floating leaves and flowers are produced. _Rhizome_ 4-5 cm. in diameter,
black and spongy. _Leaves_ about 6 to each rhizome; petiole long or
short according to the depth of the water, terete, striate, thickly
clothed with transparent hairs; lamina green above, brownish beneath, up
to 30 cm. long and 20-26 cm. broad, orbicular or elliptic, rounded at
the apex, and with a deep acute triangular notch at the base, with
entire or sometimes wavy margins, and prominent veins beneath, glabrous.
_Peduncles_ longer than the petioles, raising the flower well above the
surface of the water. _Sepals_ 4, green outside, blue within, 4-6 cm.
long, 1·5-2 cm. broad, ovate-oblong, acuminate. _Petals_ numerous, about
4 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, blue. _Torus_ thick,
fleshy. _Stamens_ numerous, in several rows; filaments flattened; the
outer longer than the inner, and ½-⅔ the length of the petals; anthers
yellow, with a long linear blue appendage at the apex. _Carpels_ many,
inserted in the torus; stigma arcuate, obtuse. _Fruit_ a many-seeded
berry. _Seeds_ spongy.
* * * * *
PLATE 29.--Fig. 1, torus; Fig. 2, plant reduced.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _30._
K. A. Lansdell del.
CEROPEGIA MEYERI DENE.]
PLATE 30.
CEROPEGIA MEYERI.
_Cape Province, Transvaal, Natal._
* * * * *
ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe CEROPEGIEAE.
CEROPEGIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 779.
* * * * *
=Ceropegia Meyeri=, _Decne. in DC. Prodr._ vol. viii. p. 645; _Fl. Cap._
vol. iv sect. 1, p. 828.
* * * * *
This species was first collected by Drège between the Bashee River and
Morley, in Tembuland, about the year 1831, but the species has been
found by several collectors since then. Its altitudinal range of
distribution is wide, as it has been recorded by the late Dr. Wood from
the sub-tropical climate of Durban and from Oliver’s Hoek Pass on the
Drakensbergen, which is occasionally covered with snow in the winter
months. The plant is a very ornamental twiner, easily cultivated, and
well worth the attention of horticulturists. The accompanying
illustration was made from specimens growing in the garden of the Natal
Herbarium at Durban.
DESCRIPTION:--_Rootstock_ a flattened tuber. _Stem_ herbaceous, twining,
up to 10 metres long, pubescent. _Leaves_ petioled; lamina 1·7-2·8 cm.
long, 3-5·9 cm. broad, cordate-ovate or lanceolate-ovate, acute,
somewhat acuminate, cordate or rounded at the base, more or less
pubescent or rarely subglabrous on both sides, with the margins
variously toothed or lobed. _Petiole_ 1-4 cm. long, pubescent.
_Inflorescence_ 2-4-flowered, cymose, sessile or subsessile at the
nodes. _Pedicels_ 0·6-1·1 cm. long, villous. _Sepals_ 8-11 mm. long, 1
mm. broad at the base, subulate, pubescent. _Corolla-tube_ whitish at
the lowermost third, streaked with purple lines above, 2·5-3·1 cm. long,
bottle-shaped, inflated and cylindric-oblong in the basal two-thirds,
and narrowed into a cylindric neck above, then abruptly dilated at the
mouth, glabrous without and within except at the throat; lobes almost
black, connate at the tips, 1-1·2 cm. long, 3 mm. broad at the base,
linear, pilose, with reflexed margins. _Outer corona-lobes_ white,
ascending, 1 mm. long, deltoid, acute, glabrous; inner corona lobes
connivent at the base, then slightly divergent, and again connivent at
the tips, white above, black below, 2 mm. long, linear or slightly
spathulate-linear, obtuse. _Follicles_ erect, sub-parallel, 8-10 cm.
long, tapering into a beak, glabrous.
* * * * *
PLATE 30.--Fig. 1, calyx (enlarged); Fig. 2, corona; Fig. 3, a
follicle.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _31._
K. A. Lansdell del.
MORÆA IRIDIOIDES, LINN.]
PLATE 31.
MORAEA IRIDIOIDES.
_Cape Province, Transvaal, Natal._
* * * * *
IRIDEAE. Tribe MORAEEAE.
MORAEA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 688.
* * * * *
=Moraea iridioides=, _Linn. Mant._ 28; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 25.
* * * * *
This is one of the largest and most handsome species in the genus and is
frequently cultivated in South African gardens. Thunberg appears to have
been the first collector of this plant; he gathered his specimens near
the Zeekoe River in Humansdorp Division about 1772, but the species was
known in England before then, as there is a record of Miller having it
in cultivation in 1758. The first figure of the species appeared in the
_Botanical Magazine_ in 1804 and it has been figured several times
since. The present illustration was made from specimens growing in the
garden of the Natal Herbarium, Durban.
DESCRIPTION:--A perennial plant with short underground rhizomes.
_Leaves_ crowded in dense fan-shaped basal rosettes, 0·6-1·3 metres
long, 1-2 cm. broad, linear, acute, equitant at the base, glabrous.
_Peduncles_ equalling or exceeding the leaves. _Inflorescence_
corymbose. _Spathe-valves_ 2, about 6·5 cm. long, obtuse, tightly
folded; the outer smaller than the inner. _Perianth-segments_ 5-6 cm.
long, 2-3 cm. broad, obovate, obtuse, clawed at the base; the 3 outer
segments with an orange-yellow keel, densely pilose at the base; the 3
inner segments narrower, with dark markings above the claw. _Ovary_
ellipsoid. _Stigmas_ purple, lanceolate, 2-lobed. _Fruit_ 5 cm. long,
1·7 cm. in diameter, ellipsoid; valves coriaceous. _Seeds_ discoid.
* * * * *
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _32._
K. A. Lansdell del.
HAEMANTHUS NATALENSIS, PAPPE.]
PLATE 32.
HAEMANTHUS NATALENSIS.
_Cape Province, Natal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
HAEMANTHUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 730.
* * * * *
=Haemanthus natalensis=, _Pappe ex Hook. in Bot. Mag._ t. 5378; _Fl. Cap._
vol. vi. p. 232.
* * * * *
The late Dr. Pappe first brought this species to the notice of Kew as an
undescribed South African plant, and not long afterwards (1862), Dr.
Sanderson sent bulbs from Natal to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which
flowered the following year. An excellent figure of the plant appeared
in the _Botanical Magazine_ of the same year. The species appears to be
fairly common in Natal, but the only Cape Province record we have is
supplied by a specimen collected by Mr. W. Tyson at Kokstad, East
Griqualand, 1883. The present illustration was made from specimens
collected by Miss K. A. Lansdell at “Stella Bush” near Durban. It is
popularly known as the “Blood Flower,” “Snake Lily,” and “April Fool.”
It is reputed to be poisonous, but is used medicinally by the natives of
Natal who know it as “Indumbe-ka-Hloile.”
DESCRIPTION:--An erect plant about 1 metre high. _Bulb_ 2-7·5 cm. in
diameter, usually globose. _Stem_ about 1 metre high, closely covered
with leaves above and with a few scale-leaves at the base. _Leaves_
sub-erect, 32 cm. long, 8-9 cm. broad, acute, narrowed at the base,
glabrous, shining; the sheathing petiole of the lowermost leaves with
reddish-brown spots, and the margin round the apex coloured
reddish-brown. _Peduncle_ lateral, from the base of the stem, generally
shorter than the stem, semi-terete, smooth and glabrous. _Inflorescence_
a many-flowered umbel. _Involucral-bracts_ 7-8, vandyke red to blackish
red-purple (R.C.S.), 6·5-7·5 cm. long, 2-5 cm. broad, oblong,
sub-acuminate, rounded or obtuse at the apex, glabrous. _Floral-bracts_
about 4 cm. long, 1-2 mm. broad, linear. _Flowers_ scarlet (R.C.S.).
_Pedicels_ 1·5-5 cm. long, terete, glabrous. _Perianth-tube_ 1 cm.
long, 0·9 cm. in diameter, campanulate, glabrous; lobes 1·2 cm. long,
linear, obtuse and recurved at the apex, with a tuft of hairs on each
alternate lobe, otherwise glabrous. _Stamens_ exserted, arising at the
throat of the perianth-tube; filaments usually about 1·6 cm. long,
hermosa pink (R.C.S.); anthers yellow. _Ovary_ 6 mm. long, ellipsoid;
style longer than the stamens, hermosa pink (R.C.S.); stigma minute,
globose. _Fruit_ a bright-red berry about 1 cm. in diameter,
sub-globose, 1-3 seeded.
* * * * *
PLATE 32.--Fig. 1, plant reduced; Fig. 2, flower, with bract; Fig.
3, stamen, showing attachment to segment of the perianth.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _33._
K. A. Lansdell del.
CYRTANTHUS MᶜKENII, Hook. f.]
PLATE 33.
CYRTANTHUS MCKENII.
_Natal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
CYRTANTHUS, _Ait._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 729.
* * * * *
=Cyrtanthus McKenii=, _Hook. fil. in Gard. Chron._, 1869, p. 641, with
fig.; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 225; _Wood, Natal Plants_, vol. i. t. 51.
* * * * *
The species of _Cyrtanthus_, which with one exception are confined to
South Africa, have always received notice from gardeners. Our plant was
described in 1869 from specimens sent to Europe by Mr. McKen, and a
coloured drawing appeared soon after (1873) in one of the illustrated
botanical publications. As far as our records go, this species is
confined to Natal, where it is known as the “Ifafa Lily.” The specimens
from which our illustration was made were gathered by Miss K. A.
Lansdell on the banks of the Ifafa River near Port Shepstone, the
original locality in which Mr. McKen first discovered the species. The
flowers are strongly scented.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 3-4 cm. in diameter, ovoid; tunics brown,
membranous. _Leaves_ 2-6, erect, contemporary with the flowers, 20-30
cm. long, 0·9-2 cm. broad, linear, obtuse, narrowed to the base,
glabrous. _Peduncle_ reddish-brown near the base, longer than the
leaves, sub-terete, hollow. _Inflorescence_ a 4-10-flowered umbel.
_Spathe-valves_ 2, green, spotted with reddish-brown marks when young,
at length withering, 2·5-3·5 cm. long, 4-7 mm. broad, lanceolate, acute.
_Flowers_ sub-erect, pure white with yellowish throats. _Floral-bracts_
linear. _Pedicle_ 0·8-1·5 cm. long, terete. _Perianth-tube_ 3-3·5 cm.
long, 7-9 mm. in diameter at the throat, gradually widening from the
base upwards; lobes spreading, 6-7 mm. long, 5-6 mm. broad, ovate, the 3
outer cucullate at the apex; the 3 inner emarginate. _Stamens_
sub-sessile, in 2 whorls below the throat of the perianth tube; anthers
oblong. _Ovary_ sub-trigonous; style exserted; stigmas spreading,
oblong-linear, tufted at the apex. _Fruit_ a trigonous capsule.
* * * * *
PLATE 33.--Fig. 1, leaf and flowers, natural size; Fig. 2, perianth
laid open; Fig. 3, apex of style showing stigmas.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _34._
S. Gower del.
WITSENIA MAURA, Thunb.]
PLATE 34.
WITSENIA MAURA.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
IRIDACEAE. Tribe SISYRINCHIEAE.
WITSENIA, _Thunb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 701.
* * * * *
=Witsenia maura=, _Thunb. Nov. Gen._ pl. p. 34; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 46.
* * * * *
This interesting plant, the only species known in the genus, was first
found by Dr. Carl Thunberg at Noordhoek and False Bay on the Cape
Peninsula and described by him in 1782. It appears to be confined to
damp habitats in the Cape Province, and has been found by the late Dr.
Bolus at Houw Hoek in Caledon Division. It has also been recorded from
the Tradouw Mountains in Swellendam Division, and this year (1920) Mr.
T. P. Stokoe has discovered the plant on the Klein River Mountains near
Caledon. It is a rare species and would only interest enthusiastic
cultivators on account of its rarity.
We are indebted to Mr. Stokoe for the living specimens from which this
plate was prepared. The plant is known locally as “Waaiertje.”
DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ woody. _Leaves_ distichous, about 18 cm. long, 5-7
mm. broad, linear, tapering to an acute point, amplexi-caul, glabrous.
_Flowers_ in terminal heads. _Bracts_ 4·5 cm. long, boat-shaped, shorter
than the flowers. _Perianth-tube_ 2·7 cm. long, brown below, becoming
blue-black above; lobes 1·4 cm. long, 5·5 mm. broad, ovate-lanceolate,
obtuse, densely tomentose with yellow hairs outside, glabrous within,
with a tuft of yellow hairs at the apex of the inner segments and
marginal hairs round the apex of the outer segments. _Stamens_ inserted
near the throat of the perianth-tube; filaments 5 mm. long, linear and
slightly dilated at the base; anthers 6 mm. long, linear. _Ovary_ small;
style 4 cm. long, slightly bifid at the apex.
* * * * *
PLATE 34.--Fig. 1, plant natural size; Fig. 2, unopened flower;
Fig. 3, lobes of perianth; Figs. 4 and 5, stamens; Fig. 6, ovary
and style; Fig. 7, tip of style, showing the three stigmas.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _35._
S. Gower del.
CYRTANTHUS OBLIQUUS, Ait.]
PLATE 35.
CYRTANTHUS OBLIQUUS.
_Cape Province, Natal._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
CYRTANTHUS, _Ait._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol iii. p. 729.
* * * * *
=Cyrtanthus obliquus=, _Ait.; Hort. Kew._ vol. i. p. 414; _Fl. Cap._ vol.
vi. p. 219; _Wood, Natal Plants_, vol. iv. t. 391.
* * * * *
This beautiful _Cyrtanthus_ was described by Aiton in 1789, probably
from plants collected in South Africa by Masson, who sent specimens of
this species to England in 1774. The fact that it has been so frequently
figured is an indication that it has appealed largely to
horticulturists. Jacquin first produced a coloured plate in 1797 and the
last figure we know of in botanical literature is that quoted above.
The specimens from which the present plate was prepared flowered in the
Gardens of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, from bulbs gathered on the
mountains at Bethelsdorp near Port Elizabeth by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans.
In Natal this plant is known as “Justifina” or “Sore-eye flower” by the
natives, who use it medicinally, as “Matoonga.”
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ globose, about 10 cm. in diameter, with a short
neck about 4 cm. long, and thick cylindrical roots from the base; outer
tunics membranous. _Leaves_ 18 cm. long, 4 cm. broad, strap-shaped,
obtuse, glabrous. _Peduncle_ 28 cm. long, 1·3 cm. in diameter at the
base, cylindric, tapering slightly towards the apex, hollow, glabrous.
_Inflorescence_ an umbel of 6 flowers. _Bracts_ 3 cm. long, 1 cm. broad,
ovate, sub-acuminate, acute. _Pedicels_ 2 cm. long, cylindric, glabrous.
_Flowers_ pendulous. _Perianth-tube_ 4·5 cm. long, 2 cm. in diameter at
the throat, funnel-shaped; outer lobes 2·5 cm. long, 1·4 cm. broad,
oblong, slightly mucronate; inner lobes 2·4 cm. long, 1·7 cm. broad,
obovate, obtuse, green, passing into yellow and red at their base.
_Stamens_ arising from near the base of the perianth-tube; filaments 3
cm. long, cylindric; anthers 4 mm. long, oblong. _Ovary_ sub-globose, 5
mm. long, about 6 mm. in diameter; style 7·9 cm. long, cylindric; stigma
faintly 3-lobed.
* * * * *
PLATE 35.--Fig. 1, plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, leaf and flowers,
natural size; Fig. 3, perianth laid open; Fig. 4, apex of style.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _36._
S. Gower del.
MIMETES PALUSTRIS, Kn.]
PLATE 36.
MIMETES PALUSTRIS.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE.
MIMETES, _Salisb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 171.
* * * * *
=Mimetes palustris=, _Knight, Prot._ p. 66, _excl. syn. Boerh.; Fl. Cap._
vol. v. sect. 1, p. 649.
* * * * *
We have much pleasure in figuring this species, one of the many
botanical rarities which have recently been brought to the notice of
South African botanists by Mr. T. P. Stokoe.
Mr. Stokoe collected the specimens in August, 1920, between Hermanus and
Stanford in the Caledon District. They were growing on damp slopes of
shallow soil overlaying quartzite, with a southern aspect. In the
locality the plant is extremely rare.
As far as we are aware this is the first record of the species since it
was collected by Niven.
The common species of _Mimetes_ (_M. lyrigera_, Knight) is known as the
“Rooi Stompie,” and as the above species is confined to damp habitats we
propose the name “Water Stompie” for it.
DESCRIPTION:--A small shrub about 24 cm. high. _Branches_ pilose.
_Leaves_ more or less imbricated, 1·7-2·5 cm. long, 7-9 mm. broad, the
leaves subtending the flowers broader, elliptic-lanceolate, sub-acute,
villous, ciliate with long hairs on the margins. _Heads_ longer than the
leaves, 3-5 flowered. _Outer involucral bracts_ about 2·2 cm. long,
ovate-lanceolate, acute, villous. _Perianth_ hairy; the limb densely
setose. _Style_ with a dilated ring at the base of the stigma, glabrous.
* * * * *
PLATE 36.--Fig. 1, plant natural size; Fig. 2, a single flower;
Fig. 3, a single perianth segment; Fig. 4, limb of perianth; Fig.
5, style; Fig. 6, stigma.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _37._
S. Gower del.
CYRTANTHUS ROTUNDILOBUS, N.E. BR.]
PLATE 37.
CYRTANTHUS ROTUNDILOBUS.[C]
_Transkei._
* * * * *
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLEAE.
CYRTANTHUS, _Ait._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 729.
* * * * *
=Cyrtanthus rotundilobus=, _N.E. Br. sp. nov._
CYRTANTHUS _rotundilobus_; _Bulbus_ ovoideus, 3 cm. diametro, in
collo productus. _Folia_ 4, erecto-recurva, 16-30 cm. longa, 1·7
cm. lata, lineari-lanceolata, apice attenuata, subtus carinata,
glabra. _Pedunculus_ circa 14 cm. longus, teres, solidus, glaber.
_Umbella_ 9-11-flora. _Bracteæ_ 2·5 cm. longae, ovatæ acuminatae.
_Pedicelli_ 1·7 cm. longi, teretes, glabri. _Perianthium_ plus
minusve nutans rubro-cinnabarinum; tubus 2·5 cm. longus,
infundibularis, ad apicem 8-9 mm. diametro; lobi circa 7 mm. longi
et 5 mm. lati, elliptici vel suborbiculari, minute apiculati.
_Stamina_ ad faucem perianthii inserta, biseriata, superioria
subexserta; antherae 4 mm. longae. _Ovarium_ 4 mm. longum,
ellipsoideum; stylus 2·2 cm. longus, filiformis, stigmatibus tribus
minutis.--N. E. BROWN.
=Transkei=, _Wickens_.
* * * * *
This is not such a conspicuous plant as some other species of the genus,
yet the brilliant colouring of the perianth is sufficient to warrant
attention being given to this species in collections.
Our plate was figured from specimens grown by Mr. Wickens from bulbs
collected in the Transkei, where it is known as the “Red Dobo-lily.”
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ ovoid, 3 cm. in diameter, produced into a neck
about 3 cm. long, with fleshy cylindrical roots from the base. _Leaves_
4, 16-30 cm. long, 1·7 cm. broad, strap-shaped or linear-lanceolate,
tapering to the apex, keeled beneath, channelled above, glabrous.
_Peduncle_ arising at the side of the leaves, 14 cm. long, terete,
solid, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ an umbel of about 11 flowers. _Bracts_
2·5 cm. long, ovate, acuminate. _Pedicels_ 1·7 cm. long, terete,
glabrous. _Perianth-tube_ 2·5 cm. long, 6 mm. in diameter at the throat,
funnel-shaped, reddish-scarlet; lobes 5 mm. long, 5 mm. broad, elliptic
or sub-orbicular, with a minute apiculus; the 3 outer lobes with a
glandular structure at the apex. _Stamens_ inserted near the throat of
the perianth-tube; anthers in 2 rows, sessile, 4 mm. long. _Ovary_ 4 mm.
long, ellipsoid; style 2·2 cm. long, filiform; stigmas 3 linear.--E.
PERCY PHILLIPS.
* * * * *
PLATE 37.--Fig. 1, leaf and flowers, natural size; Fig. 2, bulb and
base of leaves; Fig. 3, perianth laid open; Fig. 4, portion of
style showing the stigmas.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _38._
S. Gower del.
OROTHAMNUS ZEYHERI, PAPPE.]
PLATE 38.
OROTHAMNUS ZEYHERI.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE.
OROTHAMNUS, _Pappe_; _Benth. et Hook. f._ vol. iii. p. 171 (under
Mimetes).
* * * * *
=Orothamnus Zeyheri=, _Pappe in Bot. Mag._ t. 4357; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v.
sect. 1, p. 650.
* * * * *
This species is another _rara avis_ of the Cape Flora. It was figured
for the first time in 1848 (_Botanical Magazine_ t. 4357) from a
painting sent by Dr. Pappe to Kew. Carl Zeyher discovered the species on
the Hottentots Holland Mountains, and for very many years afterwards it
remained unknown to botanists in the fresh state. Mr. E. J. Steer, of
Cape Town, some years ago purchased specimens from a coloured
flower-seller and photographed it, and this year (1920) it was met with
more than once exposed for sale among the wild flowers in Adderley
Street, Cape Town. Every effort of botanical collectors to discover the
locality in which the species grows has up to now proved unsuccessful,
and no information can be obtained from the coloured flower-pickers. The
plant has no local name as far as we have been able to ascertain, and we
propose the name “Zeyher’s Orothamnus” for this species.
Our plate was made from a fresh specimen bought in Cape Town by Mr. T.
P. Stokoe.
DESCRIPTION:--An erect shrub, 6-8 ft. high. _Branches_ pilose with long
hairs. _Leaves_ 1-2¼ in. long, ¾-1¼ in. broad, slightly imbricate,
obovate or oblanceolate-spathulate, with a very obtuse blackish apex,
slightly narrowing at the base, or rarely the upper leaves attenuated,
distinctly 5-6 nerved, rigidly sub-coriaceous, densely ciliate when
young, otherwise glabrous or more or less scantily pilose. _Heads_
sessile, 2-2½ in. long, many-flowered. _Involucral bracts_ petaloid,
4-5-seriate, 1¾-2 in. long, 4-12 lin. broad, spathulate-oblong, rounded
at the apex, many-nerved, membranous, pilose, ciliate, rose-red, the
outermost densely shaggy-pilose. _Perianth-tube_ 3 lin. long,
cylindric, pubescent; segments lemon-yellow, 1¼ in. long, linear,
pilose; limb 4 lin. long, linear scantily pilose. _Filaments_ swollen,
fused with the perianth; anthers 3½ lin. long, linear, with an ovate
obtuse apical gland ¼ lin. long. _Hypogynous scales_ 5-6 lin. long,
linear, obtuse, brown. _Style_ 1¾ in. long, grooved, glabrous; stigma 3½
lin. long, grooved, obtuse; ovary 1 lin. long, globose. Fruit 3 lin.
long, oblong, smooth and shining (ex. _Flora Capensis_).
* * * * *
PLATE 38.--Fig. 1, portion of plant, natural size; Fig. 2, a single
flower; Fig. 3, upper portion of a perianth-lobe showing a stamen;
Fig. 4, apex of style.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _39._
K. A. Lansdell del.
CEROPEGIA RENDALLII, N.E. BR.]
PLATE 39.
CEROPEGIA RENDALLII.
_Transvaal._
* * * * *
ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe CEROPEGIEAE.
CEROPEGIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 779.
* * * * *
=Ceropegia Rendallii=, _N.E. Br. in Kew Bull._, 1894, p. 100; _Fl. Cap._
vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 814.
* * * * *
An exceedingly quaint and graceful little plant, and an acquisition to
the greenhouse.
Our illustration was made from a specimen collected by Dr. Ethel M.
Doidge at Onderstepoort, near Pretoria, and grown at the Division of
Botany. The locality is a new record for the species as hitherto it had
only been known from the Barberton and Lydenburg Districts.
The claw of the petal-lobes are united into a single column in the young
flowers but in the older flowers become separated.
The species was first described by Mr. N. E. Brown, in 1894, and is now
figured for the first time.
DESCRIPTION:--_Rootstock_ a flattened tuber, 2·5 cm. in diameter. _Stem_
twining, slender, glabrous. _Leaves_ 1·2-2·5 cm. long, 5-8 mm. broad,
linear or linear-oblong, somewhat fleshy, apiculate, glabrous, sometimes
with a slight ciliation on the margins. _Peduncles_ 1·5-2 cm. long,
slender, with 2 small bracts about the middle, 1-3 flowered. _Sepals_
subulate. _Corolla-tube_ 2 cm. long, globose at the base, contracted
into a funnel-shaped tube much dilated at the throat; lobes united into
an umbrella-shaped canopy supported on claws about 5 mm. long.
_Outer-corona_ about 1 mm. long, of 5 small pocket-like lobes, truncate
at the top or rising into a minute deltoid point at the dorsal angle,
inner coronal-lobes about 1 mm. long, falcate, recurved. _Follicles_
about 10 cm. long, 3 mm. in diameter, terete, tapering from about the
middle to a slightly dilated apex, glabrous, greenish or irregularly
striped with rupple-red.
* * * * *
PLATE 39.--Fig. 1, plant, natural size; Fig. 2, flower; Fig. 3,
canopy in fully-opened flower seen from above; Fig. 4, side view of
canopy in bud; Fig. 5, canopy in bud seen from above; Fig. 6,
corona; Fig. 7, follicles.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
[Illustration: _40._
K. A. Lansdell del.
SARCOCAULON RIGIDUM, SCHINZ.]
PLATE 40.
SARCOCAULON RIGIDUM.
_South-West Africa._
* * * * *
GERANIACEAE. Tribe GERANIEAE.
SARCOCAULON, _Sweet_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 272.
* * * * *
=Sarcocaulon rigidum=, _Schinz in Verh. Bot. Ver. Brand._, vol. xxix. p.
59, (1888).
* * * * *
This remarkable plant, one of the so-called “Bushman’s Candles” or
“Candle Bush,” flowered in the garden of the Division of Botany,
Pretoria, in September, 1919. The specimens were collected by Major C.
W. Lewis at Aus in South-West Africa. It is very closely allied to _S.
Burmanni Sweet_.[D] We are indebted to the Director of the Royal Botanic
Gardens, Kew, for the determination.