cm. in diameter. _Leaves_ numerous, 30-60 in a dense rosette,
arcuate-erect, 30-65 cm. long, 3-7 cm. broad at the base, 8-10 mm.
thick, lanceolate, acuminate, acute, flat on the upper surface and
slightly canaliculate towards the tip, convex beneath, light green or
slightly glaucous, with the margins armed with red sharply pointed horny
prickles 3-4 mm. long and 10-17 mm. apart, and in old leaves the tips
withered and reddish in colour. _Inflorescence_ a lax panicle 2-3·5
metres high. _Peduncle_ stout with 2-8 ascending branches, subtended by
deltoid-ovate bracts at the base; racemes dense, 15-50 cm. long,
conical-cylindric. _Bracts_ at first densely imbricate, 15-20 mm. long,
10-12 mm. broad, ovate-deltoid, many veined. _Pedicels_ 20-25 mm. long,
lengthening and becoming erect in the fruit. _Perianth_ pendulous, 40-43
mm. long, cylindrical, slightly swollen towards the middle and tapering
upwards, peach-red (R.C.S.), with yellowish-green tips. _Stamens_
shortly exserted; filaments greenish-yellow; anthers reddish-brown.
_Style_ shortly exserted. _Capsule_ greyish, enwrapped in the dry
perianth, 15-18 mm. long, about 6 mm. in diameter, cylindrical,
3-angled. _Seeds_ dark, 2-5 mm. long, very narrowly 3-winged.
* * * * *
PLATE 18.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, part of a leaf,
natural size; Fig. 3, bract.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _19._
K. A. Lansdell del.
CLERODENDRON TRIPHYLLUM, H.H.W. PEARSON.]
PLATE 19.
CLERODENDRON TRIPHYLLUM.
_Transvaal, Orange Free State, Natal, Zululand._
* * * * *
VERBENACEAE. Tribe VITICEAE.
CLERODENDRON, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p.
1155; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. 1, p. 220.
* * * * *
=Cyclonema triphyllum=, _Harv. Thes. Cap._ vol. i. p. 17, t. 27.
* * * * *
One of the charming spring plants found on the High Veld of the
Transvaal and especially abundant after early winter veld fires. The
corolla is of the same deep blue seen in many species of _Lobelia_, and
the colour of the flowers makes the plant a conspicuous object in the
veld. Our illustration was made from specimens collected by Dr. I. B.
Pole Evans at Kaalfontein, between Pretoria and Germiston.
DESCRIPTION:--A low undershrub 12-60 cm. high. _Stems_ erect from an
underground woody rootstock, angular, striate, usually puberulous at the
nodes, glabrous when mature. _Leaves_ in whorls of 3 or 4, or opposite,
sessile, 1·3-6 cm. long, 2-1·3 cm. broad, lanceolate or occasionally
linear, acute or subacute, narrowed at the base, entire, glabrous,
gland-dotted beneath. _Inflorescence_ a 1-3-flowered pedunculate
axillary cyme. _Peduncles_ up to 2·6 cm. long, with 2 opposite
lanceolate bracts near the summit. _Flowers_ pedicellate. _Calyx_ 3-7·5
mm. long, campanulate, 5-lobed, 5-ribbed, glabrous, with a tube
equalling or slightly exceeding the ovate acute segments. _Corolla_ deep
chicory-blue to royal purple (R.C.S.); tube 3-7·5 mm. long, bent,
villous or glabrous at the throat; 4 upper lobes unequal, obliquely
obovate or elliptic, obtuse; lower lobes obovate or oblong, exceeding
the upper. _Stamens_ glabrous. _Fruit_ a 1-2-seeded drupe, 1-1·8 cm.
long, 9-1·3 cm. in diameter, ovoid, smooth.
* * * * *
PLATE 19.--Fig. 1, fruit.
[Illustration: _20._
K. A. Lansdell del.
GLADIOLUS REHMANNI, BKR.]
PLATE 20.
GLADIOLUS REHMANNI.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.
GLADIOLUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. 709.
* * * * *
=Gladiolus Rehmanni=, _Baker_; _Handb. Irid._ p. 216; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi.
p. 153.
* * * * *
This species of Gladiolus is here figured for the first time. Rehmann
collected it between the Elands River and Klippan, and it was then lost
sight of until rediscovered by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans at Nylstroom,
Waterberg District, in February, 1917, and has now been established in
the Gardens of the Division of Botany, Pretoria. We are indebted to Mrs.
Frank Bolus for identification.
DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ small, 2 cm. in diameter, subglobose, with light
brown membranous tunics. _Leaves_ 4-6, basal, 30-60 cm. long, 1·2 cm.
broad, linear, glabrous, rigid, with prominent ribs. _Peduncle_,
including the inflorescence, 60-65 cm. long. _Spike_ 20-25 cm. long,
lax. _Outer spathe-valve_ 7-9 cm. long, oblong-lanceolate, at first
bright green, then turning to dark slate-violet (R.C.S.). _Perianth_
white to pale mauve (not red as stated in the _Flora Capensis_); tube
curved, 2-2·5 cm. long, funnel-shaped in the upper half; lobes 4-4·5 cm.
long, the 3 upper 2-2·3 cm. broad, obovate-spathulate; the 3 lower 1·8
cm. broad, oblong, with yellow-green markings at the throat. _Filaments_
arcuate; anthers purple. _Style_ filiform, with 3 cuneate stigmas.
* * * * *
PLATE 20.--Fig. 1, bulb and leaves, reduced; Fig. 2, outer
spathe-valve; Fig. 3, stamens, front and side view; Fig. 4, apex of
style with stigmas.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _21._
K. A. Lansdell del.
PACHYPODIUM SUCCULENTUM.]
PLATE 21.
PACHYPODIUM SUCCULENTUM.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
APOCYNACEAE. Tribe ECHITIDEAE.
PACHYPODIUM, _Lindl._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 722.
* * * * *
=Pachypodium succulentum=, _DC., Prodr._ vol. viii. p. 424; _Fl.
Cap._ vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 517.
_Pachypodium tuberosum, Lindl., Bot. Reg._ t. 1321.
* * * * *
The species of Pachypodium figured in our illustration was first
described by the famous traveller, Carl Thunberg, in the year 1794.
Thunberg gathered his plants, on which he based his description, between
the Gouritz and Sundays River. The name he gave to the species was
_Echites succulenta_. Robert Brown, in 1909, surmised that the plant
placed by Thunberg in the genus Echites would most likely constitute a
distinct genus, and in 1830 Lindley confirmed this, and founded the
genus _Pachypodium_ upon, and gave an excellent figure of, this species
of _Pachypodium_ in the _Botanical Register_, at t. 1321, but gave it a
new specific name, which is omitted from the _Flora Capensis_.
Our present illustration was made from specimens growing on the
rockeries of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, which were presented by
Mr. Silvesta of Port Elizabeth.
DESCRIPTION:--Plants with a very large tuberous stem, partly above
ground, with several semi-succulent branches arising from the upper
portion of the tuber. _Branches_ with a waxy covering, glabrous or
finely hairy when young. _Leaves_ in fascicles, 1-4 cm. long, 2-6 mm.
broad, linear or linear-lanceolate, obtuse, with recurved margins, green
and pubescent above, paler and tomentose below. _Spines_ arising in
groups of 2-3 from an evident cushion, the two lateral spines longer and
spreading, the medium spine shorter and erect, sometimes absent.
_Flowers_ terminal. _Calyx_ campanulate; lobes narrowly lanceolate,
acute, densely pubescent. _Corolla_ twisted in bud; 1-1·5 cm. long,
cylindric, pubescent; lobes 1·5 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, obovate,
narrowed into a distinct claw, pale pink with dark-red markings. Fruit
6-8 cm. long, spindle-shaped, pubenulous.
* * * * *
PLATE 21.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, calyx; Fig. 3,
stamen; Fig. 4, style and stigma.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _22._
K. A. Lansdell del.
PROTEA ABYSSINICA.]
PLATE 22.
PROTEA ABYSSINICA.
_Transvaal, Rhodesia._
* * * * *
PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE.
PROTEA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 169.
* * * * *
=Protea abyssinica=, _Willd. Sp. Pl._ vol. i. p. 522; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v.
sect. 1, p. 581.
* * * * *
The Protea illustrated here is a very common species on the hillsides in
the neighbourhood of Pretoria. It sometimes attains a height of 15 feet,
is much branched, and has no distinct trunk. We have no record of the
species occurring further south, but it certainly extends into Rhodesia,
and perhaps--though we have some doubt on this point--into Abyssinia.
The species was first described by the botanist Willdenow, under the
present specific name in 1797, and he based his description on a figure
which appeared in Bruce’s _Travels to discover the Source of the Nile_,
which was published in 1790. The point as to whether the Transvaal plant
is the same species as that figured by Bruce needs further
investigation.
The specimens from which the figure was made were collected by Miss I.
C. Verdoorn at Waterkloof, near Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ glabrous. _Leaves_ 7-15·5 cm. long, ·8-2·2 cm.
broad, narrowly oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate, subacute or obtuse,
narrowing to the base, coriaceous, glabrous. _Inflorescence_, 6·3 cm.
long, and about 6·3 cm. in diameter when expanded, narrowed into a short
scaly stipe. _Involucral-bracts_ 11-seriate, silky; the inner oblong,
concave, shorter than the flowers. _Perianth_ with three small teeth at
the apex, densely hairy. _Ovary_ covered with a dense tuft of long
hairs; style 4·5 cm. long, more or less curved; stigma slightly bent at
the junction with the style.
* * * * *
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _23._
K. A. Lansdell del.
BOLUSANTHUS SPECIOSUS, HARMS.]
PLATE 23.
BOLUSANTHUS SPECIOSUS.
_Transvaal, Rhodesia, Portuguese East Africa._
* * * * *
LEGUMINOSAE. Tribe SOPHOREAE.
BOLUSANTHUS, _Harms in Fedde Repert. Nov. Sp._ vol. ii. p. 14 (1906).
* * * * *
=Bolusanthus speciosus=, _Harms. l.c._
_Lonchocarpus speciosus_, _Bolus in Journ. Linn. Soc._ vol. xxv. p. 161
(1889).
* * * * *
This remarkable and handsome leguminous plant was collected by the late
Dr. Bolus near the Komati River Drift in 1886, and described by him as
_Lonchocarpus speciosus_. Dr. Harms of Berlin, when examining a
collection of Rhodesian plants, came across the same species on which he
founded the genus _Bolusanthus_. The free stamens would indicate that it
is not a species of _Lonchocarpus_.
Our illustration was made from material collected by Dr. Pole Evans at
Chunies Poort, Transvaal, in October, 1919. The tree, which frequently
reaches a height of 30-40 feet, is locally known as “Van Wyk’s Hout,” or
“Wild Wisteria.” It is frequent along the northern foothills of the
Zoutpansberg range of mountains and in the low veld bush country along
the Selati River. When in full bloom it is one of the most beautiful
sights seen in the veld, and is a species which should certainly be
introduced into cultivation.
DESCRIPTION:--Tree up to 30-40 ft. high. _Branchlets_ pubescent.
_Leaves_ 10-27 cm. long; leaflets petiolate; petiole 5 mm. long; leaflet
2·5-7·5 cm. long, ·5-2·5 cm. broad, ovate-elliptic or lanceolate, very
often sub-falcate, long-acuminate, acute, oblique at the base, villous
when young, becoming pubescent with age. _Inflorescence_ a raceme 14-20
cm. long; rachis pubescent. _Pedicels_ up to 2 cm. long, pubescent.
_Calyx_ 7 mm. long, densely tomentose. _Corolla_ dark blue; vexillum 1·5
cm. long, about 1·3 cm. broad, obovate; alae 1·3 cm. long, carina as
long as the alae. _Stamens_ free. _Ovary_ linear, densely pubescent.
_Fruit_ up to 7 cm. long, 1-1·2 cm. broad, linear-oblong.
* * * * *
PLATE 23.--Fig. 1, branch with flowers; Fig. 2, leaf; Fig. 3,
legumes; Fig. 4, calyx; Fig. 5, vexillum; Fig. 6, alae; Fig. 7,
carina; Fig. 8, ovary.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _24._
K. A. Lansdell del.
ACOKANTHERA SPECTABILIS, HOOK. F.]
PLATE 24.
ACOKANTHERA SPECTABILIS.
_Cape Province, Natal._
* * * * *
APOCYNACEAE. Tribe CARISSEAE.
ACOKANTHERA, _G. Don._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p.
696.
* * * * *
=Acokanthera spectabilis=, _Hook. f. Bot. Mag._ t. 6359; _Fl. Cap._ vol.
4, sect. 1, p. 501.
* * * * *
The above figure in the _Botanical Magazine_ was published in 1878, and
together with the description which accompanied it was the first
recognition that the so-called “Gift Boom” of the Eastern Province
consisted of two distinct species. The plant from which the figure in
the _Botanical Magazine_ was made, flowered at Kew Gardens in 1878. Mr.
T. R. Sim states that he cannot distinguish _A. spectabilis_, Hook. from
_A. venenata_, G. Don., but regards it as an eastern coastal form. The
plant is reputed to be extremely poisonous, and as the fruits are so
attractive-looking, it makes the species also a dangerous one. In habit
our plant is an evergreen shrub which lends itself to cultivation in the
shrubbery; the flowers are very fragrant, and even in fruit the shrub
does not lose its beauty, as the dark purple fruits show up
conspicuously against the green leaves. The specimen figured here was
presented by Mr. J. W. Wickens from the Garden of the Union Buildings,
Pretoria.
DESCRIPTION:--Shrub 4-10 ft. high. _Branches_ glabrous. _Leaves_ shortly
petioled; petioles 6 mm. long; lamina 7-10 cm. long, 2·2-4 cm. broad,
elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, shortly acuminate, acute, narrowed at
the base, glabrous, with the mid-rib distinct below and sunken above.
_Flowers_ in many-flowered clusters. _Calyx_ 5-lobed almost to the base,
pubescent. _Corolla-tube_ 2 cm. long, narrowly cylindric, pubescent
outside, hairy within at the throat; lobes 4 mm. long, 3 mm. broad,
elliptic, rounded at the apex. Anthers ovate in outline, with a few
hairs at the apex. Style 1·4 mm. long, cylindric; stigma subglobose,
with a few hairs at the apex.
[_A. spectabilis_ is very easily distinguished from _A. venenata_ by its
longer petioles, usually larger size, and less elliptic shape and
different venation of its leaves, the veins (at least in the dried
state) being far less prominent and less ascending than they are in _A.
venenata_, and the flowers are much larger, the corolla-tube of _A.
spectabilis_ being 14-20 mm. long, whilst those of _A. venenata_ are
only 8-12 mm. long. Dried specimens show no intermediates.--N. E.
BROWN.]
* * * * *
PLATE 24.--Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, corolla in section; Fig. 3,
stamen; Fig. 4, stigma.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _25._
K. A. Lansdell del.
CYRTANTHUS SANGUINEUS, HOOK.]
PLATE 25.
CYRTANTHUS SANGUINEUS.
_Cape Province, Transkei, Natal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
CYRTANTHUS, _Ait._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 729.
* * * * *
=Cyrtanthus sanguineus=, _Hook. in Bot. Mag._ t. 5218; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi.
p. 227.
* * * * *
This species was imported into England from Kaffraria by Messrs.
Backhouse, and presented by them to the Horticultural Society of London
in 1846. Two years later, in the _Journal_ of the Society, Dr. Lindley
described the plant, and the description was accompanied by a woodcut.
In 1860 a plant flowered in the greenhouse at Kew, and was figured and
described in the _Botanical Magazine_, t. 5218, by Hooker. The specimens
from which the present illustration was made were gathered by Miss K. A.
Lansdell at Krantzkloof, Natal. The plant is known as the “Kei Lily.”
DESCRIPTION:--Bulb about 4·5 cm. long, ovoid, produced into a distinct
neck, with parchment-like scales. Leaves 1-4, contemporary with the
flowers, 22-30 cm. long, ·5-2 cm. broad, linear, obtuse, narrowed more
or less suddenly in the lowermost third to form a petiole, glabrous.
_Peduncle_ 12-26 cm. long, bearing 1-2 flowers. _Spathes_ two, 4-6·5 cm.
long, tapering into a long appendage from a broadened base. _Pedicels_
up to 2 cm. long, glabrous. _Perianth-tube_ 4-6 cm. long, campanulate in
the upper half, cylindric in the lower half; lobes 4 cm. long, 1·8 cm.
broad, ovate, acuminate, acute, with the apices of the outer lobes
inflexed and forming a small hood. _Stigmas_ with minute papillae on
their inner faces.
* * * * *
PLATE 25.--Fig. 1, portion of apex of perianth-lobe; Fig. 2, upper
portion of style showing stigmas.
F.S.P.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _26._
K. A. Lansdell del.
STAPELIA GETTLEFFII, POTT.]
PLATE 26.
STAPELIA GETTLEFFII.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe STAPELIEAE.
STAPELIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 784.
* * * * *
=Stapelia Gettleffii=, _Pott in Ann. Transvaal Mus._ vol. iii. p. 226, t.
13 (1913).
* * * * *
Lovers of our South African succulents will welcome this plate of a new
Transvaal _Stapelia_, discovered by Mr. G. F. Gettleffi at Louis
Trichardt in the Zoutpansberg District. It is closely allied to
_Stapelia hirsuta_, which occurs in the Western Province of the Cape,
but the flowers are larger, the cilia longer, and the rudimentary leaves
are more developed. The illustration given here was made from specimens
growing on the rockeries of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, but there
is no record of the locality from which the original plants came. In
1916 a coloured illustration of the species appeared in the _Botanical
Magazine_ (t. 8681), made from a specimen which flowered in the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew, in June 1915, which was sent to England by Mr. N.
S. Pillans. Mr. Pillans’ specimens came from Palapye Road, near
Mafeking.
DESCRIPTION:--A succulent herb 10-20 cm. high. _Stems_ decumbent,
4-angled, velvety-pubescent. _Leaves_ rudimentary, ·3-1·3 cm. long,
linear-lanceolate, acute, velvety-pubescent. _Flowers_ 1-3 together near
the base of the stem; pedicels velvety. _Sepals_ velvety. _Corolla_
8·5-15 cm. in diameter; disc purple, clothed with long soft hairs; lobes
barred with transverse yellow and purple lines, and ciliate with long
whitish and purple hairs, velvety on the back. Outer corona-lobes 7 mm.
long, lanceolate with a subulate-acuminate recurved dark purple tip;
inner corona-lobes ·9-1·3 cm. long, subulate, with a 1-3-toothed broad
dorsal wing.
[As received from South Africa and as grown in England the stems of all
the plants seen are erect, being decumbent only at the basal part as in
other species of this genus. I have never seen them entirely prostrate
as here represented. Locality may cause the difference.--N. E. BROWN.]
* * * * *
PLATE 26.--Fig. 1, corona; Fig. 2, pollinia; Fig. 3, upper portion
of stem; Fig. 4, stem with flowers; Fig. 5, follicles.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _27._
K. A. Lansdell del.
STREPTOCARPUS DUNNII, HOOK. f.]
PLATE 27.
STREPTOCARPUS DUNNII.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
GESNERACEAE. Tribe CYRTANDREAE.
STREPTOCARPUS, _Lindl._; _Benth. et Hook. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 1023.
* * * * *
=Streptocarpus Dunnii=, _Hook. f. Bot. Mag._ t. 6903; _Fl. Cap._ iv. sect.
2, p. 442.
* * * * *
This species of _Streptocarpus_, which belongs to a section of the genus
characterised by the development of one leaf only, was first brought to
the notice of horticulturists in 1884 by Mr. E. G. Dunn, who sent seeds
to Kew from Spitzkop in the Transvaal.
The seeds germinated freely, and in May and June of 1886 the plants were
a feature of the Succulent House at Kew. The genus _Streptocarpus_ is
well represented in South Africa, and at least 24 distinct species are
known.
Our illustration was made from plants grown by Mr. C. E. Gray, Pretoria,
from specimens collected by Dr. Pole Evans on Mr. Geo. Heys’ farm,
Weltevreden, Machadodorp, where it grows on rocks at the side of a
stream.
DESCRIPTION:--Leaf sometimes up to 1 m. long and 45 cm. broad, hairy
beneath, sometimes shaggy on the upper surface, with crenate margins.
_Peduncles_ up to 15 cm. long, terete, pilose, bearing many flowers
arranged more or less in a cymose manner. _Calyx_ divided almost to the
base; lobes 5 mm. long, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, subacute,
ciliate. _Corolla-tube_ 2·2 cm. long, pubescent in bud, becoming more or
less glabrous with age, gradually widening from the base upwards; lobes
4 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, more or less transversely oblong, broadly
rounded at the apex. _Style_ densely pilose below.
* * * * *
PLATE 27.--Fig. 1, inflorescence; Fig. 2, plant reduced
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _28._
K. A. Lansdell del.
SENECIO STAPELIAEFORMIS, P. HILL. _sp. nov._]
PLATE 28.
SENECIO STAPELIAEFORMIS.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
COMPOSITAE. Tribe SENECIONIDEAE.
SENECIO, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 446.
* * * * *
=Senecio stapeliaeformis=, _Phill. sp. nov._
_Caudex_ 7-25 cm. altus, carnosus, 4-7-angulosus. _Folia_ 2-5 mm.
longa, erecta, subulata, emarcida. _Pedunculus_ 2 cm. longus,
simplex, monocephalus, teres, glaber. _Capitulum_ discoideum,
coccineum. _Bractae_ involucri, 1·5 cm. longae, 1 mm. latae,
lineares, apice obtusae ciliataeque. _Receptaculum_ 3 mm. latum,
planum. _Corollae_ tubus 2 cm. longus, cylindricus, glaber; lobi
3·5 mm. longi, ·75 mm. lati, lineares, apice obtusi. _Stamina_
inclusa; filamenta 6 mm. longa; antherae 2·5 mm. longae, lineares,
apice appendice lineare instructae. _Ovarium_ 2·5 mm. longum,
glabrum; stylus 2 mm. longus, glaber, lobis 4 mm. longis
linearibus. _Pappus_ 1·6 cm. longus.
Transvaal: Lydenburg. _Carl Jeppe in National Herbarium,_ 1272.
Pruizen, Potgeiters Rust, under bushes, _Burtt Davy_, 2203.
* * * * *
The specimens from which our figure was made were collected by Mr. Carl
Jeppe in the Lydenburg District, Transvaal, and flowered in the Garden
of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in September, 1919.
It is closely allied to _Senecio pendula_, Sch. Bip., a native of
Somaliland and Arabia, but differs in the erect, angled stems.
The stems resemble those of a _Stapelia_ to such an extent that it was
thought to be a _Stapelia_ when received, and was planted out in the
_Stapelia_ collection. This species will make a very welcome addition to
the South African rockeries.
DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ 7-25 cm. long, simple, more rarely branched, thick
and fleshy, 4-7-angled, with the angles compressed and toothed, each
tooth tipped with an erect, slender, awl-like leaf 2-5 mm. long,
withering and becoming hardened. _Peduncle_ often solitary and terminal,
sometimes there is also an axilliary one on the stem, but then only the
uppermost appears to develop; 2 cm. long, bearing one flower-head,
terete, with 3-4 of the subulate leaves or bracts, glabrous.
_Flower-head_ solitary, discoid, scarlet-red. _Involucral-scales_ in a
single row of 10-12, more or less concrete, 1·5 cm. long, 1 mm. broad,
linear, obtuse, ciliated at the apex, brick-red. _Receptacle_ 3 mm. in
diameter, flat. _Florets_ all hermaphrodite. _Corolla-tube_ 2 cm. long,
cylindric, glabrous, scarlet-red above, colourless below; lobes 3·5 mm.
long, 0·75 mm. broad, linear, obtuse, scarlet-red. _Stamens_ inserted
about halfway down the corolla-tube; filaments 6 mm. long, filiform,
becoming linear for 1·5 mm. below the anthers; anthers 2·5 mm. long,
linear, blunt at the base, tipped at the apex with a linear appendage
1·5 mm. long. _Ovary_ 2·5 mm. long, linear in outline, glabrous; style 2
mm. long, cylindric, glabrous; style-arms 4 mm. long, linear, tipped
with a bristly cone. _Pappus_ of white hairs 1·6 cm. long, distantly
barbellate. _Fruit_ not seen.
[A few years before the war a plant of this species was sent by Mr. J.
Burtt Davy to Kew Gardens, where it flowered annually, but has since
died.--N. E. BROWN.]
* * * * *
PLATE 28.--Fig. 1, flower (enlarged); Fig. 2, style-arms; Fig. 3,
stamens; Fig. 4, cross-section of stem.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _29._
K. A. Lansdell del.
NYMPHAEA STELLATA WITH.]
PLATE 29.
NYMPHAEA STELLATA.
_Cape Province, Transvaal, Natal, Rhodesia._
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NYMPHAEACEAE. Tribe NYMPHAEAE.
NYMPHAEA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 46.
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=Nymphaea stellata=, _Willd. Sp. Pl._ vol. ii. p. 1153; _Fl. Cap._ vol. i.
p. 14.
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A common water plant in many of our South African rivers and vleis, and
it is not surprising that such a handsome species soon found its way to
cultivators in Europe. Masson, about the year 1792, appears to have
first introduced it into England by forwarding specimens from the Cape
to the Royal Gardens at Kew. It was not long before coloured plates
appeared in the botanical publications of the day, and the first of
these was published in 1801 in the _Botanical Magazine_ and about the
same time in Andrews’ _Botanist’s Repository_. A second figure again
appeared in the _Botanical Magazine_ about 18 years later. The species,
commonly known as the “Blue Water Lily” (Zulu “i-Ziba”), is easy of
cultivation, and is found in most garden ponds in South Africa. Our
illustration was made from specimens growing in the aquarium of the
Natal Herbarium, Durban.