Part 3

DESCRIPTION:--An herbaceous plant 24-40 cm. high with one or more stems arising from the apex of a stout deep underground root. _Stem_ terete, faintly furrowed, covered with short glandular hairs. _Leaves_ 2-4 cm. long, ·6-1 cm. broad, lanceolate or lanceolate-ovate, obtuse, tapering upwards from a broad base, sometimes slightly narrowed at the base, with a prominent midrib and two faint lateral nerves more distinct on the upper surface, punctate-glandular on both surfaces, and with glandular hairs beneath, ciliate with glandular hairs. _Flower head_ solitary at the ends of the stems. _Peduncle_ 6-10 cm. long, terete, furrowed, glandular-pubescent. _Involucral-scales_ in 2 rows, somewhat connate at the base, 1·3-2 cm. long, ovate, acuminate, acute with membranous margins, glandular-pubescent. _Receptacle_ 7 mm. broad, convex, hollow. _Ray florets_ female. _Corolla-tube_ 2 mm. long, cylindric, glandular-pilose; limb 2 cm. long, 4 mm. broad, linear, 3-toothed at the apex, glandular-pilose on the back at the base. _Style_ as long as the corolla-tube. _Disc florets_ hermaphrodite. _Corolla-tube_ 5 mm. long, cylindric, constricted and narrower near the base, sparsely covered with glandular hairs on the broader portion of the tube; lobes 2 mm. long, almost 1 mm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse. _Filaments_ 4 mm. long, linear; anthers 3·5 mm. long, with deep golden-yellow pollen. _Pappus_ none. _Ovary_ 3 mm. long, flattened, winged and 2-horned at the apex; style 6 mm. long, cylindric; lobes 1 mm. long, truncate at the apex. _Fruit_ 1·5 cm. long, flattened, orbicular, with a circular wing.

* * * * *

PLATE 57.--Fig. 1, whole plant showing habit (reduced); Fig. 2, flower bud; Fig. 3, disk flower; Fig. 4, ray flower with ovary removed.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 58.

MIMETES CAPITULATA.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEAE.

MIMETES, _Salisb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 171 (partly).

* * * * *

=Mimetes capitulata=, _R. Br. in Trans. Linn. Soc._ vol. x. p. 106; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. i. p. 644.

* * * * *

The genus _Mimetes_ constitutes a small group of South African Proteaceae of nine species, all confined to the South-Western area of the Cape Province. The genus was first founded by Salisbury, but for over one hundred years afterwards plants belonging to two other distinct genera were placed under the name _Mimetes_. One of these, _Orothamnus Zeyheri_, we figured on Plate 38 of this work. Like a great many other groups of South African plants the species of _Mimetes_ have not been extensively collected, and we are indebted to Mr. T. P. Stokoe, of Cape Town, who has rediscovered so many interesting plants on the Hottentot Hollands Mountains, for the opportunity of figuring the present species. The examination of the fresh material has enabled us to add a few descriptive details to the description given in the _Flora Capensis_.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1457).

DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ villous. _Leaves_ 1·2-3 cm. long, ·5-1·5 cm. broad, lanceolate, lanceolate-ovate or ovate, gradually narrowed to an obtuse callous apex, a little narrowed at the base, entire, coriaceous, indistinctly 3-nerved, densely adpressed-villous with silky hairs. _Heads_ sessile, 2·5-3·3 cm. long, 10-16 flowered, in the axils of the leaves at the ends of the branches. _Involucral-bracts_ 5-6-seriate, varying from linear-lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, more or less narrowed at the base, membranous, pubescent outside, long-ciliate. _Receptacle_ long-setose. _Perianth-segments_ free or nearly so, 2·5-3 cm. long, linear-filiform, slightly widened for about 5 mm. at the base, plumose, limb about 4 mm. long, linear-lanceolate, subacute, long-villous on the back. _Anthers_ subsessile, about 2 mm. long, linear, with a lanceolate, subacute, concave apical gland. _Hypogynous scales_ 1 mm. long, linear, obtuse, white. _Ovary_ 2 mm. long, oblong in outline, pubescent; style 4 cm. long, subcylindric above, furrowed on the lower half and usually twisted at the junction with the ovary, swollen with an ellipsoid portion below the stigma, glabrous; stigma about 4 mm. long, furrowed, with an oblique ovoid acuminate subacute apex and with a distinct collar at the base.

* * * * *

PLATE 58.--Fig. 1, capitulum; Fig. 2, a single flower showing portion of hairy receptacle; Fig. 3, perianth segment; Fig. 4, pistil.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 59.

ERYTHRINA CAFFRA.

_Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal._

* * * * *

LEGUMINOSAE. Tribe PHASEOLEAE.

ERYTHRINA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 531.

* * * * *

=Erythrina caffra=, _Thunb. Fl. Cap._ p. 559; _Fl. Cap._ vol. ii. p. 236; _Wood, Natal Plants_, pl. 542.

* * * * *

This species is a common tree in the eastern parts of the Cape Province and also in the coastal and midland districts of Natal. The plant is known as the “Kaffir Boom,” and to children in Natal as “Cookie Doodles.” The Zulu name for the tree is “Umsini.”

The wood is very soft, and the only use to which it is put is for fencing poles, as it easily takes root and is free from the attack of termites. The scarlet seeds are strung as necklaces.

In various parts of the country the tree may be seen in cultivation, and when in full bloom the bright scarlet flowers make it extremely ornamental. The tree is deciduous and the flowers appear in spring while the plant is still leafless, but occasionally leaves and flowers may be produced at the same time.

Our plate was prepared from material collected by Miss K. A. Lansdell on the Berea, Durban, Natal. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1456).

DESCRIPTION:--A tree 6-17 m. high. _Branches_ pale-coloured, rugose, prickly, the prickles dark-coloured, up to 7 mm. or more long, broad at the base, usually a little curved, very sharp. _Leaves_ clustered near the ends of the twigs, trifoliolate: common petiole up to 21 cm. long, unarmed; terminal leaflet 6·5-9 cm. long, 9-11·5 cm. broad, ovate or sometimes sub 3-lobed, usually acuminate, more or less cuneate at the base, glabrous with two small glands at the base of the petiolule; lateral leaflets 6·5-9 cm. long, 6·5-9 cm. broad, similar in shape to the terminal leaflet, usually acuminate, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ a many-flowered dense raceme, 4·6 cm. long; flowers pendulous: peduncle dark brown, 7·5-15 cm. long, terete, velvety. _Calyx_ up to 1 cm. long, more or less tubular campanulate, 2-lipped, velvety-brown outside. _Vexillum_ up to 5 cm. long, 2·5 cm. broad when expanded, conduplicate, falcate; alae yellow-green, 4-8 mm. long, oblong, curved; carina equalling the alae. _Stamens_ 10, exserted; the vexillary filament free to the base. _Ovary_ stalked, villous; stigma simple. _Legume_ few-seeded, constricted between the seeds. _Seeds_ scarlet, with a black hilum.

* * * * *

PLATE 59.--Fig. 1, vexillum; Fig. 2, carina; Fig. 3, wing; Fig. 4, calyx; Fig. 5, stamens; Fig. 6, gynaecium; Fig. 7, fruit, showing one seed.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 60.

SPARAXIS GRANDIFLORA.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

SPARAXIS, _Ker_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 708.

* * * * *

=Sparaxis grandiflora=, _Ker in Konig and Sims’ Ann._ i. 225; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 116.

* * * * *

The plant here figured was introduced into Kew Gardens in the year 1758. Though it has been more than once illustrated in botanical publications, we do not apologise for reproducing this coloured illustration of one of the common bulbs found in so many gardens at the Cape. The species _grandiflora_ is represented by many colour varieties, and is probably the same as the plant described as _Spiraxis tricolor_, which only appears to differ from it in the colour markings on the perianth. The variety here figured is probably the form originally described under the name _Spiraxis atropurpurea_.

The specimens were collected by Dr. R. Marloth, who forwarded them to the Division of Botany, Pretoria, where they flowered in August. They are preserved in the National Herbarium (Herb. No. 1454).

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 1·3 cm. long, 1·3 cm. in diameter, covered with light-coloured fibrous tunics. _Leaves_ about 10 to a bulb, distichous; the lower leaves about 5 cm. long and 4 mm. broad; the upper up to 26 cm. long and 1·2 cm. broad; all linear, acuminate, acute, with a distinct midrib and the inner margin membranous, sheathing at the base, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ shorter than the upper leaves; peduncle about 12 cm. long, clasped and hidden by the inner leaves. _Flowers_ about 6 to an inflorescence, purple. _Bracts_ membranous, 1 cm. long, awned or lacerated with the awns up to 1·2 cm. long. _Perianth-tube_ 9 mm. long, cylindric in the lower half, campanulate in the upper half; lobes 1·5 cm. long, 7 mm. broad, spathulate-obovate. _Stamens_ attached to the throat of the perianth-tube; filaments 9 mm. long; anthers 1·3 cm. long, linear, eared at the base. _Ovary_ 4 mm. long, 2·5 mm. in diameter, oblong; style 1·5 cm. long, terete; stigmas 8 mm. long.

* * * * *

PLATE 60.--Fig. 1, perianth laid open; Fig. 2, bract; Fig. 3, stamen; Fig. 4, style and stigmas.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 61.

CORYCIUM CRISPUM.

_Cape Province, Little Namaqualand._

* * * * *

ORCHIDACEAE. Tribe OPHRYDEAE.

CORYCIUM, _Sw._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 683.

* * * * *

=Corycium crispum=, _Sw. in Vet. Acad. Handl. Stockh._, 1800, 222; _Bolus, Orchids of South Africa_, vol. i. t. 45; _Fl. Cap._ vol. v. sect. 3, p. 286.

* * * * *

This extremely pretty little orchid was sent to us by Mrs. E. Rood from Van Rhynsdorp in August. Though the late Dr. Bolus published a figure of this species in his “Orchids of South Africa,” we again reproduce a plate of the plant, and it is the first member of the family _Orchidaceae_ to appear in this work. The species is fairly common in the Cape Province extending from the Cape Peninsula up to Clanwilliam and Van Rhynsdorp and into Little Namaqualand. It has been known to botanical science for a considerable time, and was first described under its present name over 100 years ago.

The species belongs to the large group of terrestrial orchids which are characteristic of the south-western region of the Cape Province, the few epiphytic orchids which are found in South Africa being mostly confined to the forest regions of the Eastern Province and the Northern Transvaal.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1467).

DESCRIPTION:--_Plant_ up to 18 cm. high. _Tuber_ 3 cm. long, 1·5 cm. in diameter, egg-shaped. _Leaves_ cauline, somewhat spreading and imbricate, 8-10 cm. long, 2·5 cm. broad, linear-lanceolate to ovate, very acuminate, with undulate margins. _Inflorescence_ 9-10 cm. long, many-flowered. _Bracts_ 2 cm. long, 1·7 cm. broad, ovate, shortly acuminate, as long as the ovary. _Flowers_ sessile. _Dorsal sepal_ 8 mm. long, linear; lateral sepals connate into a bilobed limb, erect in young flowers, becoming deflexed in older flowers. _Side petals_ 8 mm. long, 6 mm. broad above, deeply concave and saccate at the base; lip adnate to the column, horizontal, with a limb 5 mm. broad from a distinct claw. _Arms of rostellum_ rounded, recurved and projecting into the concavity of the side petals.

* * * * *

PLATE 61.--Fig. 1, bract; Fig. 2, petal; Fig. 3, dorsal sepal; Fig. 4, lip; Fig. 5, ovary; Fig. 6, column showing anthers; Fig. 7, column showing stigmas; Fig. 8, side view of column.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 62.

ALOE EXCELSA.

_Rhodesia._

* * * * *

LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.

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

* * * * *

=Aloe excelsa=, _Berger in Notizblatt. Berl. Bot. Gart. u. Museums_, vol. iv. (1906) 247; _Das Pflanzenreich_, vol. iv. 38, p. 314.

* * * * *

This arborescent Aloe forms one of the most conspicuous features of the vegetation of the Matoppos in Rhodesia in July and August, when it brightens up the Kopjes with its crimson flowers. Full-grown plants vary in height from 15-20 feet, and one of their chief characteristics is the graceful recurving of the ends of the leaves. Our illustration is made from one of the many plants of this species which adorn the rockeries of the Union Buildings, and which were collected by Mr. J. Wickens on the Matoppos. The plants thrive well in Pretoria, and attract consideration through their deep carmine inflorescence. They flower in Pretoria during August and September.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium (Herb. No. 1453).

DESCRIPTION:--Aborescent up to 5-6·3 m. high. _Stems_ about 3-4 cm. in diameter. _Leaves_ crowded and forming a rosette at the end of the stem up to 0·2 m. long, 8-9 cm. broad at the base, gradually narrowing to the apex, lanceolate-ovate, acuminate, with the uppermost third gracefully recurved, deeply channelled above, convex beneath, with spines along the margin and with spines on the under surface; spines 4 mm. long, 5 mm. apart below and about 2·6 cm. apart on the upper portion of the leaf. _Inflorescence_ a panicle; peduncle 13-16 cm. long, compressed, convex on both surfaces, with a prominent ridge on either side. _Bracts_ ovate, acute, membranous. _Ultimate racemes_ 22-25 cm. long, 5·5 cm. in diameter, cylindric, densely many-flowered. _Floral-bracts_ brown, about 5 mm. long, 5 mm. broad at the base, ovate, acute. _Flowers_ subsessile; perianth-tube 1 cm. long, 5 mm. in diameter, oblong in outline; lobes 1·8 cm. long, 0·6 mm. broad, oblong, obtuse, 3-nerved, the outer with a small rostrate body just below the apex; the inner perianth-segments free to the base. _Ovary_ 5 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, oblong; style 2·7 cm. long, cylindric; stigma simple.

* * * * *

PLATE 62.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, stamens; Fig. 3, perianth-segments; Fig. 4, apices of outer and inner perianth-segments; Fig. 5, flower; Fig. 6, bract; Fig. 7, leaf; Fig. 8, transverse section of leaf.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 63.

GLADIOLUS ALATUS, _var._ NAMAQUENSIS.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

GLADIOLUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.

* * * * *

=Gladiolus alatus, var. namaquensis=, _Baker in Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 159; _G. namaquensis, Ker. in Bot. Mag._ t. 592.

* * * * *

This plant is a variety of the Cape “Kalkoentje” (_Gladiolus alatus_), and might conveniently be called the “Namaqua Kalkoentje.” This particular variety has been known for almost 200 years, and in the Banksian Herbarium in the British Museum is a well-preserved specimen which was collected by Masson in Namaqualand. A figure of the plant prepared from specimens which flowered in England was published in the _Botanical Magazine_ in 1801.

In the veld groups of plants are usually found together, each forming a corm which has developed as an offshoot from the parent corm. This character would render the plant easy of propagation.

We are indebted to Mrs. E. Rood of van Rhynsdorp for specimens which were received by the Division of Botany in September, 1921. They are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1468).

DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ covered with fibrous tunics. _Stem_ with a basal sheath 2·5-3·5 cm. long. _Leaves_ four, decreasing in size upwards; the outermost leaf 13-15 cm. long, 2·5-3 cm. broad; upper leaves 7-12 cm. long, ·5-2·1 cm. broad, all lanceolate, acuminate, clasping and equitant at the base, 5-nerved, with reddish margins; the innermost almost wholly clasping. _Visible peduncle_ about 11 cm. long, 3-flowered. _Outer-bracts_ 4 cm. long, 2 cm. broad, boat-shaped, acuminate, sharply keeled, with keel and margins reddish-brown; inner similar to the outer but bifid at the apex. _Perianth-tube_ 1 cm. long, cylindric below, campanulate above; upper segments 2·5 cm. long, 2·2 cm. broad, ovate, subacuminate; 2 lower segments 2 cm. long, 5 mm. broad above, obovate, narrowed into a long linear claw; the lowermost segment 1·1 cm. broad, ovate, subacuminate. _Filaments_ 1·5 cm. long, cylindric; anthers 1·3 cm. long, linear. _Ovary_ 8 mm. long, 2·5 mm. in diameter, narrowly ellipsoid; style 3 cm. long, filiform; lobes 5 mm. long, linear, slightly broadened above, rounded and bifid at the apex.

* * * * *

PLATE 63.--Fig. 1, corm; Fig. 2, lower perianth-segment; Fig. 3, lateral perianth segment; Fig. 4, stamens, front and side view; Fig. 5, style and stigmas.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 64.

GAZANIA PYGMAEA.

_Transvaal._

* * * * *

COMPOSITAE. Tribe ARCTOTIDEAE.

GAZANIA, _Gaertn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 459.

* * * * *

=Gazania pygmaea=, _Sond. in Linnaea_, vol. xxiii. p. 69; _Fl. Cap._ vol. iii. p. 478.

* * * * *

During the month of September the veld round Pretoria is carpeted with the white flowers of this little _Gazania_. It is one of the first, if not the first plant to flower on burnt veld, and the contrast in colour between the white flowers and the young green grass is very striking. While so extremely common during the spring months, this species appears to be little known botanically. It was evidently first collected by the botanist Karl Zeyher on the Magaliesberg about the year 1841, and the description in the _Flora Capensis_ based on Zeyher’s specimen is the most recent published information we have about this species. The plants are tufted, several underground stems arising from a stout tap-root.

The present plate was prepared from specimens collected by Mr. D. Fouche on the outskirts of Pretoria. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION:--Acaulescent plants with several subterranean stems from the apex of the deep tap-root. _Leaves_ crowded, radical, 2·5-6·5 cm. long, 3-5 mm. broad, linear, with an acute callous at the apex, attenuated at the base, somewhat channelled above, hispid on the upper surface, woolly-canescent beneath except on the midrib, entire, spinulose-ciliate. _Heads_ many to each root. _Peduncle_ about 3·5 cm. long, sparsely woolly, especially beneath the involucre, or subglabrous. _Involucral-tube_ 7 mm. long, 6 mm. in diameter, turbinate; lobes in 4 rows; outer lobes 6 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, linear, obtuse, spinulose-ciliate; inner lobes 4 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, ovate, obtuse with reddish-brown membranous margins. _Ray-florets_ neuter, white with a purplish band beneath; corolla tube 7 mm. long, cylindric; limb 1·7 mm. long, 4·5 mm. broad, lanceolate, bifid at the apex, with each lobe minutely 2-toothed, about 7-nerved and distinctly 2-keeled beneath. _Disc-florets_ hermaphrodite; corolla-tube 6 mm. long, subcylindric, somewhat 5-angled, glabrous; lobes 1·5 mm. long, ·5 mm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse. _Pappus_ of hyaline linear scales 1·5 mm. long. _Ovary_ covered with long silky hairs; style 7 mm. long, cylindric (lengthening with age); stigmas ·75 long, linear, obtuse.

* * * * *

PLATE 64.--Fig. 1, young flower head; Fig. 2, section through involucre; Fig. 3, flower head just before opening; Fig. 4, surface view of flower head; Fig. 5, corolla of ray-florets; Fig. 6, disc floret; Fig. 7, leaf; all variously enlarged.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 65.

ORNITHOGALUM THUNBERGIANUM.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.

ORNITHOGALUM, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 815.

* * * * *

=Ornithogalum Thunbergianum=, _Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc._ vol. xiii. p. 269; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 497.

* * * * *

_Ornithogalum Thunbergianum_, the “Yellow Chinkerichee,” is found in the Malmesbury, Paarl, and Van Rhynsdorp Districts of Cape Province. It was found by Carl Thunberg at Saldana Bay about the year 1772, and named by him _O. maculatum_, but as this specific name had already been given to a plant figured by Jacquin, the late Mr. Baker redescribed the species here dealt with and named it after Thunberg, although there is some doubt as to whether the plant figured by Jacquin is specifically distinct from _O. Thunbergianum_.

The perianth is a beautiful “flame scarlet” colour with a black mark at the tip of the three outer segments. The species should be grown by all lovers of our native flora, and would well repay cultivation.

We are indebted to Mrs. E. Rood, Van Rhynsdorp, for specimens which enabled us to prepare the present plate. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1469).

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 2-3 cm. long, 2-3 cm. in diameter, ovoid or compressed-globose, covered with thin membranous tunics. _Leaves_ withering at time of flowering, 5-10 cm. long, 1 cm. broad below, ovate-linear, tapering to an acute apex, glabrous, glaucous-green. _Peduncle_ 12-38 cm. long, terete, rigid, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ 2-6-flowered. _Bracts_ membranous, 2·3-2·5 cm. long, linear-oblong, acuminate, more or less clasping and equalling the pedicel. _Pedicels_ 1·7 cm. long, terete, the lower somewhat arcuate. _Perianth segments_ 2-2·3 long, ·8-1 cm. broad; the outer obovate-oblanceolate, subacute, with a black mark at the apex; the inner ovate-lanceolate. _Filaments_ 7 mm. long, cylindric, slightly narrowing above; anthers 3 mm. long. _Ovary_ 8 mm. long, 5 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid; style 2 mm. long; stigma trigonous.

* * * * *

PLATE 65.--Fig. 1, stamens; Fig. 2, gynaecium; Fig. 3, bract.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

PLATE 66.

FERRARIA ANTHEROSA.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

IRIDACEAE. Tribe MOROEEAE.

FERRARIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 692.

* * * * *

=Ferraria antherosa=, _Ker. in Bot. Mag._ 751; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 29.

* * * * *

Our species was first figured in Curtis’ _Botanical Magazine_ in 1804 from a plant which was raised in Salisbury’s garden at Brompton, England. It is not at all a well-known plant, as it is only recorded in the _Flora Capensis_ as having been collected by Zeyher in the Clanwilliam District, and by Ecklon at Groenkloof in the Malmesbury District. The plant from which our plate was prepared was sent to the Division of Botany, Pretoria, by Mrs. E. Rood from Van Rhynsdorp. The genus _Ferraria_ is represented in South Africa by six species, and by one species in Angola. The flowers last only for a very short time after opening, but a succession of flowers appears on each plant. None of the species can be called ornamental from a gardener’s point of view, but the structure of the flower is very beautiful and the colouring quaint. Plants would only be grown as a botanical curiosity, and not for their beauty. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1471).