pentopetia Decne.) Pentopetiopsis Cost. & Gall.
Corona-lobes long and narrow. 24
24. Corona-lobes thread-shaped. Sepals pointed. Flowers in cymes. 25
Corona-lobes club-shaped. Corolla bell- or wheel-shaped. 26
25. Corolla wheel-shaped. Anthers with a short mucro. Erect tuberous
shrubs. Leaves whorled.—Species 1. Madagascar. Ischnolepis Jum. & Perr.
Corolla funnel-shaped. Anthers with a long ciliate process. Twining
shrubs.—Species 10. Madagascar. Used medicinally; one species
yields rubber. (Under Tacazzea Decne.) Pentopetia Decne.
26. Corona-lobes arising from the sinuses between the corolla-segments.
Corolla bell-shaped, with oblong segments. Leaves opposite. Flowers
in terminal and axillary cymes.—Species 1. South-east Africa to Lake
Ngami. (Under Cryptolepis R. Br.) Stomatostemma N. E. Brown
Corona-lobes arising from the corolla-tube below the sinuses. 27
27. Sepals pointed, lanceolate. Corolla bell-shaped with long and narrow segments.
Filaments united at the base. Pollen-carriers with an orbicular
blade. Erect shrubs. Leaves in clusters. Flowers solitary or in pairs.—Species
1. South-west Africa to Angola. (Under Cryptolepis R. Br.) Curroria Planch.
Sepals blunt. Corolla wheel-shaped. Pollen-carriers with a linear or
oblong blade. Leaves scattered. Flowers in sometimes few-flowered
cymes or panicles. 28
28. Corolla with long and narrow segments, beaked in bud. Filaments united
at the base. Anthers almost erect. Pollen-carriers linear. Stem
twining. Inflorescences lax.—Species 15. Tropical and South Africa.
One species yields a dye. (Including Acustelma Baill.). Cryptolepis R. Br.
Corolla with oblong, rather short segments, hence not beaked in bud.
Filaments free. Anthers inflexed. Pollen-carriers with an oblong blade.
Stem usually erect. Inflorescences dense.—Species 10. Central and
South Africa. (Under Cryptolepis R. Br.) Ectadiopsis Benth.
29. (1.) Pollen-masses contained in the lower part of the anthers, pendulous
from the arms of the pollen-carriers. [Tribe ASCLEPIADEAE.] 30
Pollen-masses contained in the upper part of the anthers and attached to
the pollen-carriers in an erect, ascending, or horizontal, rarely (Tylophora)
an almost pendulous position. 75
30. Corona obscure or wanting. [Subtribe ASTEPHANINAE.] 31
Corona distinctly developed. 34
31. Corolla shortly lobed, urceolate, hairy within. Calyx without glands.
Corona arising from the corolla-tube or wanting. Filaments short.
Stigmatic head conical, notched. Mericarps thin or rather thin. Twining
shrubs. Leaves narrow. Flowers of medium size, in usually
many-flowered cymes or umbels.—Species 10. South Africa. Microloma R. Br.
Corolla deeply divided. Corona arising from the staminal tube or wanting;
in the latter case filaments none and flowers small. 32
32. Anthers sessile or nearly so. Corona-lobes alternating with the anthers or
wanting. Corolla campanulate or urceolate, glabrous or tubercled
within. Stigmatic head more or less conical. Mericarps thick or rather
thick. Shrubs or undershrubs. Flowers small, in usually few-flowered
cymes.—Species 10. Southern and tropical Africa. (Including Haemax
E. Mey. and Microstephanus N. E. Brown). Astephanus R. Br.
Anthers stalked. Corona-lobes opposite to the anthers. Leaves oval. 33
33. Stigmatic head beaked. Calyx glandular. Corolla campanulate. Small
shrubs. Flowers in few-flowered, sessile cymes or fascicles.—Species 1.
Northern East Africa. Podostelma K. Schum.
Stigmatic head truncate or slightly convex. Corolla campanulate or
rotate. Twining herbs or undershrubs. Flowers in racemosely arranged,
umbel-like cymes.—Species 1. East Africa. (Under Tylophora R. Br.) Tylophoropsis N. E. Brown
34. (30.) Corona inserted on the corolla, free from the staminal tube, but
sometimes approximate to it. [Subtribe GLOSSONEMATINAE.] 35
Corona, at least the inner, inserted on the staminal tube. 43
35. Corona double, the outer ring-shaped, the inner of 5 lanceolate scales.
Anthers sessile. Calyx glandular within. Corolla rotate or widely
campanulate, glabrous within, with valvate aestivation. Twining herbs or
undershrubs. Flowers conspicuous, in umbels or racemes.—Species 2.
Central Africa and Egypt. Used as vegetables, as ornamental plants,
and in medicine. Oxystelma R. Br.
Corona simple. Corolla with contorted aestivation. 36
36. Corona-lobes united about to the middle. 37
Corona-lobes free or united at the base only. Staminal tube short or
wanting. 38
37. Sepals blunt. Corolla rotate, yellowish; segments velvety within, with
distinctly contorted aestivation. Corona of 10 lobes, the alternating
2-cleft. Anthers without an apical appendage. Stigmatic head with
5 small points at the angles. Twining shrubs. Leaves wanting.
Flowers small, in few-flowered umbels.—Species 2. Madagascar. Vohemaria Buchen.
Sepals pointed, with numerous glands within. Corolla almost campanulate;
segments glabrous within, with subvalvate aestivation. Corona
of 5 lobes. Staminal column long. Stigmatic head flat or slightly
concave, 5-lobed. Mericarps short and thick. Erect shrubs. Leaves
lanceolate. Flowers in many-flowered cymes.—Species 1. Nile-lands
and Sahara. Used medicinally,. (Under Cynanchum L.) Solenostemma Hayne
38. Corona inserted at the base of the corolla. Flowers in few-flowered
cymes. 39
Corona inserted below the sinuses of the corolla. Calyx with 5 glands
at the base. Flowers in umbel-like inflorescences. Erect herbs. 41
39. Corolla-tube longer than the segments. Calyx without glands inside.
Corona-lobes strap-shaped, gibbous outside. Twining shrubs.—Species
1. Naturalized in the island of Madeira. Araujia Brot.
Corolla-tube shorter than the segments. Herbs or undershrubs. 40
40. Calyx without glands inside. Corona-lobes petal-like. Twining undershrubs.—Species
2. West Africa. Prosopostelma Baill.
Calyx with 5 glands inside. Corona-lobes not petal-like. Mericarps
thick, prickly. Erect or procumbent, downy or cottony plants.—Species
7. Central Africa, Sahara, and Egypt. Glossonema Decne.
41. Corona-lobes bristle-like, curved. Corolla with linear divisions. Stigmatic
head elongate-conical. Leaves linear. Flowers solitary.—Species 1.
Northern East Africa. (Under Glossonema Decne.) Conomitra Fenzl
Corona-lobes broad. Corolla with lanceolate or ovate divisions. Leaves
lanceolate or oblong. 42
42. Stigmatic head elongate-conical, 2-cleft, projecting beyond the anther-appendages.—Species
1. South Africa. (Under Parapodium E. Mey.) Rhombonema Schlecht.
Stigmatic head obtuse-subconical, not projecting beyond the anther-appendages.—Species
2. South Africa. Parapodium E. Mey.
43. (34.) Corona-lobes united more or less, usually high up. Corolla with
contorted, rarely with valvate aestivation. [Subtribe CYNANCHINAE.] 44
Corona-lobes free or nearly so. Corolla with valvate or almost valvate
aestivation. Erect or procumbent herbs or undershrubs, rarely twining
or shrubby. [Subtribe ASCLEPIADINAE]. 60
44. Corona double. 45
Corona simple, but sometimes with small accessory teeth between or
within the lobes. 51
45. Leaves reduced to scales or absent. Flowers in umbels or fascicles. Twining
or procumbent shrubs. 46
Leaves well developed. 49
46. Corolla shortly lobed or cleft to the middle, with valvate aestivation. Outer
corona cupular, entire or lobed. 47
Corolla divided beyond the middle, with contorted aestivation, small,
white or yellow. 48
47. Corolla shortly lobed, large, red. Outer corona entire or obscurely lobed.
Stigmatic head 2-lobed.—Species 1. Madagascar. Platykeleba N. E. Brown
Corolla cleft to the middle. Outer corona distinctly lobed. Stigmatic
head entire.—Species 1. Madagascar. Decanemopsis Cost. & Gall.
48. Outer corona of 5 long lobes united below, awl-shaped above. Corolla
yellow. Mericarps very long.—Species 2. Madagascar and Mauritius.
Used medicinally. Decanema Decne.
Outer corona short, ring- or cup-shaped, entire or shortly lobed.—Species
8. Tropical and South Africa. The stem and the milky juice of some
species are edible or used medicinally; they also yield resin. (Including
Sarcocyphula Harv.) Sarcostemma R. Br.
49. Outer corona lobed; lobes of the inner spurred. Sepals lanceolate, with
glands at the base. Corolla white or greenish, woolly. Twining shrubs.
Leaves broad-cordate. Flowers in many-flowered panicles.—Species
5. Used as medicinal and fibre-plants. (Pergularia L.) Daemia R. Br.
Outer corona nearly entire. Leaves linear, oblong, or ovate. Flowers
in few-flowered umbels or fascicles. 50
50. Sepals lanceolate, without glands. Stigmatic head with a boss at the top
and surrounded by a short 5-lobed cup. Erect shrubs. Leaves linear.—Species
1. East Africa. Diplostigma K. Schum.
Sepals elliptical, with minute glands at the base. Stigmatic head without a
distinct boss. Twining herbs or undershrubs.—Species 4. Tropics.
Used medicinally. Pentatropis Wight & Arn.
51. (44.) Corona much lower than the stamens. 52
Corona equalling or exceeding the stamens. 54
52. Corona fleshy, crenate. Stigmatic head capitate, papillose. Mericarps
linear. Erect herbs with a tuberous root-stock. Flowers in terminal
panicles.—Species 1. West Africa (Congo). Nanostelma Baill.
Corona membranous, lobed. Stigmatic head with a boss or beak. Twining
or procumbent undershrubs or shrubs. 53
53. Corolla campanulate. Corona-lobes alternating with the anthers. Stigmatic
head with a long, 2-lobed beak. Twining undershrubs. Leaves
small. Flowers axillary, solitary or in few-flowered cymes.—Species 1.
Madagascar. Pleurostelma Baill.
Corolla rotate. Stigmatic head with a boss or a short beak. Twining or
procumbent shrubs. Leaves none. Flowers in umbels. (See 48.) Sarcostemma R. Br.
54. Corona very large, campanulate, corolla-like. Stigmatic head conical.
Corolla campanulate; lobes rolled back at the edge. Twining shrubs.
Flowers in axillary umbels.—Species 3. Central Africa. (Under
Cynanchum L.) Perianthostelma Baill.
Corona not corolla-like. 55
55. Corona with concave or laterally compressed lobes. Herbs or undershrubs. 56
Corona with flat, but sometimes appendaged lobes, or entire. 58
56. Corona-lobes obviously united below, concave, 10. Stigmatic head
pyramidal. Sepals blunt, without glands. Flowers solitary or in pairs.
Leaves linear.—Species 1. South Africa. (Under Cynanchum L.) Flanagania Schlecht.
Corona-lobes nearly free. Stigmatic head rounded or produced into a
boss at the top. Sepals pointed, with small glands at the base. Flowers
in umbels or racemes. Stem twining. 57
57. Corolla with broad divisions. Corona-lobes with an inflexed apical appendage.
Leaves broad. Flowers in racemes or panicles.—Species 5.
South and Central Africa. Some have edible fruits. Pentarrhinum E. Mey.
Corolla with narrow divisions. Corona-lobes laterally compressed. Flowers
in few-flowered umbels. (See 50.) Pentatropis Wight & Arn.
58. Staminal column long. Corona-lobes 10-15. Sepals lanceolate-oblong,
with basal glands. Corolla rotate. Erect shrubs. Leaves cordate-ovate.
Flowers in racemes.—Species 2. East Africa. (Under
Cynanchum L. or Vincetoxicum Moench). Schizostephanus Hochst.
Staminal column short or wanting. 59
59. Sepals subulate, with solitary glands at the base. Corolla campanulate or
urceolate; lobes pointed, fleshy at the sinuses. Corona entire or 5-lobed.
Stigmatic head lengthened, mushroom-shaped. Erect herbs.
Leaves linear. Flowers small, in umbel-like inflorescences.—Species 2.
Madagascar. Pycnoneurum Decne.
Sepals lanceolate or ovate. Flowers in umbel- or raceme-like inflorescences.—Species
40. Some of them yield fibre, poison, or medicaments.
(Including Cynoctonum E. Mey., Endotropis Endl., and Vincetoxicum
Moench) Cynanchum L.
60. (43.) Corona-lobes distinctly concave, more or less hood-shaped. Erect
plants. 61
Corona-lobes flat or rather flat, sometimes keeled. 66
61. Pollen-carriers with very large, broad and concave arms. Stigmatic
head more or less ruminate. Sepals pointed, with numerous basal
glands. Corolla rotate. Corona-lobes not spurred. Herbs. Leaves
narrow. Inflorescences umbel-like.—Species 10. Central and South
Africa. (Under Asclepias L.) Stathmostelma K. Schum.
Pollen-carriers with narrow and flat arms. Stigmatic head not ruminate. 62
62. Corona-lobes with a recurved spur at the base and two teeth at the apex.
Anthers stalked. Stigmatic head depressed. Sepals pointed, with
many glands at the base. Corolla green outside, red within. Mericarps
inflated. Leaves broad. Flowers large, in panicles.—Species 2.
Central and North Africa. They yield a kind of rubber, bast-fibre,
vegetable silk, poison, and medicaments, and serve as ornamental plants. Calotropis R. Br.
Corona-lobes not spurred. 63
63. Corona lobes with a more or less horn-like appendage arising from the
cavity. Sepals pointed, with solitary or paired glands at the base.
Corolla rotate. Mericarps thick. Herbs or undershrubs. Inflorescences
umbel-like.—Species 40. Central and South Africa; besides one species
naturalized in the tropics. Some species yield rubber, fibre from the
bark, vegetable silk from the hairy seeds, or medicaments; several
serve as ornamental plants. Asclepias L.
Corona-lobes without an appendage in the cavity, but sometimes with
scale- or tooth-like appendages at the base. 64
64. Corona-lobes without appendages or alternating with small teeth. Sepals
pointed, with basal glands. Stigmatic head usually flat.—Species 110.
Some of them yield vegetable silk or medicaments, or serve as ornamental
plants. (Including Krebsia Harv. and Pachycarpus E. Mey., under
Asclepias L.) Gomphocarpus L.
Corona-lobes with rather large scale-like appendages at the base. Sepals
without basal glands. Herbs. Flowers small, in umbel-like inflorescences. 65
65. Corona-lobes curved inwards, attached to the stamens only by their basal
appendages. Stigmatic head with a boss at the top. Leaves ovate.—Species
3. South and Central Africa. Woodia Schlecht.
Corona-lobes erect-connivent, inserted on the stamens. Stigmatic head
elevate-conical, 2-lobed. Sepals blunt. Corolla campanulate; segments
with recurved tips. Leaves linear.—Species 1. South Africa.
(Under Schizoglossum E. Mey.) Stenostelma Schlecht.
66. (60.) Corona of 3 rows of 5 lobes each; those of the middle row 3-lobed or
3-parted. Corolla rotate; segments narrowly overlapping in the bud.
Sepals with basal glands. Flowers in few-flowered umbels or corymbs.
Erect or more frequently procumbent herbs or undershrubs. 67
Corona simple. 68
67. Ovules 1-2 in each carpel. Mericarps triangular, ending in three spines.
Seeds glabrous. Branches long. Leaves palmately 5-7-lobed.—Species
1. South-east Africa (Delagoa Bay). (Lobostephanus N. E.
Brown). Emicocarpus K. Schum. & Schlecht.
Ovules 3 or more in each carpel. Branches short. Leaves linear-filiform
or linear-hastate.—Species 5. South Africa. Eustegia R. Br.
68. Corona-lobes petal-like, coloured, larger than the corolla-lobes, spatulate.
Divisions of the corolla usually rolled back. Sepals with many glands
at the base. Stigmatic head flat or short-conical. Erect herbs with a
tuberous root-stock. Leaves narrow. Flowers in umbels.—Species 6.
Central Africa. Margaretta Oliv.
Corona-lobes not petal-like. 69
69. Corona-lobes very thick and fleshy, more rarely moderately fleshy, and
then without an appendage and without a keel or with a single keel on
the inner face, but sometimes alternating with small teeth. Stigmatic
head low. Erect plants. 70
Corona-lobes thin, rarely somewhat fleshy, but then with 2 keels or 1-2
appendages on the inner face. Herbs or undershrubs. 71
70. Stem woody. Leaves narrow, with minute bristles in their axils. Flowers
in sometimes very short racemes. Sepals with basal glands. Corolla
campanulate, cleft to the middle or beyond; segments woolly within.—Species
1. Central Africa. Used medicinally. Kanahia R. Br.
Stem herbaceous or woody at the base, tuberous under ground. Flowers
in umbels. Corolla divided nearly to the base.—Species 45. Central
and South Africa. Some species have edible tubers or are used in
medicine. (Including Glossostelma Schlecht.) Xysmalobium R. Br.
71. Corolla shortly lobed or cleft half-way down. Sepals with glands at the
base. Corona-lobes gibbous within. Stigmatic head truncate or umbonate.
Stem twining. Flowers large, in axillary umbels or racemes.
(See 34.) Oxystelma R. Br.
Corolla deeply divided. 72
72. Stigmatic head produced much beyond the anthers into a long beak 2-lobed
at the apex. Corona-lobes linear. Corolla-segments narrow. Sepals
awl-shaped, without glands. Flowers in lateral cymes or racemes.
Leaves linear. Twining herbs or undershrubs.—Species 1. South
Africa. (Oncinema Arn.) Glossostephanus E. Mey.
Stigmatic head not or slightly projecting beyond the anthers. Sepals
with glands at the base. Flowers in umbels. Stem erect, rarely procumbent. 73
73. Stigmatic head club-shaped. Corona-lobes somewhat fleshy, with a
transverse ridge or a short scale on the inner face. Sepals lanceolate,
with solitary glands. Inflorescences many-flowered. Leaves linear.—Species
5. South Africa and Southern East Africa. (Including Periglossum
Decne.) Cordylogyne E. Mey.
Stigmatic head truncate or depressed and usually umbonate. 74
74. Inflorescences terminal. Sepals with many glands at the base. Corolla
white, with long hairs on the edges of the segments. Connective fringed.
Corona-lobes purple, with two linear appendages at the base, but without
keels. Leaves narrow.—Species 1. South Africa. Used as an
ornamental plant. Fanninia Harv.
Inflorescences lateral or terminal and lateral. Corona-lobes usually with
2 keels on the inner face.—Species 120. South and Central Africa
(Including Aspidoglossum E. Mey., Lagarinthus E. Mey., and Mackenia
Harv.) Schizoglossum E. Mey.
75. (29.) Pollen-masses 2 in each anther-half (4 on each pollen-carrier), very
small. Pollen-carriers very small, broad, pale, rather soft. Anthers
with a more or less fringed appendage at the top. Corona, at least the
inner, arising from the stamens. Flowers small, in axillary cymes or
terminal panicles. [Tribe SECAMONEAE.] 76
Pollen-masses solitary in each anther-half (2 on each pollen-carrier).
Pollen-carriers hard, horny, usually of a dark colour. [Tribe TYLOPHOREAE.] 78
76. Pollen-carriers with well developed, narrow arms. Corolla yellow, urceolate,
with short triangular lobes. Sepals oval.—Species 1. Madagascar.
Yields rubber. Secamonopsis Jum.
Pollen-carriers with short and broad or indistinct arms. Corolla rotate. 77
77. Stem erect, shrubby. Flowers in few-flowered cymes. Corolla adnate
to the ovary at the base; segments very long, spatulate. Corona-lobes
5, filiform. Pollen-carriers without distinct arms.—Species 1.
Madagascar. Poisonous. Menabea Baill.
Stem twining or procumbent, shrubby or half-shrubby.—Species 45.
Tropical and South Africa. Some are used medicinally. (Including
Toxocarpus Wight et Arn.) Secamone R. Br.
78. Anthers with a distinct, membranous, flat or inflated appendage at the apex.
Corolla usually with contorted aestivation. [Subtribe MARSDENIINAE.] 79
Anthers with a very short appendage or a small point, or without any
appendage at the apex. Corolla nearly always with valvate aestivation.
[Subtribe CEROPEGIINAE.] 93
79. Corona absent. Sepals blunt, with solitary glands. Shrubs. 80
Corona present. 81
80. Inflorescence 1-3-flowered. Corolla campanulate, woolly within; segments
overlapping to the right. Stigmatic head obtuse-conical. Mericarps
short, thick, covered with longitudinal ridges. Branches erect or procumbent,
downy. Leaves fleshy, linear.—Species 1. South Africa
(Cape Colony.) Rhyssolobium E. Mey.
Inflorescence many-flowered. Sepals unequal. Corolla-segments overlapping
to the left. Apical appendages of the anthers ciliate-laciniate.
Stigmatic head hemispheric or conical. Mericarps long, smooth.
Branches twining, glabrous.—Species 1. Madagascar and Mascarenes. Trichosandra Decne.
81. Corona arising from the corolla below its sinuses and consisting of 5 scales.
Sepals blunt. Corolla campanulate. Twining, hairy shrubs. Leaves
ovate. Flowers small, in umbels.—Species 1. Tropical and South
Africa. Yields fibre. Gymnema R. Br.
Corona, at least the inner, arising from the stamens. 82
82. Corona double. Twining shrubs. Leaves herbaceous. 83
Corona simple; lobes in one row, but sometimes furnished with appendages
on the inner face. 85
83. Outer and inner corona arising from the staminal column and consisting
of 5 scales each. Sepals linear-lanceolate. Flowers in few-flowered umbel-like
cymes.—Species 1. Southern East Africa. Swynnertonia S. Moore
Outer corona arising from the corolla, the inner from the stamens. 84
84. Sepals lanceolate. Corolla with contorted aestivation. Inner corona
ring-shaped, slightly lobed. Pollen-masses horizontal. Flowers in panicles.—Species
1. Equatorial West Africa. Oncostemma K. Schum.
Sepals ovate or subulate. Corolla with valvate or almost valvate aestivation.
Inner corona of oblong lobes. Pollen-masses erect. Flowers in
globose, axillary, partly stalked, partly sessile umbels.—Species 2.
West Africa. Anisopus N. E. Brown
85. Corona-lobes united high up, usually numerous. Anthers with a large
inflated appendage. Pollen-masses flat and thin. Pollen-carriers very
small, without distinct arms. Sepals lanceolate, with small solitary
glands. Corolla rotate. Herbs with a tuberous root-stock. Leaves
narrow. Flowers solitary or in fascicle- or corymb-like cymes.—Species
10. Southern and Central Africa. Some have edible tubers. Fockea Endl.
Corona-lobes free or united at the base, 5, but sometimes appendaged. 86
86. Corona-lobes with a narrow appendage on the inner face. Sepals lanceolate,
with solitary glands. Corolla salver-shaped. Mericarps thick.
Twining shrubs. Flowers in dense umbels or racemes.—Species 3.
Tropical and South Africa. (Prageluria N. E. Brown, under Pergularia
L.) Telosma Coville
Corona-lobes without an appendage on the inner face, but sometimes
with a small, usually tubercle-like appendage at the base of the back. 87
87. Corona-lobes united at the base, linear, erect. Sepals lanceolate, without
glands. Corolla with linear segments recurved from the base. Stigmatic
head truncate. Mericarps slender. Erect herbs with a tuberous
rootstock. Leaves linear. Flowers in fascicles.—Species 1. Southeast
Africa to Rhodesia. The tubers are edible. Macropetalum Burch.
Corona-lobes free or nearly so. Twining plants, rarely erect shrubs or
herbs without a tuberous rootstock. 88
88. Corona-lobes spreading, linear. Sepals lanceolate, without glands. Corolla
rotate. Stigmatic head flat or umbonate. Mericarps thick, villous.
Twining, tomentose shrubs. Leaves elliptical. Flowers in cymes.—Species
1. Madagascar. Pervillaea Decne.
Corona-lobes spreading and tubercle-shaped, or erect, or converging. 89
89. Pollen-masses very small, disc-shaped. Corona-lobes short, usually
tubercle-like. Sepals pointed, with solitary glands. Corolla rotate.
Stigmatic head more or less flattened and usually provided with a
central boss at the top. Mericarps slender.—Species 25. Tropical
and South Africa. Some are used medicinally. Tylophora R. Br.
Pollen-masses large or rather large, usually pear-shaped. Mericarps
usually thick. 90
90. Filaments united at the base, free above. Stigmatic head produced into
a long beak. Ovary glabrous. Sepals oblong or ovate, with solitary
glands. Corolla campanulate. Twining shrubs or undershrubs. Leaves
leathery. Flowers in racemes or panicles.—Species 3. West Africa.
(Under Secamone R. Br. or Toxocarpus Wight et Arn.) Rhynchostigma Benth.
Filaments united up to the anthers. 91
91. Anther-appendages cohering into a long tube. Stigmatic head beaked.
Ovary hairy. Sepals elliptical, with solitary glands. Corolla campanulate,
with linear segments. Twining shrubs. Leaves elliptical,
herbaceous. Flowers in panicles.—Species 1. East Africa. (Under
Marsdenia R. Br.) Traunia K. Schum.
Anther-appendages not cohering into a tube. 92
92. Sepals large, without glands. Corolla funnel- or salver-shaped; tube
widened below. Stigmatic head conical. Twining shrubs. Leaves
leathery. Flowers large, in umbels.—Species 5. Madagascar. They
are used as ornamental plants, and the hairs of the seeds as vegetable
silk. Stephanotis Thouars
Sepals small, usually with glands. Leaves herbaceous. Flowers small or
of moderate size.—Species 17. Tropical and South Africa. Some
species yield rubber or serve as vegetables. (Including Dregea E. Mey.
and Pterygocarpus Hochst.) Marsdenia R. Br.
93. (78.) Stem cactus-like, thick and fleshy, with 4 or more angles or rows of
tubercles, usually low. Leaves more or less rudimentary or wanting.
Flowers solitary or in fascicles, fleshy. Sepals pointed, with solitary
glands. Corolla-segments very rarely coherent at the tip. Stigmatic
head flat or ending in a small boss. 94
Stem herbaceous or woody, rarely (Ceropegia) fleshy, but then leafy or
obscurely 3-angled and corolla-segments cohering at the tip, at least
when young. 106
94. Branches divided by longitudinal and transverse furrows into several-ranked
areas, not spiny nor bristly. Corolla rotate or campanulate,
cleft to the middle. Corona-lobes 5 or 10, united at the base.—Species
7. East Africa. Echidnopsis Hook. fil.
Branches angled or tubercled, but not divided into areas, usually spiny
or bristly. 95
95. Branches with more than 6 angles or rows of tubercles, rarely with 6;
in this case with 3-parted spines. 96
Branches with 4, more rarely with 5 or 6 angles or rows of tubercles. Spines
or other appendages of the tubercles simple. 98
96. Spines 3-parted. Flowers solitary or in pairs, large. Corolla tube- or
funnel-shaped, shortly lobed. Corona double, the outer divided into 10
filiform segments terminating in knobs.—Species 2. South Africa and
southern West Africa. (Tavaresia Welw.) Decabelone Decne.
Spines simple or absent. Corolla saucer- or cup-shaped. Outer corona
of 5 two-lobed or two-parted pointed lobes or indistinct. 97
97. Tubercles of the stem united into continuous angles, spiny. Flowers large.
Corolla slightly lobed.—Species 10. South and Central Africa. Hoodia Sweet
Tubercles of the stem not confluent. Flowers rather small. Corolla
lobed to about halfway.—Species 12. South Africa and southern
Central Africa. Trichocaulon N. E. Brown
98. Corolla-segments cohering at the tip. Corona double.—Species 5. South
Africa. Used as vegetables. Pectinaria Haw.
Corolla-segments free at the tip. 99
99. Corona simple, of 5 lobes. 100
Corona double or triple. 101
100. Sepals large. Corolla campanulate, divided half-way down, hairy, inside
red mottled with yellow. Corona-lobes thick, without a dorsal crest:—Species
1. South Africa to Damaraland. (Huerniopsis N. E. Brown). Huerniopsis N. E. Brown
Sepals small. Corolla rotate or campanulate, divided to beyond the
middle. Corona-lobes with a dorsal transverse crest at the base.—Species
10. South Africa. Piaranthus R. Br.
101. Third (outermost) corona corolla-like, arising from the base of the corolla-tube.
Corolla campanulate, hairy.—Species 1. South Africa (Cape
Colony). Diplocyathus N. E. Brown
Third (outermost) corona not corolla-like, arising from the throat of the
corolla, or wanting. 102
102. Second (intermediate) corona disc-shaped, entire; third (outermost) ring-shaped.
Corolla rotate.—Species 20. South Africa to Lake Ngami.
Some are used as ornamental plants. Duvalia Haw.
Second (intermediate or outer) corona ring- or cup-shaped and more or
less deeply divided. 103
103. Corolla with accessory teeth between the lobes, campanulate, more or
less distinctly lobed or cleft.—Species 30. South and Central Africa.
Some are used as ornamental plants. (Huernia R. Br.) Huernia R. Br.
Corolla without accessory teeth between the lobes. 104
104. Corolla campanulate with broad lobes or rotate; in the latter case (as
usually) outer corona divided to the base. Stem with soft spines or
teeth, or without any. Flowers usually large, solitary or in pairs, more
rarely in clusters.—Species 100. South and Central Africa. Some are
used as ornamental or medicinal plants. (Including Podanthes Decne.) Stapelia L.
Corolla campanulate with narrow lobes or rotate; in the latter case outer
corona nearly entire or more or less deeply divided, but not to the
base. 105
105. Inner corona-lobes bent inwards and broadened at the tip, beset with
short spines on the back; outer short, united at the base. Corolla
purple-brown, rotate, cleft half-way down, bearing club-shaped hairs.
Flowers very large, solitary or in pairs. Stem with hard, usually brown
spines.—Species 2. Northern East Africa. Edithcolea N. E. Brown
Inner corona-lobes not broadened at the tip. Flowers of moderate size.
Stem with soft, green spines or teeth.—Species 30. Some of them
are used as ornamental plants, or as vegetables, others are poisonous.
(Including Apteranthes Mik. and Boucerosia Wight et Arn.) Caralluma R. Br.
106. (93.) Corolla tubular, rarely funnel- or salver-shaped; tube long and
narrow, usually widened at the base; lobes usually cohering at the tip,
at least when young. Flowers large or of moderate size, very rarely
small. Herbs or undershrubs. 107
Corolla rotate or campanulate; tube short or rather long but wide;
lobes rarely cohering at the tip. 109
107. Calyx without glands at the base. Corona of 5 lobes. Anthers with a
small appendage at the apex. Flowers in few-flowered umbel-like cymes.
Species 3. South Africa and southern Central Africa. (Barrowia
Decne.) Orthanthera Wight
Calyx with glands at the base. Corolla more or less tubular; lobes
cohering at the tip, at least in bud. Corona double, rarely simple,
but then anthers without an apical appendage. 108
108. Corona double, the inner with short lobes. Anthers with a small appendage
at the apex. Mericarps constricted between the seeds. Twining
plants with a tuberous rootstock. Leaves heart-shaped. Flowers long-stalked,
in fascicles arranged in racemes or panicles.—Species 8. South
and East Africa. Riocreuxia Decne.
Corona double, the inner with long lobes, or simple. Anthers without an
apical appendage. Mericarps not constricted. Flowers solitary or in
fascicles, umbels, or racemes; if in fascicles arranged in racemes or
panicles, then short-stalked.—Species 90. Tropical and South Africa
and Canary Islands. Some species have edible tubers or stems, or serve
as ornamental plants. Ceropegia L.
109. Corona of 5 lobes inserted on the corolla beneath the sinuses, sometimes
with an inconspicuous fleshy ring at the base of the staminal column.
Anthers sometimes with a short apical appendage. Corolla hairy.
Sepals ovate, without glands. Shrubs, sometimes leafless. Flowers
small.—Species 6. Tropics, Sahara, and Egypt. Some species yield
fibre. Leptadenia R. Br.
Corona inserted on the stamens. 110
110. Corona simple. 111
Corona double or triple. 114
111. Corona of 10 lobes united below. Sepals with glands at the base. Corolla
almost rotate, deeply divided. Stigmatic head depressed. Erect herbs.
Leaves broad. Flowers very small.—Species 1. South-east Africa
(Natal). (Under Brachystelma R. Br.) Aulostephanus Schlecht.
Corona of 5 free lobes. 112
112. Corolla rotate. Sepals with glands at the base. Pollen-masses minute,
orbicular. Stigmatic head with a boss at the top. Twining plants.
(See 89.) Tylophora R. Br.
Corolla campanulate or almost urceolate. Erect herbs or undershrubs. 113
113. Sepals lanceolate, with glands at the base. Corolla with contorted
aestivation. Stigmatic head flat. Leaves oblong or elliptic.—Species
4. Central and South Africa. Sphaerocodon Benth.
Sepals without glands. Corolla with valvate aestivation. Leaves linear.—Species
10. South Africa. Sisyranthus E. Mey.
114. Corona 3-ranked, the outermost lobes reflexed, the others erect, the innermost
the largest. Corolla campanulate, deeply divided. Twining
plants. Flowers in racemes, on long pedicels.—Species 1. Equatorial
West Africa (Cameroons). Neoschumannia Schlecht.
Corona 2-ranked. Erect or procumbent herbs or undershrubs, rarely
twining, but then flowers in fascicles. 115
115. Inner corona-lobes broad, shorter than the outer. 116
Inner corona-lobes narrow, longer than the outer. 118
116. Outer corona cupular, entire; inner of 5 small lobes. Corolla campanulate,
blackish-red, hairy within, with valvate aestivation. Flowers solitary,
small. Leaves linear.—Species 1. Southern West Africa (Amboland). Craterostemma K. Schum.
Outer corona divided into 10 lobes. Flowers usually fascicled. 117
117. Corolla rotate, with valvate aestivation. Stem branched. Flowers
small.—Species 2. South Africa. (Under Anisotome Fenzl or Brachystelma
R. Br.) Decaceras Harv.
Corolla rotate-campanulate, with contorted aestivation. Stem simple.—Species
5. South and East Africa. (Under Brachystelma R. Br. or
Tenaris E. Mey.) Lasiostelma Benth.
118. Outer corona-lobes 5, entire or 2-cleft. 119
Outer corona-lobes 10, free from each other or nearly so. Pollen-masses
disciform. Flowers solitary, fascicled, or umbellate. 123
119. Corolla campanulate. Roots spindle-shaped. Stem erect. Flowers solitary
or fascicled.—Species 6. South Africa. (Under Brachystelma R.
Br., Dichaelia Harv., or Lasiostelma Benth.) Brachystelmaria Schlecht.
Corolla rotate. Roots fibrous, somewhat fleshy. 120
120. Stem erect, arising from a tuber. Leaves linear. Flowers usually in
racemes or panicles, rather large. Corolla-segments linear. Anthers
usually with a short appendage at the apex.—Species 5. Central and
South Africa. Tenaris E. Mey.
Stem prostrate or twining. Leaves oblong or ovate. Flowers solitary
or in fascicles or pseudo-umbels. Anthers without an appendage. 121
121. Leaves ovate. Flowers solitary or in pairs, small. Corolla yellow, with
ovate segments. Stem prostrate, springing from a tuber.—Species 1.
South Africa. (Under Brachystelma R. Br.) Tapeinostelma Schlecht.
Leaves cordate. Flowers in fascicles or pseudo-umbels. 122
122. Stem prostrate. Flowers small. Corolla-segments oblong-linear. Inner
corona-lobes subulate.—Species 2. South Africa. (Lophostephus
Harv.) Anisotome Fenzl
Stem twining. Inner corona-lobes oblong or linear-oblong.—Species 2.
South Africa. Emplectanthus N. E. Brown
123. Outer corona-lobes erect. Corolla-segments cohering at the tip.—Species
15. South Africa. (Under Brachystelma R. Br.) Dichaelia Harv.
Outer corona-lobes spreading. Corolla-segments free at the tip.—Species
35. South and Central Africa. Some have edible tubers.
(Including Micraster Harv.) Brachystelma R. Br.