Tas, 7771. 
STAPELTA nosittts. 
Native of South Africa. 
Nat. Ord. Ascrmptapea.—Tribe STapEnie x. 
Genus Srapetia, Linn.; (Benth. & Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii, p. 784.) 
Srareria (Tridentea) nobilis; caule decumbente basi ramoso tetragono 
_ ohereaag angulis dentatis faciebus concavis, foliornm rudimentis 
entibus insertis >; poll. longis erectis ovatis acutis puberulis, floribus 
solitariis binisve basin versus ramulorum insertis, pedunculo crasso polli- 
cari velutino, sepalis } poll. longis ovato-lanceolatis acutis velutinis, 
corolla ampla extus rubro-purpurea puberula intus ochracea pilis longis 
laxe villosa et lineis sanguineis trabeculata, tubo campanulato 14 poll. 
diam., lobis 23 poll. longis ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis reflexis pilis 
purpureis ciliatis, coronz exterioris brunneo-purpuree lobis } poll. longis 
ascendentibus linearibus 3-dentatis glabris, interioris lobis insqualiter 
bipartitis segmentis subulatis triquetris suberectis. 
S. nobilis, N.#. Br. mas. 
Mr. N. E. Brown, from whose description of this plant, 
prepared for the forthcoming part of the Kew Bulletin, 
‘the above is taken, says that it is closely allied to 
S. gigantea (tab. 7068) ; differing in the stems not being 
so stout, and their angles much less compressed. The 
flowers are similar in colour, but those of S. nobilis are 
much smaller, have a distinctly campanulate tube, and are 
more hairy within. 
The plant here figured was sent to the Royal Gardens, 
Kew, in 1897, by Mr. T. G. Griffiths of Port Elizabeth, 
Cape Colony, but of its exact native habitat I have no 
information. It flowered in the Succulent House in May, 
1900. 
Deser.—Stem decumbent, branched at the base, about two- 
thirds of an inch in diameter, pubescent, four-angled; angles 
toothed, their faces concave. Leaves rudimentary, erect, 
inserted on the teeth of the angles, about one-twelfth of 
an inch long, ovate, acute, puberulous. Flowers solitary, 
or two on the lower part of the branches; peduncle an 
inch long, stout, velvety. Sepals about one-fourth of an 
inch long, ovate, acute, velvety. Corolla large, red-purple 
externally, internally villous with long hairs, ochraceous, 
Aprit Ist, 1901. 
