I. B. Pole Evans

“ The species illustrated, while it does not equal its Cape congener in the size of its flowers, is a charming little plant when seen growing. It differs from the closely allied genus Hessea (see Plate 43) in having dorsifixed instead of basifixed anthers, and belongs to a small group of species in the genus Nerine which have the anthers appendiculate at the base. The species has been successfully grown in the National Botanic Gardens at Kirstenbosch, near Cape Town, and was described by Mrs. L. Bolus from specimens which flowered at Kirstenbosch. ”

“ In its natural habitat the species is found as a creeper in woods, and the bright-orange corolla with a dark maroon throat gives the flower a singularly beautiful effect. The plant grows readily under cultivation, and makes a fine trellis creeper, but in colder countries it requires the protection of a glass-house. ”

“ On Plate 32 of this work we figured a species of Haemanthus (H. natalensis) which differs from the present species in having the involucral-bracts erect instead of spreading. Haemanthus Katharinae, with its spreading involucral-bracts and perianth-segments, is unique in this respect amongst the South African species of the genus. On the inflorescence figured was an odd flower with 8 perianth-lobes and 8 stamens. ”

“ This Aloe was first collected and photographed by Dr. Pole Evans at Nelspruit in September 1905. In the Nelspruit Valley (Barberton District) the plant is found chiefly on the granite outcrops, and in similar localities at Eland’s Hoek and in the Kaap Valley, where it was collected by Mr. Geo. Thorncroft. Like most of our Transvaal aloes, it flowers in mid-winter (July) , and the flowering period extends well into August. Aloe petricola is one of the stemless species, and the bicoloured inflorescence makes it quite a striking plant in the rockery. ”

“ Schönland includes species with a suffructicose, mostly robust habit, with the lobes of the corolla usually longer than the tube, glandular flowers, and with a tuft of hairs at the base of the filaments where they join the corolla. ”

“ The single species of this genus is endemic to South Africa, and has a wide distribution. In the south-west it is known as far as Swellendam, whence it ranges through the forests to Natal and the Transvaal. Mr. Galpin has recorded the plant from the summit of Saddleback Mountain, at 4500 to 5000 ft., where it occurs as a shrub 8 ft. high. It is somewhat variable, the corolla differing much in size, and the length and hairiness of the style fluctuates, perhaps due to sexual differences. The calyx lobes are either 5 or 6 on the same plant. ”

“ The species on the accompanying plate is another of this group, and should be compared with C. Rendalii and C. tristis (Plate 44) .
The original description and plate appeared in the Botanical Magazine in 1869, and were based on specimens sent to Kew by Mr. Sanderson in 1868, and which subsequently flowered there. The plant lends itself very well to cultivation in the green-house, and is an object of beauty and curiosity when in flower. It does not appear to have been extensively collected, and may not be very common. In its native habitat it flowers during the month of February. ”

“ This species is, so far as we know, confined to the dry western portions of the Cape Province, S.W. Protectorate, Transvaal, and Orange Free State. Burchell found the plant both in Griqualand West and in Bechuanaland, and Burke on his journey up to the Transvaal found it near the Sand River in the Orange Free State. In habit the species very much resembles a dwarf Brunsvigia, but is distinguished from this genus by the obtusely angled ovary. The short stout peduncle is also found in two other species of Nerine. ”

“ Flowers solitary, more rarely 2-nate. Perianth-tube with a narrow-cylindric lower portion 1·5 cm. long, broadening out into a funnel-shaped portion 2 cm. long and 1·3 cm. in diameter{160} at the throat; lobes 2 cm. long, 7 to 9 mm. broad, oblong, bluntly apiculate, with a very small tuft of glandular hairs on the apex of three of them. Stamens all arising from the base of the widened portion of the perianth-tube; filaments of unequal lengths and attached to the perianth-tube for different distances, giving the stamens the appearance of being in two rows; anthers oblong, versatile. ”

“ It is a fairly widely distributed species, being found as far south as Somerset East, and spreading northward through the eastern parts of the Cape Province into Natal, Zululand, Basutoland, Swaziland and to Broken Hill, N.W. Rhodesia. The same yellow colour of the flowers is found in species of Cyrtanthus, but specimens with white flowers have been recorded.
The species does quite well in cultivation, and in its native habitat thrives in swampy and marshy ground. ”

“ M. argentea, up to the time of the publication of the Flora Capensis, was only known from specimens collected by Roxburgh, Masson and Niven over one hundred years ago, and it was only recently that the species was rediscovered. In May 1923, Mr. A. T. Prentice collected specimens near Villiersdorp, very probably in the same locality visited by Masson. Mr. Prentice writes: “They were found on the slopes of the south (i.e. Villiersdorp) side of French Hoek Peak about 3000 ft. There were about 50 trees, 3-6 ft. high, and the habit is different from most of the Proteaceae I have noticed. ”

“ Inflorescence axillary 1-to 3-flowered; bracteoles 2, 1 to 2·5 cm. long, 1 to 1·3 cm. broad, lanceolate, acute, prominently 3-veined; peduncle 2 to 4 cm. long, glabrous. Calyx-tube 2 mm. long; lobes ovate. Corolla{112} salver-shaped; tube 2 to 3·5 cm. long, curved, much inflated from near the base, sparsely pubescent; lobes 1 to 1·3 cm. long, ovate. Stamens inserted on the corolla-tube; filaments filiform, thickened towards the base; anther-cells bearded, one cell in each of the two larger anthers spurred at the base. ”

“ Leaves up to 5 cm. long, 3 cm. broad, obovate, rounded at the apex, produced into a short broad petiole, articulated to the branches, glabrous. Inflorescence terminal, in large lax cymose panicles. Calyx campanulate, with very short lobes. Petals 1 cm. long, 2·5 mm. broad, oblong, with a small apiculus at the apex. Stamens 5, alternating with the petals; filaments 5·5 mm. long, linear, tapering upwards; anthers more or less crescent-shaped. Hypogynous glands oblong, rounded above. Carpels 5, free; ovary ellipsoid; style 3 mm. long, terete; stigma small, capitate.{148} ”

“ Burchellia bubalina is known locally as “Buffels-hoorn” (not “Buffelsdoorn”) , on account of the horn-like calyx lobes, which persist on the fruit. The bright-red flowers give rise to the name “Wild pomegranate,” or “Wilde granaat.” ”

“ Lachenalia pendula is a robust species of the genus, and is easily cultivated. It flowers freely under cultivation, and makes a very effective display.
Our plate was prepared from specimens grown by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., from bulbs supplied by Lady Smartt.
Description:—Bulb globose, 3·5 cm. in diameter, covered with thin membranous white tunics. Leaves 2, clasping the base of the stem, up to 16 cm. long, up to 6 cm. broad below the middle, ovate, bluntly apiculate. Peduncle (including the flowers) up to 27 cm. long, 8 mm. in diameter, terete. Bracts small, broadly ovate, membranous. ”

“ Flowers racemose, numerous, 2 to 3 cm. long; racemes terminal, simple, subcorymbose and rather dense at first, afterwards elongating and rather lax, deep purple, 4 to 30 cm. long; pedicels divaricate or ascending, glandular-pilose, moderately rigid, 1-flowered, alternate, 6 to 8 mm. long, the upper crowded; bracts basal, sublinear, solitary or subfasciculate.{48} Calyx glandular-hispid, deeply 5-lobed, 6 to 8 mm. long; segments linear-oblong or spathulate or sublinear, obtuse. ”

“ This common and characteristic Protea of the Drakensbergen we figure here for the first time. It appears to have been originally collected by Burke and Zeyher on the Magaliesberg, and was described by Meisner and named after Mrs. Rouppell, who published an illustrated book of Cape flowers. ”

“ Notwithstanding its showy nature, it escaped the notice of the old collectors in Natal and the Transkei.
The species is worth the attention of horticulturists, and should find greater favour among growers who cultivate our native plants.
Description:—A shrub 20 to 50 cm. high. Branches glabrous or thinly hairy. Leaves 4 to 9 cm. long, 4 to 7 cm. broad, decussate, oblong or elliptic, acute, cordate or sub-hastate at the base, subentire or sinuate-toothed, slightly scabrous on both surfaces, with the veins prominent beneath; petiole 3 to 6 mm. long. ”

“ The flower spikes all stick straight up, in fact it grows like the advertised type of pruned apple-tree.” Mr. R. Hallack came across the species on the Hottentot Holland Mountains, and in June last Mr. T. P. Stokoe also collected it on the same mountain range. He had noted the plant two years previously, but was unable to obtain it in flower. It is from specimens forwarded by Mr. Stokoe that the present Plate was prepared.{36}
Description:—Shrub 4 ft. high; branches velvety-tomentose. ”

“ Peduncle stout, 25 cm. long, clothed with broad ovate shortly cuspidate green empty bracts. Raceme more or less capitate. Bracts 20 mm. long, 15 mm. broad, ovate, acute. Pedicels 25 mm. long. Perianth peach-red to scarlet, greenish towards the apex, 26-30 mm. long, 12 mm. in diameter, straight, very markedly 3-angled, contracted towards the mouth; segments free. Style and stamens not or scarcely exserted (National Herb. 2743) .{20} ”