Part 3

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.

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.

DESCRIPTION:--_Stem_ short, sometimes reaching 1 metre in height, 8-12 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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._