ge ag 
Tas. 5784, 
PTERODISCUS LURIDUS. 
Lurid-flowered Pterodiseus. 
Nat. Ord. Peparinem.—Dipynam1a ANGIOSPERMIA. 
"Gen. Char. (Vide supra, Tas. 41 17.) 
Preropiscus luridus ; caudice obconico, ramis brevibus foliisque subtus 
pulvereis, foliis vix petiolatis lineari-oblongis semi-pinnatifidis segmentis 
ovatis obtusis, sinubus latis rotundatis, glandulis ad basin petiolorum 
sessilibus vertice depressis, corolla ‘flavo-fusca, tubo lato lente curvo 
inferne gibbo, fauce paulo constricto, ore transverse oblongo, lobis 
brevibus retusis. 
i 
One of the most remarkable botanical features of the drier 
districts of South Africa, is the presence of plants of various 
natural families possessing short stout tuberous stems or 
caudices, rising a few inches above the ground, and sending 
forth from their crowns, on the approach of the wet season, a 
few stout herbaceous, succulent, leafy, flowering-branches : 
such are species of Vitis, of Composite, Asclepiadee, Apocynee, 
Convolvulacee, Pedalinee, and probably many other orders. 
These have repeatedly been sent to this country, where they 
have been too often regarded as dead sticks, or if they have 
been planted they have been killed with kindness ; in other 
words, they were either watered to death, or kept in damp 
stoves till they rotted away. Happily a different system of 
treatment has lately been introduced, and we may soon ex- 
pect to see these curious and interesting things brought more 
largely into cultivation. They flourish best in a moderately 
warm house, planted in a poor soil, amongst stones, &c., and 
exposed to the full light of the sun. The present example 
of this form of vegetation is a native of the Albany district 
of Cape Colony, and was sent to the Royal Gardens from 
those of Graham’s Town, along with many other interesting 
plants. It flowered in July, 1868, and though equally 
JULY Isr, 1869, 
