THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF
SOUTH AFRICA.
A MAGAZINE CONTAINING HAND-COLOURED FIGURES WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
FLOWERING PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO SOUTH AFRICA.
EDITED BY
I. B. POLE EVANS, C.M.G., M.A., D.SC., F.L.S.,
Chief, Division of Botany and Plant Pathology, Department of
Agriculture, Pretoria;
and Director of the Botanical Survey of the Union of South Africa.
VOL. I.
[Illustration]
The veld which lies so desolate and bare
Will blossom into cities white and fair,
And pinnacles will pierce the desert air,
And sparkle in the sun.
R. C. MACFIE’S “EX UNITATE VIRES.”
LONDON: L. REEVE & CO., LTD., 6, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
SOUTH AFRICA: THE SPECIALITY PRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA, LTD. P.O. BOX 3958,
JOHANNESBURG; P.O. BOX 388, CAPETOWN. 1921
[_All rights reserved._]
TO
MRS. HENRY BURTON
OF
VOORSPOED, RETREAT, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,
A GREAT ADMIRER OF HER COUNTRY’S PLANTS, TO WHOSE
ENTHUSIASM “THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF SOUTH AFRICA”
OWES ITS ORIGIN, THIS, THE FIRST VOLUME, IS GRATEFULLY
DEDICATED IN RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICES
RENDERED BY HER TO SOUTH AFRICAN BOTANY AND
HORTICULTURE.
DIVISION OF BOTANY, PRETORIA,
_August, 1921_.
FLOWERING PLANTS OF SOUTH AFRICA
PREFACE
The cultivation of South African plants in Europe dates back to early
times.
Indeed, it may safely be assumed that it was in vogue soon after the
Dutch settlement at the Cape, for Holland during the 16th and 17th
centuries held first place in European horticulture. Her cities even
vied with one another in the establishment of gardens of exotic plants,
many of which came from the Cape.
These treasures created such interest and attracted such attention that
Cape plants soon became the fashion and object of envy throughout
Europe. Collectors were specially despatched to these shores for the
purpose of hunting out and securing their botanical wealth.
Evidence also is not lacking that the cultivation of indigenous plants
was carried out at the Cape prior to 1700.
Be this as it may, little remains to-day in South Africa to do credit to
the past preservation and cultivation of our native flora.
In recent years, however, considerable interest has again sprung up in
this direction; in fact, it is rapidly becoming fashionable to have a
rockery of aloes, vijgies, and other succulents as one of the chief
adjuncts to the garden.
Apart from these--perhaps better-known plants--there are many beautiful
flowering herbs, shrubs and trees of the veld, which might with
advantage be grown in our gardens and around our homes.
It is with the object of bringing these gems of nature to the notice of
the public that this publication is offered.
A work of this kind is of necessity a costly undertaking, and its future
existence and ultimate success will depend largely on the support which
it receives at the hands of the public.
The publication of the present volume has only been made possible
through the interest and keenness of a South African lady, whose love
for her country and its natural beauties has been the means of procuring
the necessary funds for the initiation of the work.
It is proposed to issue this publication as an illustrated serial, much
on the same lines as the well-known Curtis’s _Botanical Magazine_, and
for imitating which no apology need be tendered.
Should the publication be the means of stimulating further interest in
the study and cultivation of our indigenous plants amongst the rising
generation, the desire and object of its promoters will be achieved.
Living plants suitable for illustration, plants of economic value, or
plants of general interest, will always be gladly received and welcomed
by the Editor.
As regards the illustrations the Editor has been most fortunate in being
able to place the work of that skilful artist, Miss K. A. Lansdell,
before the public, while the descriptions have been prepared by Dr. E.
Percy Phillips, Botanist in charge of the National Herbarium, to both of
whom it is a pleasure to express one’s special thanks for the trouble
and care which they have taken.
For the information of those of our readers who have not been fortunate
enough to visit our country or our inland capital, it may be added that
the illustration on our cover represents a glimpse of the magnificent
Union Buildings at Pretoria, under whose shadow this work is being
prepared, and on whose site the plants here figured are grown.
It has been the Editor’s privilege and good fortune to see a
comparatively bare kopje converted in the course of a few years into the
site of a grand and stately building surrounded with many of the
country’s most beautiful and interesting herbs and shrubs.
The illustration depicts such characteristic plants as the arborescent
_Aloe Marlothii_, Berg.; the handsome _Aloe Wickensii_, Pole Evans (in
the centre); _Aloe aculeata_, Pole Evans; the neat _Aloe Peglerae_,
Schönland; _Cotyledon orbiculata_, Linn.; _Encephalartos Altensteinii_,
Lehm; and some arborescent euphorbias.
Although most of the plants just mentioned are typical of the vegetation
of the Transvaal, an endeavour will be made in our magazine to depict in
each volume as far as possible an equal number of floral representatives
from all the Provinces.
As the authority for colour nomenclature, _Colour Standards and Colour
Nomenclature_, by R. Ridgway, Washington, 1912, has been adopted.
I. B. POLE EVANS.
Pretoria, 1920.
[Illustration: _1._
K.A. Lansdell del.
AGAPANTHUS UMBELLATUS, L’HERIT.]
PLATE 1.
AGAPANTHUS UMBELLATUS.
_Cape Province_, _Natal_, _Orange Free State_, _Basutoland_, and
_Transvaal_.
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALLIOIDEAE.
AGAPANTHUS, _L’Herit_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p.
798.
* * * * *
=Agapanthus umbellatus=, _L’Herit. Sert. Angl._ 17; _Fl. Cap._ vi. 402.
* * * * *
This well-known garden plant, commonly called the “Agapanthus” or “Blue
Lily,” was introduced into cultivation in England from the Cape as far
back as 1692, and was figured by Commelin of Amsterdam in 1697.
In South Africa the plant is characteristic of the vegetation found on
high mountain ranges. It usually occurs on well-drained slopes.
It is a herbaceous plant with a tuberous rootstock from which 6-10 broad
strap-shaped leaves arise. The lower stalk is about a metre high, and
bears an umbel of 20-50 handsome blue flowers.
DESCRIPTION:--_Rootstock_ short, tuberous, with fleshy cylindric roots.
_Leaves_ dark green, 6-10, basal, 20-60 cm. long, 2-4 cm. broad,
strap-shaped, obtuse, glabrous. _Peduncle_ O·25-1 metre high, terete,
glabrous. _Inflorescence_ a many-flowered umbel. _Spathe-valves_ 2·5 cm.
long, 2 cm. broad at the base, ovate, acuminate, withering in the mature
inflorescence. _Floral-bracts_ 2·7 cm. long, linear. _Pedicels_ about 6
cm. long, terete, jointed at the apex. _Flowers_ blue; perianth-tube 1·7
cm. long, 6 mm. in diameter; lobes 2-5 cm. long, 9 mm. broad,
oblanceolate, obtuse. _Stamens_ inserted at the throat of the
perianth-tube; filaments 2·5-3 cm. long, arcuate; anthers oblong.
_Fruit_ a triquetrous capsule.
F.P.S.A., 1920.
[Illustration: _2._
K.A. Lansdell del.
ALOE GLOBULIGEMMA, I. B. POLE EVANS.]
PLATE 2.
ALOE GLOBULIGEMMA.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.
ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.
* * * * *
=Aloe globuligemma=, _Pole Evans in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Africa_, vol. v.
pp. 30-32, Pls. x., xi.
* * * * *
This remarkable Aloe was collected by Messrs. Wickens and Pienaar in
M‘Phathlele’s Location in the Pietersburg District during January, 1914.
Specimens brought to the Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria, flowered
during July and August of the same year.
In M‘Phathlele’s Location the plant occurs in vast numbers in a very
gregarious manner on the open sandy plains. In fact, it is not uncommon
to find long, continuous belts of thickly crowded plants extending for
two or three hundred yards in length. The plant is typical of the Low
Veld and the river valleys which run from the Zoutpansberg into the
Limpopo basin.
At first the racemes are furnished with widely separated spherical to
globular flower-buds which develop with considerable slowness.
The unopened flowers are rich nopal red (R.C.S.), tinged with green at
the tips. When open, the flowers become a sulphur-yellow (R.C.S.).
Our illustration was made from a plant in the Aloe collection at the
Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--A succulent, stemless plant. _Leaves_ 16-23 in a dense
rosette, glaucous, erect-spreading, 45-50 cm. long, 8-9 cm. broad at the
base, lanceolate-ensiform, acuminate, acute and recurved at the apex,
unspotted, somewhat flat at the base and canaliculate above, with
cartilaginous wavy and toothed margins; teeth pale brown and at right
angles to the margins, 1·5-2 mm. long, and about 8-9 mm. apart, deltoid,
recurved. _Inflorescence_ a panicle, with 5-7 spreading horizontal to
oblique branches with a few small deltoid-acute empty bracts at the
base. _Peduncle_ 06-1 metre high, stout, glaucous, naked. _Racemes_
densely flowered, 22-40 cm. long. _Flowers_ secund, all pointing towards
the centre of the inflorescence and at the same time slightly deflexed;
young buds distinctly globular; in open flowers nopal-red (R.C.S.),
green at the tips; mature flowers sulphur-yellow (R.C.S.) and tinged
with red towards the base. _Floral-bracts_ reflexed, 5-6 mm. long,
ovate-cuspidate, scariose, pellucid. _Pedicels_ recurved, 3-4 mm. long.
_Perianth_ 25 mm. long, cylindrical-ventricose; outer segments free for
15-17 mm., obtuse and recurved at the apex, 3-5-veined; inner segments
obtuse, recurved, tipped with auburn (R.C.S.) at the apex, with 3 inner
veins. _Stamens_ exserted for 11 mm.; filaments slightly recurved, the
exposed portion chestnut-brown (R.C.S.) to black. _Anthers_ mars-orange
(R.C.S.). _Style_ pale sulphur-yellow (R.C.S.), stout, recurved.
_Capsule_ shortly stipitate, 23 mm. long, 13 mm. in diameter,
oblong-ovoid.
* * * * *
PLATE 2.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, lower part of spike;
Fig. 3, apex of spike.
F.P.S.A., 1920.
[Illustration: _3._
K. A. Lansdell del.
ARCTOTIS DECURRENS, JACQ.]
PLATE 3.
ARCTOTIS FOSTERI.[A]
_Clanwilliam._
* * * * *
COMPOSITAE. Tribe ARCTOTIDEAE.
ARCTOTIS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 458.
* * * * *
=Arctotis Fosteri=, _N.E. Br._
ARCTOTUS _Fosteri_; _Herbacea_, 60-90 cm. alta. _Folia_ inferiora
lyrato-pinnatisecta, 30-40 cm. longa, 7-9 cm. lata, longe
petiolata, ambitu obovato-oblonga, lobis lateralibus utrinque 3-4,
oblongis subacutis dentatis, lobo terminali latissime ovato obtuso
grandidentato; folia superiora sessilia, lanceolata, acuta,
subintegra; omnia supra parce pubescentia, subtus albo-lanata.
_Pedunculi_ 17-19 cm. longi, striati, pubescentes. _Capitula_ 7-9
cm. diametro. _Involucri bracteae_ exteriores ovatae,
subulato-caudatae, virides; interiores oblongo-obovatae, obtusae,
apice membranaceae, rubescentes. _Radii flores_ acuti, albi vel
carnei, subtus purpurei, quisque basi maculo nigro et aurantiaco
instructi. _Disci flores_ nigro-brunnei, antheribus luteia. _Pappi
squamae_ lanceolatae, acutae vel subobtusae. _Ovarium_
villosum.--N. E. BROWN.
Cape Province: Clanwilliam Division, near Clanwilliam, _Foster_.
* * * * *
This handsome species of _Arctotis_ was raised in the Garden of the
Division of Botany, Pretoria, from seed received in 1916 from Mr. C.
Foster, of Clanwilliam, after whom I have much pleasure in naming it.
The large size of the flower head and the delicate colouring of the
rays make it worthy of a place in all South African Gardens. At Pretoria
it flowers freely and has set mature seed.
DESCRIPTION:--A herbaceous perennial 60-90 cm. high. _Leaves_ many,
lyrate; lower leaves 30-40 cm. long, 7-9 cm. broad, lanceolate in
outline, obtuse, produced at the base into a long petiole, sparsely
pubescent on the upper surface, white-woolly on the lower surface;
leaf-lobes about 4 cm. long, 1-5·2 cm. broad, oblong, obtuse, with
toothed margins; the terminal lobe much larger, otherwise similar;
petiole up to 16 cm. long, flat on the upper surface, convex beneath,
sparsely glandular-pilose; upper leaves sessile, lanceolate, acute,
sparsely pilose, with more or less entire margins. _Peduncles_ pale in
colour at the base, gradually becoming indian purple (R.C.S.) towards
the apex, 17-19 cm. long, terete, striate, pilose, the hairs becoming
reddish and denser towards the apex. _Capitulum_ solitary, 7-9 cm. in
diameter when fully expanded. _Involucral bracts_ many-seriate; the
outer green, ovate, with a hairy subulate appendage; the inner reddish
and membranous at the apex. _Receptacle_ slightly convex. _Ray-florets_
female. _Corolla_ limb white or shrimp-pink (R.C.S.) above, with a
golden-yellow and purple spot near the base, and eugenia red to vandyke
red (R.C.S.) beneath. _Pappus_ of several membranous scales as long as
the corolla-tube. _Ovary_ with a dense tuft of basal hairs.
_Disc-florets_ hermaphrodite. _Corolla-tube_ 4-5 mm. long, campanulate
above, cylindrical below; lobes lanceolate with black tips. _Pappus_ of
several membranous scales about half length of the corolla-tube. _Ovary_
villous, with a dense basal tuft of hairs. _Fruit_ villous, crowned with
the persistent pappus scales.--E. PERCY PHILLIPS.
* * * * *
PLATE 3.--Fig. 1, portion of ray-floret; Fig. 2, pappus-scale of
ray-floret; Fig. 3, disc-floret; Fig. 4, pappus-scale of
disc-floret; Fig. 5, apex of style showing the stigmas; Fig. 6,
fruit; Fig. 7, involucral-bracts (all enlarged).
F.P.S.A., 1920.
[Illustration: _4._
K. A. Lansdell del.
CYRTANTHUS ANGUSTIFOLIUS, AIT.]
PLATE 4.
CYRTANTHUS CONTRACTUS.[B]
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
CYRTANTHUS, _Ait._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii.
p. 729.
* * * * *
=Cyrtanthus contractus=, _N.E. Br._
CYRTANTHUS _contractus_; _Bulbus_ 4-6 cm. diametro, ovoideus,
brunneus. _Folia_ 2-3, adscendentia, 30-50 cm. longa, 8-12 mm.
lata, linearia, longe et acutissime acuminata, basi in petiolum
teretem angustata, glabra. _Pedunculus_ 18 cm. vel ultra longus, ad
1 cm. diametro, teres, fistularis, glaber, purpurascens, ad apicem
4-10-florus. _Bracteae_ 4·5-5 cm. longae, basi 8 mm. lati,
lineari-attenuatae, membranaceae. _Pedicelli_ adacendentes, 2-4 cm.
longi, rubri. _Perianthium_ nutante, coccineum; tubus 5-6 cm.
longus, ad medium leviter ventricosum et circa 8 mm. diametro, basi
longe et valde contractus et circa 1·5-2 mm. diametro; lobi 1·3 to
1·5 cm. longi, 7 mm. lati, elliptico-ovati, acuti. _Stamina_
perianthii lobis breviora; antherae luteae. _Ovarium_ 1 cm. longum,
ovoideum. _Stylus_ inclusus, stigmatibus recurvis. _Semina_
complanata, atrata.--N. E. BROWN.
Transvaal: on kopjes near Mooi Plaates farm, in the vicinity of
Pretoria, _Miss J. Stuart_.
* * * * *
The specimens from which our drawing was made were collected by Miss J.
Stuart of Pretoria, on the slopes of stony kopjes near the farm “Mooi
Plaates,” about 5 miles out of Pretoria. During the spring months the
plant is very conspicuous on the kopjes when it flowers freely, usually
after the grass has been burnt off, and from this it derives its common
name of “Fire Lily.”
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 4-6 cm. in diameter, ovoid; tunics brown,
membranous. _Leaves_ 2-3, contemporary with or appearing after the
flowers, 30-50 cm. long, 0·8-1·2 cm. broad, linear, acuminate, acute,
tapering to a terete petiole above the flattened base, glabrous.
_Peduncle_ vandyke red (R.C.S.), 18 cm. long, lengthening in the fruit,
10 mm. in diameter, terete, hollow, glabrous. _Spathe-valves_ 4·5-5 cm.
long, 8 mm. broad near the base, linear, acute, membranous, glabrous.
_Inflorescence_, a 4-10-flowered umbel. _Flowers_ pendulous, scarlet-red
to carmine (R.C.S.), faintly scented; pedicels 2-4 cm. long,
strawberry-pink (R.C.S.), jointed at the apex; perianth-tube 5-6 cm.
long, tubular, narrowed at the base, with an inflated portion about the
middle; lobes 1·3-1·5 cm. long, 7 mm. broad, ovate-ellipsoid, acute,
with a small tuft of white hairs on the inner surface just below the
apex. _Stamens_ inserted just below the throat, a little shorter than
the perianth-lobes; anthers chrome-yellow (R.C.S.), oblong. _Ovary_ 1
cm. long, 0·5 cm. in diameter, ovoid; style about the length of the
perianth-tube, included; stigmas recurved. _Seeds_ black, flattened.--E.
PERCY PHILLIPS.
* * * * *
PLATE 4.--Figs. 1 and 2, anthers back and side view; Fig. 3, apex
of the perianth, showing the tufts of hairs.
F.P.S.A., 1920.
[Illustration: _5._
K. A. Lansdell del.
GERBERA JAMESONI, BOLUS.]
PLATE 5.
GERBERA JAMESONI.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
COMPOSITAE. Tribe MUTISIACEAE.
GERBERA, _Gronov._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 497.
* * * * *
=Gerbera Jamesoni=, _Bolus_; _Gard. Chron._, 1889, vol. 5, p. 772. fig.
122; _Bot. Mag._ t. 7087.
* * * * *
This plant, the “Barberton Daisy,” has attracted much attention in
recent years as an addition to the herbaceous garden.
It was first discovered in the Transvaal by the collector Rehmann about
1878, and later by the Hon. R. Jameson on the mountains round Barberton.
In 1889 it flowered at Kew Gardens and was illustrated in the
_Gardener’s Chronicle_ for that year. Shortly afterwards a coloured
plate and description appeared in the _Botanical Magazine_ (t. 7087).
The specific name was proposed by the late Dr. Bolus, who himself
collected the species at Barberton.
A mass of these plants in full bloom is very striking, the scarlet rays
standing out in strong contrast to the green leaves.
The specimen from which the present illustration was made flowered at
the Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--_Rootstock_ perennial. _Leaves_ basal, numerous, 22-45 cm.
long, 5-10 cm. broad, somewhat oblong in general outline, deeply lobed,
with the terminal lobe broadly ovate, acute, pubescent on both surfaces,
especially on the veins beneath; petiole 25-40 cm. long, terete, pilose,
tinged with red at the base. _Peduncle_ 25-40 cm. long, terete, pilose,
bearing a solitary capitulum. _Capitulum_ 8-10 cm. in diameter when
fully expanded. _Involucral-bracts_ about 3-seriate, 1-1·5 cm. long,
lanceolate, acuminate, acute, woolly. _Receptacle_ flat, naked.
_Ray-florets_ female, scarlet to spectrum-red (R.C.S.); lower limb
represented by 2 linear strongly reflexed lobes. _Ovary_
glandular-pubescent. _Disc-florets_ hermaphrodite. _Corolla_ bilabiate;
tube 7 mm. long, cylindrical, glabrous; anterior limb of 2 linear
recurved lobes; posterior limb 3-toothed, spreading. _Ovary_ 6 mm. long,
cylindrical, glandular-pubescent; _stigma_ bifid.
* * * * *
PLATE 5.--Fig. 1, ray-floret; Fig. 2, disc-floret; Fig. 3, apex of
style, showing the two stigmas.
F.P.S.A., 1920.
[Illustration: _6._
K. A. Lansdell del.
GLADIOLUS PSITACCINUS, H.K., VAR. COOPERI, B. K. R.]
PLATE 6.
GLADIOLUS PSITTACINUS, var. COOPERI.
_Basutoland_ and _Transvaal_.
* * * * *
IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.
GLADIOLUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.
* * * * *
=Gladiolus psittacinus=, _Hook f._ var. =Cooperi=, _Bkr. Bot. Mag._ t. 6202;
_Fl. Cap._ vi. 158.
* * * * *
This striking species of _Gladiolus_ belongs to the section
_Dracocephali_ of the genus which contains some seven species all
characterised by having the upper segments hooded. It is a favourite
with cultivators, and has also been taken up by nurserymen who grow
blooms for sale. Like a great many of our beautiful native species, it
was left to Kew Gardens to bring the species to public notice.
Corms of this _Gladiolus_ were brought to England by Mr. Thomas Cooper,
who collected in South Africa for Mr. Wilson Saunders. It first flowered
at Kew in 1872, when it was described and figured.
The species is easy of cultivation, and flowers at Pretoria in November.
Apart from the interest it is to gardeners generally, it should be of
special interest to breeders, as there seems little doubt that some very
fine hybrids could be raised from this species.
DESCRIPTION:--A tall plant O·9-1·2 metres high. _Corm_ red, 2·5-6 cm. in
diameter, globose; tunics chartaceous, broad, ultimately breaking up
into fibres. _Leaves_ 6-8, 60-90 cm. long, 2-3 cm. broad, ensiform,
acute, slightly narrowed at the base, glabrous, rigid. _Inflorescence_ a
lax 5-10-flowered spike, 20 cm. or more long. _Spathe-valves_ 5-9 cm.
long, oblong-lanceolate, sub-acute, kildare-green (R.C.S.). _Flowers_
large, hooded, lemon-yellow (R.C.S.), striped with scarlet-red (R.C.S.).
_Perianth-tube_ curved, 5-6 cm. long, trumpet-shaped, glabrous; three
upper lobes forming a hood 2-2·5 cm. broad, ovate or obovate, acute,
with a distinct claw; the posterior lobe crimson without, lighter in
colour within, smaller than the other two upper lobes; the three lower
lobes smaller than the upper lobes and strongly reflexed; the anterior
lobe 3-4 cm. long, O·5-2 cm. broad, broadly-lanceolate, acute,
lemon-yellow (R.C.S.) in the lower half; the lateral lower lobes 2-2·5
cm. long, 0·4-0·5 cm. broad, lanceolate, acute. _Stamens_ inserted at
the base of the perianth-tube, shorter than the upper lobes, arcuate.
_Ovary_ ellipsoid; style slightly longer than the stamens, arcuate;
stigmas terete, pubescent on the stigmatic surface. _Capsule_ 2-2·5 cm.
long, ellipsoid. _Seeds_ discoid.
* * * * *
PLATE 6.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, apex of style,
showing the three stigmas; Figs. 3 and 4, back and side view of
stamens.
F.P.S.A., 1920.
[Illustration: _7._
K. A. Lansdell del.
LEUCADENDRON STOKOEI, PHILLIPS.]
[Illustration: _8._
K. A. Lansdell del.
LEUCADENDRON STOKOEI, PHILLIPS.]
PLATES 7 AND 8.
LEUCADENDRON STOKOEI.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE.
LEUCADENDRON, _R. Br._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p.
169.
* * * * *
=Leucadendron Stokoei=, Phillips sp. nov.
LEUCADENDRON _Stokoei_; _Rami_ et ramuli glabri. _Folia_ 7-8·5 cm.
longa, 1-2·1 cm. lata, oblonga vel oblongo-lanceolata, apice
obtusa, basi paullo angustata, glabra. _Inflorescentia_ ♂ 2 cm.
longa, 2·5 cm. lata; bractae involucri 1·1 cm. longae, apice
obtusae, glabrae viscidaeque, eximae reflexae; bractae floris 1 mm.
longae, lanceolatae, acuminatae, apice subacutae, basi villosae.
_Inflorescentia_ ♀ 2·5 cm. longa, 1·7 cm. lata; bractae involucri
reflexae; bractae floris 6 mm. longae, 1·1 cm. latae, apice
obtusae, sericeae. _Fructus_ 7 mm. longus, 6 mm. latus, obovatus,
anguste alatus.
Cape Province: Caledon Division, Standford, near Caledon, _Stokoe
in National Herbarium_.
* * * * *
The remarkable group of South African plants--the _Proteaceae_--still
continues to yield interesting novelties, though it was monographed as
recently as 1910. This is especially true of the genus _Leucadendron_,
on which much work remains to be done.
The specimens from which our illustration was made were collected by Mr.
T. P. Stokoe in the Klein River Mountains at Sinkerhausgat, near
Standford, in the Caledon Division. Mr. Stokoe has made some interesting
discoveries in this region, amongst which was this new _Leucadendron_
which he forwarded to the Division of Botany in September, 1918. It is
quite distinct from any other species of _Leucadendron_, inasmuch as the
male inflorescence is surrounded by large bracts giving it the
appearance of a _Protea_.
DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ and branchlets glabrous. _Leaves_ 7-8·5 cm.
long, 1-2·1 cm. broad, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, bluntly
mucronate, slightly narrowed at the base, glabrous, very finely
glandular when seen under a lens; leaves surrounding the inflorescence
longer. _Male inflorescence_ hidden by the upper leaves and quite
surrounded by brown bracts, shortly peduncled, 2 cm. long, 2·5 cm. in
diameter; the inner bracts 1·1 cm. long, oblong, obtuse, glabrous,
viscid, longer or as long as the inflorescence; the outer situated on
the short peduncle, viscid and reflexed; receptacle 7 mm. long, 8 mm.
broad, subglobose. _Floral bracts_ 1 mm. long, lanceolate, acuminate,
subacute, villous at the base. _Perianth_ 2 mm. long, glabrous. _Stigma_
clavate, much thicker than the style. _Female inflorescence_ hidden by
the upper leaves, very shortly stalked, 2·5 cm. long, 1·7 cm. broad, the
short peduncle bearing brown reflexed bracts; receptacle 1·6 cm. long, 3
mm. broad, cylindrical. _Floral bracts_ 6 mm. long, 1·1 cm. broad,
transversely oblong, villous above. _Fruiting head_ 3·5-4 cm. long, 3·5
cm. in diameter; scales 1·5 cm. long, 1·2 cm. broad, suborbicular,
slightly narrowed at the base, tomentose without, except near the apex.
_Fruits_ 7 mm. long, 6 mm. broad, obovate in outline, flat on one side,
convex on the other, honeycombed, with a narrow membranous wing.
* * * * *
PLATE 7.--Fig. 1, male inflorescence; Fig. 2, longitudinal section
of male inflorescence.
PLATE 8.--Fig. 1, young female inflorescence; Fig. 2, longitudinal
section of female inflorescence; Fig. 3, fruiting head; Fig. 4,
floral bract × 4; Fig. 5, fruit × 4.
F.P.S.A., 1920.
[Illustration: _9._
K. A. Lansdell del.
TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA PARV.]
PLATE 9.
TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA.
_Cape Province, Natal._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALLIEAE.
TULBAGHIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. 798.
* * * * *
=Tulbaghia violacea=, _Harv. Bot. Mag. t. 3555. Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. 407.
* * * * *
This beautiful little _Tulbaghia_ has a special interest attached to it,
inasmuch as it flowered in Baron von Ludwig’s garden at the Cape of Good
Hope, and was there illustrated and described by Harvey, who sent his
description and drawing to the _Botanical Magazine_ for publication. In
this respect it differs from most of the other Cape plants, which were
described and figured from specimens grown in Europe.
The present illustration was made from specimens cultivated at the
Botanic Gardens, Durban, Natal, from tubers presented by Mrs. Todd of
Pietermaritzburg. Notwithstanding the unpleasant odour of garlic, the
species is worth cultivation. It is commonly known as the “Wild Garlic.”
DESCRIPTION:--_Rootstock_ tuberous. _Leaves_ crowded; basal leaves
rudimentary and membranous; upper leaves 6-10, erect, 20-30 cm. long,
5-8 mm. broad, linear, acute, glabrous, concave on the upper surface,
rounded beneath. _Peduncles_ erect, 30-60 cm. long, terete.
_Inflorescence_ a 10-20-flowered umbel. _Spathe-valves_ 2-2·5 cm. long,
5 mm. broad at the base, ovate-linear, acuminate, acute, membranous.
_Pedicles_ 2·5-4 cm. long, terete. _Flowers_ pale ampare-purple to light
haryense-violet (R.C.S.). _Perianth-tube_ 1·1-1·5 cm. long, 4 mm. in
diameter, cylindrical, slightly inflated at the base; lobes 1-1·1 cm.
long, 3-5 mm. broad, elliptic or lanceolate, acute or obtuse.
_Corona-lobes_ 3, 1·5 mm. long, opposite the inner segments. _Stamens_
subsessile, in 2 whorls about halfway down the perianth-tube; anthers
sub-globose. _Ovary_ sessile, sub-globose; style 2 mm. long, thick;
stigma capitate.
* * * * *
PLATE 9.--Fig. 1, perianth laid open to show corona lobes and
stamens × 1½.
F.P.S.A., 1920.
[Illustration: _10._
K. A. Lansdell del.
RICHARDIA ANGUSTILOBA, SCHOTT.]
PLATE 10.
RICHARDIA ANGUSTILOBA.
_Transvaal, Basutoland._
* * * * *
AROIDEAE. Tribe PHILODENDREAE.
RICHARDIA, _Kunth._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 982.
* * * * *
=Richardia angustiloba=, _Schott in Journ. Bot._ 1865, 35; _Fl. Cap._ vii.
37.
* * * * *
The specimen figured was first mentioned in the _Gardener’s Chronicle_,
1892, as _Calla Pentlandii_, and two years later in the same publication
was again brought to notice as _Richardia Pentlandii_, under which name
it was described and figured in the _Botanical Magazine_. Mr. N. E.
Brown, who monographed the genus for the _Flora Capensis_, considers it
the same as _Richardia angustiloba_ which was described as early as
1865. It was introduced into cultivation by Mr. R. Whyte, Pentland
House, Lee, who raised flowers in 1892, and exhibited it at a meeting of
the Royal Horticultural Society and was awarded a first-class
certificate.
Specimens of the tubers were taken to Kew by Mr. E. E. Galpin in May,
1892.
Our present illustration was made from plants flowered by Mr. H. H.
Wickens, Officer in Charge of the Union Buildings Garden, Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--_Leaves_ dark green, unspotted; petiole 30-60 cm. long,
terete, glabrous; lamina 22-30 cm. long, 11 cm. broad at the widest
part, ovate, acute, and produced into a filiform appendage at the apex
1·2 cm. long, sagittate at the base, glabrous, with the midrib prominent
beneath and channelled above. _Peduncle_ over 1 metre high, longer than
the leaves, terete, glabrous. _Spathe_ gamboge-yellow, dark purple at
the base inside, 10-14 cm. long, 4-4·5 cm. broad across the middle, 7-10
cm. across the mouth, loosely convolute for two-thirds of its length,
then expanding into a broad, nearly horizontal limb produced into a
subulate tip 1·5 cm. long and with recurved margins. _Spadix_ yellow,
4·5 cm. long, cylindrical. _Ovaries_ with subsessile stigmas, pale
greenish-white. _Staminodia_ none; anthers yellow. _Calla Pentlandii_,
_Gard. Chron._ 1892, p. 124; _Richardia Pentlandii_, _Gard. Chron._
1894, p. 590; _Bot. Mag._ t. 7397.
* * * * *
PLATE 10.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, spathe removed to
show the spadix.
F.P.S.A., 1920.
[Illustration: _11._
K. A. Lansdell del.
FREESIA REFRACTA, KLATT.]
PLATE 11.
FREESIA SPARRMANNII _var._ FLAVA.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.
FREESIA, _Klatt_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 704.
* * * * *
=Freesia Sparrmannii=, _N.E. Br._ var. =flava=, _N.E. Br._
_Gladiolus_ Sparrmanni, _Thunb. in Kongl. Vet. Acad. Handlingar_, 1814,
p. 189, t. 9A, and _Fl. Cap. ed Schultes_, p. 49.
* * * * *
According to the _Flora Capensis_ the only species in the genus
_Freesia_ is _F. refracta_, Klatt, which is a native of the eastern
districts of Albany, Bathurst, etc., and is characterised by having
(among other characters) the slender lower part of the perianth-tube
shorter than the upper broader part and not more than twice as long as
the bracts. But there are at least three other species found in other
regions that distinctly differ in habit or in the tube of the flower or
in both. One of them collected by Burchell in Bechuanaland and at
present undescribed, has a very long tube. Another is a plant found in
the coast districts of Swellendam, Riversdale, Ladismith, etc., figured
and described by Thunberg under the name of _Gladiolus Sparrmanni_, upon
which I found the species _Freesia Sparrmannii_. The reference to this
figure is omitted by Schultes in his edition of Thunberg’s _Fl. Cap._,
and is not quoted by Baker, but it accurately agrees with the plant
Zeyher collected along the Buffeljagts River in Swellendam Division and
distributed under No. 4027. It conspicuously differs from _F. refracta_
by the very much longer slender part to the perianth tube, and although
Thunberg’s plant and that collected by Zeyher have purplish-tinted
flowers, I place the plant here figured as a yellow variety of it,
because I find that the late P. MacOwan, in a letter preserved at Kew,
gives the following particulars concerning this species, which he also
considers distinct from _F. refracta_. He writes: “All along the coast
from Cape Point towards Agulhas, notably near Mossel Bay, the other
_Freesia_ grows wild. I have never seen it in my Eastern Province
peregrinations.... Its colour varies very much, from pale golden
daffodil tint to pure white, and is either with or without purplish
stains on the outside of the perianth-segments. Here, at the Hort.
C.B.S., we paid much attention to this lovely bulb, grew it year after
year, roguing out all the yellow and purple-stained individuals and
sowing the whitest. This is the ‘_Freesia refracta alba_’ of gardens.”
This note gives the origin of _F. refracta_ var. _alba_, Baker, _Handb.
Irid._ p. 167, which should now be called _F. Sparrmannii_ var. _alba_,
for it certainly is not the same as the true _F. refracta_, and
Thunberg’s original name must be upheld.
The plant here figured is doubtless the pale golden form mentioned by
MacOwan, and it differs from the yellow-flowered _F. xanthospila_ by the
very long slender part of its perianth-tube.--N. E. BROWN.
Our illustration was made from specimens grown in the Gardens of the
Division of Botany from bulbs presented by Mr. J. Shand, of Ladismith,
Cape Province.
DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ about 4 cm. long, 3 cm. in diameter, produced into
a short neck and densely covered with fibres. _Leaves_ basal, 6-8 cm.
long, ·5-1 cm. broad, acute, somewhat sheathing at the base, glabrous.
_Peduncle_ 9·5 cm. long, with the upper portion bent at a right angle.
_Spathe-valves_ 1 cm. long, ovate, subacuminate, acute, membranous in
the upper portion. _Perianth-tube_ 5·2 cm. long, 1·2 cm. in diameter
above, campanulate in the upper portion and becoming slenderly tubular
in the lower half, yellow; lobes 1·2 cm. long, 1 cm. broad,
ovate-oblong, or subrotund, rounded above, yellow. _Style_ 5-6 cm. long,
filiform, 6-lobed; lobes 5 mm. long, linear, somewhat spathulate at the
apex.--E. PERCY PHILLIPS.
* * * * *
PLATE 11.--Fig. 1, anther; Fig. 2, style arms.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _12._
K. A. Lansdell del.
CRASSULA FALCATA, WILLD.]
PLATE 12.
CRASSULA FALCATA.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
CRASSULACEAE.
CRASSULA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 657.
* * * * *
=Crassula falcata=, _Wendland, Bot. Beobachtungen_, p. 44 (1798), _Willd.
Enum._ p. 341 (1809); _Fl. Cap._ vol. ii. p. 338.
* * * * *
Among rock plants there are few which equal this fine _Crassula_ for
brilliant colouring. It is easy to propagate and flowers freely. The
species is common in the Eastern Province, and is found in flower during
the month of June. The specimen from which our illustration is made was
collected by Mr. P. J. Pienaar at Grahamstown and flowered in the
Gardens of the Division of Botany.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ succulent, 30-55 cm. high, simple. _Leaves_ connate
at the base, fleshy, 6-9 cm. long, 1·5-2·5 cm. broad, decreasing in size
upwards, obliquely falcate, obtuse, glaucous. _Peduncle_ reddish in
colour. _Inflorescence_ a dense trichotomous cyme. _Calyx-lobes_ 3 mm.
long, ovate or oblong, obtuse, canescent. _Petals_ 1 cm. long, connate
at the base; lobes linear-lanceolate, subobtuse. _Stamens_ nearly as
long as the petals. _Styles_ 5, subulate. _Squamae_ minute.
* * * * *
PLATE 12.--Fig. 1, carpels and squamae × 5.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _13._
K.A. Lansdell del.
CLIVIA MINIATA. HEGEL.]
PLATE 13.
CLIVIA MINIATA.
_Natal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
CLIVIA, _Lindl._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 729.
* * * * *
=Clivia miniata=, _Regel, Gartenflora_♀, 1864, p. 131, t. 434; _Fl. Cap._
vol. vi. p. 229.
_Imantophyllum_ (?) _miniatum, Hook. Bot. Mag._ t. 4783.
* * * * *
This species, indigenous to Natal, represents only one of many of our
native plants, which have been brought to the notice of horticulturists
by English Nurserymen. A living plant was exhibited at a meeting of the
Horticultural Society in February 1854 by Messrs. Backhouse, who
imported the plant from Natal. The specimen from which our illustration
was made was collected by Miss K. A. Lansdell at Ifafa on the South
Coast of Natal. The species is a shade lover, and is usually found
flowering in the shelter of rocks and trees. The size and number of the
flowers have been much improved by cultivation, and several hybrids have
been raised from the species. The flowers may vary in colour from a red
to a yellowish-red.
DESCRIPTION:--_Rootstock_ a fleshy rhizome, 1·5-2 cm. in diameter, with
numerous fleshy cylindrical roots. _Leaves_ many, 40-50 cm. long, 5-6·5
cm. broad, strap-shaped, acute, slightly narrowed at the base, the leaf
bases forming a distinct swelling just above the rhizome, glabrous,
bright green. _Peduncles_ shorter than the leaves, compressed, sharply
2-edged. _Inflorescence_ a 12-20-flowered umbel. _Spathe-valves_ 4 cm.
long, 7-8 mm. broad, ovate-oblong, membranous. _Floral bracts_ 2·5 cm.
long, linear. _Flowers_ erect. _Perianth_ divided almost to the base;
tube about 5 mm. long; segments 5-7 cm. long; the inner 1·1 om. and the
outer 1·8-2·1 cm. broad at the widest part, oblanceolate; the inner
emarginate; the outer minutely thickened at the apex; all obtuse,
gradually narrowed to a claw; bright red, with white margins at the
lower half. _Stamens_ included; filaments compressed; anthers linear,
versatile. _Ovary_ 5-6 mm. long; ellipsoid, bluntly 3-angled; style
slender, as long as the perianth; stigma trifid, sometimes bifid.
_Fruit_ a bright red berry, globose, 1·5 cm. in diameter. _Seeds_ 1 or
few, subglobose.
* * * * *
PLATE 13.--Fig. 1, section of peduncle; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3,
transverse section of ovary; Fig. 4, style and stigmas; Fig. 5,
fruit.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _14._
K. A. Lansdell del.
GARDENIA GLOBOSA, THUNB.]
PLATE 14.
GARDENIA GLOBOSA.
_Cape Province, Natal._
* * * * *
RUBIACEAE. Tribe GARDENIEAE.
GARDENIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 89.
* * * * *
=Gardenia globosa=, _Hochst. in Flora_, 1842, p. 237; _Bot. Mag._ t.
4791; _Harv. Thes. Cap._ p. 4, t. 5; _Fl. Cap._ vol. iii. p. 5;
_Wood, Natal Plants_, vol. iv. t. 376.
* * * * *
This handsome plant is a shrub or sometimes becomes a small tree, and is
without doubt one of our finest native flowering shrubs. It is common in
Natal, where it flowers in early spring and summer. The large fragrant
bell-shaped flowers are produced in great profusion and give to the
plant a very striking appearance. The species has been known to European
cultivation for over sixty years, but is usually grown in the
greenhouse. It is frequently seen in gardens in Durban, Natal, and
specimens have been grown in Queens Park, East London, but the plant has
not received the attention from South African horticulturists which it
deserves.
Our illustration was made from specimens collected by Miss K. A.
Lansdell in the Stella bush near Durban, Natal. The native name is
“Isi-Qoba.”
DESCRIPTION:--A _shrub_ or small tree. _Branches_ with dark-coloured
bark, glabrous. _Leaves_ opposite; petioles 3-5 mm. long; blade 5-15 cm.
long, 2-3·5 cm. broad, lanceolate or sometimes oblanceolate, obtuse or
acute, gradually tapering to the base, entire, with a prominent reddish
mid-rib beneath, glabrous; stipules about one-third of the length of the
petiole, ovate, acuminate, minutely pubescent, soon deciduous. _Flowers_
terminal, axillary or clustered. _Pedicels_ 1-2 mm. long, minutely
pubescent. _Calyx_ 3-4 mm. long, minutely pubescent and glandular
without, silky within; tube campanulate; lobes acute. _Corolla_ white,
usually with 5 faint pink lines within, which may become darker near the
base and broader on the lobes, sometimes spotted; tube 2-5 cm. long, 1-8
cm. in diameter above, campanulate, suddenly constricted and narrowed
above the calyx, minutely pubescent without, densely tomentose within;
lobes spreading, half as long as the tube. _Anthers_ linear. _Ovary_
1-celled, with numerous ovules; stigmas white or pink. _Fruit_ a brown
berry, crowned with the persistent calyx-lobes, many seeded. _Seeds_
minute, immersed in the fleshy parietal placentas.
PLATE 14.--Fig. 1, style arms; Fig. 2, fruit.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _15._
K. A. Lansdell del.
RICHARDIA REHMANNI. ENGL.]
PLATE 15.
RICHARDIA REHMANNI.
_Natal, Transvaal, Swaziland._
* * * * *
AROIDEAE. Tribe PHILODENDREAE.
RICHARDIA, _Kunth_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 982.
* * * * *
=Richardia Rehmanni=, _N.E. Br. in Gard. Chron._ 1888, vol. iv. p. 570;
_Bot. Mag._ t. 7436; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vii. p. 36; _Wood, Natal Plants_,
vol. vi. t. 512.
* * * * *
This species was first collected by the traveller Rehmann and described
by Engler in 1883 as _Zantedeschia Rehmanni_. Among English
horticulturists the plant attracted a lot of attention, and was several
times referred to in the _Gardener’s Chronicle_. The chief attraction to
cultivators is the deep red colour of the spathes, but when grown in
English gardens and also in its native climate, the colour varies
considerably. Dr. Medley Wood notes that at the Natal Herbarium, Durban,
the original deep red colour returned to the plants after being
cultivated fifteen years. This loss of colour, however, does not appear
to be constant among plants which flowered for the first time at the
Division of Botany Gardens, Pretoria, from tubers which were sent by S.
G. Marwick, Esq., Assistant Commissioner, Hlatikulu, Swaziland. In these
the colour ranged from pale pink to deep red. After fertilization,
however, and during the formation of the fruits the colour gradually
fades from the spathes and they become green. The species was introduced
into England by Mr. R. W. Adlam of Natal, who sent tubers to the
Cambridge Botanic Gardens. The leaves vary from a uniform green to green
with white markings, or green with darker green markings.
Our illustration was made from specimens cultivated at the Natal
Herbarium, Durban, Natal.
DESCRIPTION:--_Plant_ about 0·5 metre high. _Leaves_ 3-5, the lower
reduced to mere sheaths; petiole 15-30 cm. long, deeply channelled down
the face, rounded on the back, stem-clasping at the base; blade 40-60
cm. long, 6-8 cm. broad, lanceolate, acute, with a subulate point,
narrowed at the base into the petiole, entire, with undulating margins,
and the mid-rib prominent beneath, dark green, sometimes with white,
sometimes with green markings, shining. _Peduncle_ shorter than the
leaves, terete, glabrous, olive-green. _Spathe_ 10-15 cm. long, with a
tube 4-5 cm. long and 1·8-2 cm. in diameter, with an ovate acuminate
limb, varying in colour from almost white to a deep rose or aster purple
(R.C.S.) in the upper portion, greenish-yellow below, without a dark
blotch round the base of the spadix. _Spadix_ stout, with male flowers
on the upper half and female flowers on the lower half. _Ovary_
glabrous; stigma sessile. _Fruit_ a berry. _Seeds_ subglobose.
* * * * *
PLATE 15.--Fig. 1, plant, reduced; Fig. 2, spadix; Fig. 3, ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _16._
K. A. Lansdell del.
ADENIUM MULTIFLORUM, KLOTZ.]
PLATE 16.
ADENIUM MULTIFLORUM.
_Transvaal, Zululand, Portuguese East Africa._
* * * * *
APOCYNACEAE. Tribe ECHITIDEAE.
ADENIUM, _R. & S._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. 2, p. 722.
* * * * *
=Adenium multiflorum=, _Klotzch in Peters, Reise Mossamb. Bot._ p. 279, t.
xliv., _Fl. Cap._ vol. 4, sect. 1, p. 514.
* * * * *
The specimen from which our illustration was made is growing in the
Gardens of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, and was presented by Mr. A.
E. Antrobus, Cloud’s End, Louis Trichard, in the Zoutpansberg District.
The flowers appeared in September before the leaves, which only made
their appearance the following month. The species does very well on a
rockery, and when it flowers is a very pleasing sight.
DESCRIPTION:--A plant with a very large tuber just below the
ground-level and from which the branches spring. _Branches_ more or less
succulent, glabrous. _Leaves_ appearing after the flowers, sub-sessile,
3·5-9 cm. long, 1·5-6·5 cm. broad, obovate, obtuse, narrowed to the
base, dark green and very shiny above, pale green and dull beneath, with
the mid-rib and lateral veins distinct above, the mid-rib alone
prominent beneath. _Inflorescence_ cymose, up to 5-flowered, terminal.
_Sepals_ lanceolate, pilose. _Corolla-tube_ about 3 cm. long, 1·2 cm.
broad above, tubular below, pilose without and within on the broadened
portion; lobes, 1·7-2·5 cm. long, about 1 cm. broad, elliptic-oblong, or
obovate, shortly acuminate, acute, with crinkled edges, usually sparsely
pubescent on the upper portion, pink, with dark red margins. _Anthers_
densely villous.
* * * * *
PLATE 16.--Fig. 1, plant, reduced; Fig. 2, leaf; Fig. 3, calyx;
Fig. 4, stamen; Fig. 5, pistil.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _17._
K. A. Lansdell del.
ALOE PIENAARII, POLE EVANS.]
PLATE 17.
ALOE PIENAARII.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.
ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.
* * * * *
=Aloe Pienaarii=, _Pole Evans in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr._ vol. v. p. 27,
t. vi. vii.
* * * * *
This species was first collected by Mr. P. J. Pienaar at Smit’s Drift,
near Pietersburg, in January 1914, where it is very common on and around
the isolated granite kopjes, though it also occurs in the open flat
country. A number of plants were obtained for the gardens of the Union
Buildings at Pretoria, where they have been established, and specimens
are also growing in the Aloe collection at the Division of Botany
Gardens, Pretoria. The species flowers from May to July.
DESCRIPTION:--_Herb_, succulent, stemless. _Leaves_ 35-60 in
a dense rosette, 60-80 cm. long, 12-15 cm. broad at the base,
lanceolate-ensiform, acute, reddish-green or blueish, beset along the
margins with small chestnut-coloured (R.C.S.) deltoid thorns 2 mm. long
and 5-7 mm. apart. _Inflorescence_ 2-3 from the same rosette, copiously
panicled, erect, 1·25-1·65 metres high, with about 8 arcuate-erect
branches subtended at the base with deltoid-acuminate bracts; racemes
densely flowered, 25-35 cm. long, cylindrical-conical. _Bracts_ at first
densely imbricated, afterwards embracing the pedicels, 20 mm. long, 11
mm. broad, broadly ovate-acuminate, acute, many-nerved. _Pedicels_
erect, spreading, 15-20 mm. long, greenish-scarlet. _Perianth_ 35-38 mm.
long, somewhat 3-angled and cylindrical, at first scarlet, greenish at
the tips, becoming citron-yellow (R.C.S.) when open; outer segments
shorter than the inner, free, acute; inner slightly recurved at the apex
and more obtuse, and the lateral ones becoming compressed towards the
apex so as to close the mouth of the tube. _Stamens_ just exserted;
filaments bright chalcedony-yellow (R.C.S.); anthers grenadine-red
(R.C.S.). _Capsule_ enclosed within the dry perianth, 20 mm. long,
cylindrical-trigonous, woody. _Seeds_ 4-5 mm. long, irregular, narrowly
winged.
* * * * *
PLATE 17.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3,
stamen; Fig. 4, capsule.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _18._
K. A. Lansdell del.
ALOE PRETORIENSIS, POLE EVANS.]
PLATE 18.
ALOE PRETORIENSIS.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINAE.
ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f._ vol. iii. p. 776.
* * * * *
=Aloe pretoriensis=, _Pole Evans in Trans. S. Afr. Roy. Soc._ vol. v. p.
32, t. xii. xiii.
* * * * *
This handsome _Aloe_ occurs on the northern slopes of the hills around
Pretoria, and is especially abundant on Meintjes’ Kop. It is also found
near Lydenburg, at Barberton, the Premier Mine, and along the foot of
the Lebombo range of mountains. The flowers usually appear in May, and
when in flower the plants attract large numbers of brightly coloured
sun-birds. The tall branched inflorescence forms the most striking
feature of the plant, and when one compares it with that of _Aloe
lineata_, which is unbranched and differs in many other important
respects, it seems almost incredible that _A. pretoriensis_ should have
been mistaken by so many botanists for _A. lineata_ as has been done.