Part 1

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. II.

The veld which lies so desolate and bare Will bloom 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.

1922

[_All rights reserved._]

TO SENATOR THE HONOURABLE CHARLES G. SMITH OF DURBAN, NATAL,

TO WHOSE GENEROSITY BOTANICAL SCIENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA IS MUCH INDEBTED, THIS VOLUME OF “THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF SOUTH AFRICA” IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED.

DIVISION OF BOTANY, PRETORIA, _September, 1922_.

PLATE 41.

ALOE WICKENSII.

_Transvaal._

* * * * *

LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.

ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.

* * * * *

=Aloe Wickensii=, _Pole Evans in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr._ vol. v. p. 29, Pls. 8, 9.

* * * * *

This is one of the most beautiful and showy of the South Africa species of _Aloe_. Specimens were collected by Messrs. Wickens and Pienaar in M‘Phathlele’s Location in the Northern Transvaal, in January, 1914. The species is also found widely distributed in the Oliphants River Bushveld. It is now established in the Garden of the Division of Botany, Pretoria, and in the latter part of July and August when in flower is a source of great admiration to visitors.

In general appearance and habit of growth this _Aloe_ closely resembles _A. Pienaarii_ from the same locality, figured in vol. i. of this work (Plate 27), but it is more commonly found on gentle slopes in bush country, although it may frequently occur in open ground along with _A. Pienaarii_. When the plants are not in flower, those of _A. Wickensii_ can be distinguished from _A. Pienaarii_ by their paler green leaves, which are distinctly incurved.

We propose the name “Wickens’ Aloe” for this species.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1449).

DESCRIPTION:--A stemless succulent herb. _Leaves_ pale glaucous-green, 40-50 in a dense rosette, 50-70 cm. long, 10-13 cm. broad at the base, lanceolate-ensiform, erect, distinctly incurved, rather flat above, convex beneath, beset on the margins with small deltoid black prickles about 2 mm. long and about 6-8 mm. apart. _Inflorescences_ often 2-4 from the same rosette, spreading. _Peduncle_ laterally compressed, naked, with usually two lateral branches, branches arcuateerect, clothed with pale brown scariose broadly ovate-acuminate bracts. _Raceme_ dense-flowered, 17-20 cm. long, conical-cylindric. _Bracts_ reflexed, 5-6 mm. long, ovate-cuspidate, scariose, pellucid. _Pedicels_ recurved, 3-4 mm. long. _Perianth_ 3·5 cm. long, cylindric-ventricose; outer segments free for 16-17 mm., obtuse and recurved at the apex, 3-5-nerved; inner segments obtuse and recurved, 3-nerved. _Stamens_ projecting 11 mm. beyond the perianth and slightly recurved. _Style_ stout, strongly recurved. _Fruit_ 2·5 cm. long, 1·3 cm. in diameter, oblong-ovoid.

* * * * *

PLATE 41.--Fig. 1, entire plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, raceme; Fig. 3, portion of leaf; Fig. 4, transverse section of leaf; Fig. 5, bract; Fig. 6, open flower; Fig. 7, fruit showing remains of perianth attached.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 42.

COMMELINA BENGHALENSIS.

_Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal._

* * * * *

COMMELINACEAE. Tribe COMMELINEAE.

COMMELINA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 847.

* * * * *

=Commelina benghalensis=, _Linn. Sp. Pl._ 41; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vii. p. 9.

* * * * *

A common species in certain habitats in South Africa, and extending to Tropical Africa, throughout India to Japan, and the Moluccas. On account of its easy cultivation and the exquisite deep shade of blue of the petals, it deserves more recognition from gardeners, and should be at least as great a favourite as species of _Tradescantia_ (The Wandering Jew). The floral structure shows interesting modifications in the stamens, and a study of the method of pollination would certainly bring to light some interesting facts. This plant often produces at the base modified (cleistogamic) flowers which burrow into the ground and produce small capsules.

The original drawing from which our figure has been reproduced was prepared by Miss Page and loaned by the Curator of the Bolus Herbarium. The plants flowered in March and April at the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch (No. 1232/18), and were sent by Mr. G. Hay from Louis Trichardt, Transvaal.

DESCRIPTION:--A diffuse herbaceous plant. _Stem_ 15-80 cm. long. _Leaves_ 3-8 cm. long, 1·5-3·5 cm. broad, ovate or elliptic-ovate, acute, contracted at the base into a sheath often ciliate with reddish hairs, and usually wavy margins. _Flowers_ partly enclosed in a green hairy spathe, the topmost flower long-exserted. _Sepals_ 3; the two side sepals more or less orbicular; the odd sepal elliptic. _Petals_ 3; the two side petals dark blue, semi-orbicular, produced at the base into a distinct claw; the odd petal small, ovate-elliptic. _Stamens_ 6, divided into three sets; three stamens barren, forming staminodes; the three side stamens blue; one stamen yellow, with two appendages at the back of the anther. _Ovary_ sub-globose, 3-celled; style cylindric; stigma simple. _Fruit_ obovoid, 3-celled. _Seeds_ more or less oblong, wrinkled.

* * * * *

PLATE 42.--Fig. 1, inflorescence in bud; Fig. 2, the same with half of spathe removed; Fig. 3, side sepal × 2; Fig. 4, odd sepal × 2; Fig. 5, side petal × 2; Fig. 6, odd petal × 2; Fig. 7, stamens and pistil × 3; Fig. 8, small anther (blue) × 5; Figs. 9, 10, larger anthers (yellow), front and back view × 5; Fig. 11, fruit × 4; Fig. 12, transverse section of fruit; Fig. 13, seed, enlarged.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 43.

HESSEA ZEYHERI.

_Cape Province, Little Namaqualand._

* * * * *

AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AMARYLLIDEAE.

HESSEA, _Herb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 720.

* * * * *

=Hessea Zeyheri=, _Baker_, _Handb. Amaryllid._ p. 23; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 191.

* * * * *

This is a very rare species here figured for the first time. It was discovered by Carl Zeyher at Hardeveld in little Namaqualand about the year 1847, and appears to have been unrecorded since then until recently collected by Mr. E. B. Watermeyer. The genus _Hessea_ is endemic to South Africa, and contains nine species found in the Cape Province, Little Namaqualand, and one species from the Transvaal. Hitherto none has been recorded from Natal or the Orange Free State. Our specimen differs slightly from the original described in the “Flora Capensis” in having three rather shorter leaves contemporary with the flowers. At first the style is short, but elongates as the flowers mature.

Our illustration was prepared from a drawing by Miss M. Page of specimens which flowered in April at the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch (No. 1157/16), and collected by Mr. E. B. Watermeyer, Nieuwoudtville, Calvinia Division. The drawing has been kindly loaned by the Curator of the Bolus Herbarium.

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 5 cm. long, 3·5 cm. in diameter, sub-globose, produced above into a short neck. _Leaves_ 3, contemporary with the flowers, 5·5-11·5 cm. long, 0·8-16 cm. broad, strap-shaped, obtuse, narrowing and channelled at the base. _Peduncle_ arising at the side of the leaves, about 10 cm. long, flattened. _Spathe-valves_ 2 cm. long, linear, acuminate. _Inflorescence_ an umbel of about 25 flowers. _Pedicels_ 2-3 cm. long. _Perianth tube_ 3 mm. long; segments about 1 cm. long, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, united to the staminal tube by the midrib. _Stamens_ of two different lengths, the filaments united below into a tube 4 mm. long; free portions of filaments 8 mm. and 5 mm. long; anthers of long stamens globose, of short stamens oblong. _Ovary_ 1·6 mm. in diameter, globose; style short in bud, lengthening to 15 mm. in older flowers.

* * * * *

PLATE 43.--Fig. 1, section through perianth × 3; Fig. 2, lobe of perianth × 3.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 44.

CEROPEGIA TRISTIS.

_Cape Province, Natal._

* * * * *

ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe CEROPEGIEAE.

CEROPEGIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 779.

* * * * *

=Ceropegia tristis=, _Hutchinson_, sp. nov.; affinis _C. Haygarthii_, Schlechter, sed foliis sub anthesi bene evolutis, calyce majori, corollae lobis brevissime stipitatis differt.

_Scandens_; caulis carnosus, glaber. _Folia_ breviter petiolata matura 3·5-6 cm. longa, 1·5-3·5 cm. lata, late oblonga vel oblongo-ovata, apice breviter apiculata, basi cordata, glabra; nervi laterales utrinsecus circiter 4, patuli; petioli circiter 1 cm. longi. _Cymae_ axillares, triflorae; pedicelii usque ad 1·5 cm. longi, teretes, glabri. _Sepala_ lineari-filiformia, 3-4 mm. longa, glabra, marginibus leviter hyalinis. _Corolla_ basi subglobosa, supra basin curvato-erecta, circiter 6 cm. longa, superne turbinata, apice 2 cm. diametro, extra glabra, maculata, intra leviter pilosa, lobis e basi lata attenuatis in columnam brevem cohaerentibus, deinde apice corpusculam globosam 5-fenestratum ciliatam formantibus. _Corona_ exterior cupularis, lobis 5 latis emarginatis columna staminalis sequilonga intra pilis longis gracilibus ciliatis; corona interior erecta, lobis conniventibus apice recurvatis. _Follicula_ circiter 14 cm. longa, falcato-recurvata, apice sub-uncinata.--J. H.

* * * * *

In our last number (Plate 39) we figured a species of _Ceropegia Rendallii_, which belongs to a group of the genus characterised by having the corolla-lobes united into an umbrella-like canopy supported by five short stalks. The present species has the corolla-lobes free at the base, then connate into a slender column, again becoming free and then connate at the tips, forming a small terminal cage-like body.

It shares this character with _Ceropegia Haygarthii_, Schlechter, and in this respect the two species are unique amongst the South African species. In _C. Haygarthii_, however, the corolla is very widely globose at the base, the calyx lobes are longer, and the peculiar stalk to the corolla lobes is at least three or four times as long. These differences seem to warrant the description of a new species. The curiously shaped flowers should make this species an object of interest in the greenhouse.

DESCRIPTION:--A climber. _Stem_ fleshy, glabrous. _Leaves_ shortly petioled, 3·5-6 cm. long, 1·5-3·5 cm. broad, broadly oblong or oblong-ovate, apex rounded and shortly pointed, cordate at the base, glabrous; lateral nerves about four on each side; petiole about 1 cm. long. _Inflorescence_ a 1-3-flowered axillary cyme; pedicels 1·2-1·5 cm. long, terete, glabrous. _Sepals_ 4-5 mm. long, subulate, glabrous. _Corolla_ abruptly bent at a right angle near the base; tube (following the bend) 2·6 cm. long, globosely inflated at the base, widening upwards and about 2 cm. in diameter at the mouth, glabrous without, finely pilose within; lobes free at the base, abruptly inflexed over the mouth of the tube and produced beneath into broad triangular partition-like green plates or keels, meeting at the centre and connate into a slender erect column about 2-3 mm. long, then again becoming free and expanding into elliptic-lanceolate replicate segments, connate at the tips, forming a small apical ellipsoid cage-like body, 5-8 mm. long, ciliate on the margins. _Outer corona_ cupular, with five broad emarginate lobes arising to the level of the staminal column, ciliate and hairy within with long fine hairs; inner corona lobes about 2·5 mm. long, linear, connivent-erect over the staminal column, with revolute tips. _Follicles_ about 14 cm. long, strongly falcate, recurved at the tips.

* * * * *

PLATE 44.--Fig. 1, portion of stem with leaves and flowers, nat. size; Fig. 2, calyx; Fig. 3, lobe of corolla; Fig. 4, outer and inner corona; Fig. 5, staminal column; Fig. 6, pollinia; Fig. 7, follicles, nat. size. All enlarged with the exceptions of Figs. 1 and 7.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 45.

WATSONIA GALPINII.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

WATSONIA, _Mill._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. viii. p. 705.

* * * * *

=Watsonia Galpinii=, _L. Bolus. Ann. Bolus Herb._ vol. iii. p. 11.

* * * * *

We have pleasure in figuring in this number, through the kindness of the Curator of the Bolus Herbarium, our first species of one of the most popular of South African genera, namely, _Watsonia_. Species of this genus have long been known in European Gardens, where they were introduced by the early botanical collectors from the Cape. The genus is represented in South Africa by about twenty species, and with the exception of a species which occurs in Madagascar, are confined to the sub-continent. The Watsonias lend themselves to hybridising, and some very fine garden hybrids have been produced.

The species here figured was first discovered by Mr. E. E. Galpin at Lottering Bush, Zitzikama (_Galpin_ No. 4698), and re-collected at Knysna by Miss A. V. Duthie, who sent corms to the National Botanic Gardens, where they flowered in March, 1919 (No. 239/18).

The general name of “pijpie” is applied to almost all species of _Watsonia_ and also to some species of _Gladiolus_.

DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ 2 cm. in diameter, depressed-globose, oblique at the base. _Stem_ 75 cm. long, racemose. _Leaves_ 4-8, radical, up to 35 cm. long, 1-1·5 cm. broad, linear, acute, acuminate, with the median and marginal nerves somewhat subprominent. _Inflorescence_ simple or branched. _Spathe-valves_ herbaceous or submembranous at the apex; the outer 0·6-3·2 cm. long, lanceolate, setaceous acuminate; the inner 0·8-1·4 cm. long, ovate or broadly ovate, acuminate. _Perianth-tube_ 2 cm. long, constricted about the middle; the lower half filiform, scarcely 1·5 mm. in diameter; the upper half infundibuliform, 7 mm. in diameter near the throat; lobes spreading, 1·5 cm. long; the outer up to 8 mm. broad, suboblong, subacute, minutely apiculate; the inner 1 cm. broad, oblong-obovate. _Stamens_ almost as long as the perianth lobes; anthers 9 mm. long. _Ovary_ about 5 mm. long, subobconic; style 2·9 cm. long; primary branches 9 mm. long; stigmas about 2 mm. long. _Fruit_ 1 cm. long, obconic.

Mrs. Bolus remarks, “Distinguished from the rest of the section ‘Eu-Watsonia’ by the more slender habit, the smaller spathe-valves, the shorter perianth-tube and relatively long segments.”

* * * * *

PLATE 45.--Fig. 1, flower, perianth laid open; Fig. 2, portion of fruiting spike; Fig. 3, capsule, dehisced, about natural size; Fig. 4, seed × 2.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 46.

MASSONIA LATIFOLIA.

_Cape Province, Little Namaqualand._

* * * * *

LILIACEAE. Tribe ALLIEAE.

MASSONIA, _Thunb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 806.

* * * * *

=Massonia latifolia=, _Linn. fil._ Suppl. 193; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 416.

* * * * *

All the species of _Massonia_, an endemic Cape genus of the _Liliaceae_, have fragrant hyacinthoid flowers, arising in a sessile cluster from between two broad prostrate leaves. The name was given to the genus by Carl Thunberg to commemorate the name of Francis Masson, who was sent to the Cape in 1772 as collector for the Royal Gardens at Kew, and who was responsible for introducing a large number of Cape plants into cultivation. The first 20 volumes of Curtis’s _Botanical Magazine_, which contain 786 plates, have nearly one-third devoted to figures of Cape species, mostly sent to Kew Gardens by Masson.

The genus _Massonia_ is very imperfectly known, as about 24 out of the 33 species described in the “Flora Capensis” have never been collected within the last 50 years, or are only known from figures in botanical publications. It is, therefore, with some pleasure that we publish our first plate representing a species of the genus, collected by Mrs. E. Rood, of Van Rhynsdorp, in the hope that it may stimulate others to forward specimens to the Division of Botany, Pretoria, for illustration in future numbers of this work.

This particular species was figured by Jacquin in 1803. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1450).

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 3·5 cm. long, 3 cm. broad, ovoid-ellipsoid, with brown membranous tunics. _Leaves_ 2, lying flat on the ground, somewhat fleshy, 12 cm. long, 14·5 cm. broad, somewhat orbicular, narrowed and channelled at the base, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ an abbreviated raceme. _Bracts_ 3·5 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, lanceolate, acuminate, acute, about 5-nerved, glabrous. _Pedicels_ 6 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, fleshy. _Perianth-tube_ 7 mm. long, 6 mm. in diameter at the throat; lobes 1·2 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, oblong, minutely tufted at the apex, membranous. _Filaments_ inserted at mouth of perianth-tube, 1·4 cm. long, ovate and connate at the base, becoming linear above; anthers 3 mm. long, linear, versatile. _Ovary_ 5 mm. long, 7 mm. in diameter above, obovoid; style 2 cm. long, subterete; stigma simple.

* * * * *

PLATE 46.--Fig. 1, plant viewed from eye-level; Fig. 2, bract with flower; Fig. 3, section of flower; Fig. 4, flower, showing the filaments connate at the base; Fig. 5, apex of perianth lobe; Fig. 6, bract; Fig. 7, plant viewed from above. All enlarged with the exception of Figs. 1 and 7.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 47.

KNIPHOFIA ALOOIDES.

_Cape Province, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Basutoland, Natal._

* * * * *

LILIACEAE. Tribe HEMEROCALLEAE.

KNIPHOFIA, _Moench._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 775.

* * * * *

=Kniphofia alooides=, _Moench. Meth._ 632; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 283. _Tritoma Uvaria_, _Gawl. in Bot. Mag._ t. 758; _Kniphofia Uvaria_, _Hook. Bot. Mag._ t. 4816.

* * * * *

We may perhaps be excused for figuring this species, which has appeared as a plate more than once in Curtis’s _Botanical Magazine_. It is, however, still such a favourite with cultivators that it is deemed worthy of a figure in a South African publication. Like other of our native plants it was known in European gardens many years ago, and is recorded as having flowered at Kew Gardens in 1707. As a cultivated plant it was known under the name of _Tritoma Uvaria_, which was later changed to _Kniphofia Uvaria_. It was also described by Linnaeus about the year 1735 as an _Aloe_. Specimens of the plant in cultivation may be seen in many South African gardens. It is the most robust and most variable species of the genus. In the coastal districts of Natal two varieties, _nobilis_ and _maxima_, are found, but our figure and description apply to the typical form. The common name is the “Red-hot poker.” The natives of Natal know the plant as “i-Cacane.”

The plate was drawn from a specimen collected near Durban in July, 1914.

DESCRIPTION:--A perennial stemless plant with radical leaves, and long naked peduncles, bearing a short spike of flowers at their apices. _Rootstock_ thickened, not tuberous. _Leaves_ 30-45 cm. long, 1·5-1·8 cm. broad low down, strap-shaped, acuminate, sheathing at the base, green, strongly and acutely keeled, with smooth margins. _Peduncle_ a little shorter than the leaves, terete. _Inflorescence_ 5 cm. long, dense, more or less cylindric. _Bracts_ 0·3-1·2 cm. long, 3-6 mm. broad, ovate, obtuse or acute. _Perianth-tube_ 3-4 cm. long, 5 mm. in diameter at the throat, more or less cylindric, 6-veined; lobes 2 mm. long, ovate, obtuse. _Stamens_ 6, not all lengthening at the same time, exserted in the lower flowers. _Ovary_ 3-celled, with many (12 or more) ovules in each cell; style exserted in the lower flowers; stigma obtuse.

* * * * *

PLATE 47.--Fig. 1, plant, reduced; Fig. 2, inflorescence; Fig. 3, flower with subtending bract; Fig. 4, leaf; Fig. 6, gynaecium; Figs. 6 and 7, stamens, front and back view; Fig. 8, cross-section through the ovary.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 48.

HELIOPHILA SCANDENS.

_Natal._

* * * * *

CRUCIFERAE. Tribe SISYMBRIEAE.

HELIOPHILA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 81.

* * * * *

=Heliophila Scandens=, _Harv. Thes. Cap._ vol. ii. p. 43, t. 166; _Bot. Mag._ t. 7668.

* * * * *

Harvey first described and figured this remarkable species of _Heliophila_ in 1863, from specimens which he received from Mr. M‘Ken. The late Dr. Medley Wood sent a plant of it to Kew in 1885, which flowered in the succulent house the following year, and has continued to do so about mid-winter ever since. From the plant which flowered at Kew a plate was prepared for the _Botanical Magazine_, t. 7668.

According to the Kew authorities, in the whole of the large Natural Order _Cruciferae_, embracing about 180 genera, only two are recorded as having scandent species. They are the South African _Heliophila_ and the Peruvian _Cremolobus_, and the scandent habit is exceptional in these two genera.

The plant may be found in shady places amongst shrubs along the coast near Durban and also at Inanda. The present plate was prepared from specimens gathered near Durban in July, 1914. The species is popularly known as the “Bridal Wreath.”

DESCRIPTION:--A climbing plant. _Stem_ brown; branches green, terete, glabrous. _Leaves_ 2·5-5 cm. long, 1·2-2·5 cm. broad, oblong to lanceolate, tapering at both ends, obtuse or acute, gradually passing into a thickened, channelled and usually recurved petiole, glabrous. _Flowers_ in axillary and terminal racemes; pedicels 1·2-2·5 cm. long. _Sepals_ oblong, obtuse; the two lateral ones with thickened dorsal wings. _Petals_ 0·8-1·2 cm. long, obovate-spathulate. _Long stamens_ half as long as the petals; short stamens 4 mm. long; anthers ovate. _Ovary_ globose; style short; stigma capitate. _Fruit_ 4-5 cm. long, elliptic-oblong, flat, tipped by a short straight style, 1-2-seeded.

* * * * *

PLATE 48.--Fig. 1, portion of plant, nat. size; Fig. 2, flower; Figs. 3, 4, and 5, stamens; Fig. 6, petal; Fig. 7, gynaecium; Fig. 8, fruit. All enlarged with the exception of Fig. 1.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 49.

HOLMSKIOLDIA SPECIOSA.

_Transvaal._