— 309 — 



Only in F. strida Jacobi 1869 p. 171 — 74 the bulbils are mentioned 

 in the following words: . . . "sehr zahlreiche ogi- 

 vale, theils seitlich etwas plattgedriickte, theils un- 

 scheinbar stumpflich dreikantige Bulben", 



I think it probable that the bulbils of all species of Furcraea 

 hitherto known, F. stricta only excepted, are terete, bulb-like, as 

 possible deviations from that shape would certainly have been 

 noticed by the authors. 



F. stricta resembles in many points F. stratiotes, though 

 distinct differences are present. F. stricta is mentioned by Drum- 

 mond (1907 p. 57) as being closely related to or even identical 

 with F. elegans Todaro or F. macrophylla Hook. I am of opinion 

 that Drummond is wrong here. I contend that F. stricta ought 

 doubtlessly to be referred to Drummond's group A. Minores 

 together with F. undiilata. Unfortunately it will certainly be 

 impossible ever completely to elucidate F. stricta (cfr. Drum- 

 mond 1907 p. 57). 



I think that the species allied to F. stratiotes may be grouped 

 thus when employing Drummond's system as shown in the follow- 

 ing key: Sect. II. Spinosae. 

 A. Minores. 



a. Bulbils terete, 15 — .30 leaves in the rosette 



F. iindulata Jacobi 

 {F. albispina Baker?) 



b. Bulbils more or less compressed, 30 — 50 leaves 

 in the rosette. 



1. Bulbils slightly compressed, leaves rough below. 

 Flowers large, about 30 leaves in the rosette (fide 

 Baker 1888 p. 201) F. stricta Jacobi 



2. Bulbils very compressed, leaves smooth on both 

 surfaces, flowers minute, about 50 leaves in the 

 rosette F. stratiotes n. sp. 



The terete, bulb-like bulbils is certainly a characteristic com- 

 mon to all the species of the group B. Giganteae. Of the species 

 of this group F. ciibensis probably approaches nearest to F. stra- 

 tiotes. F. cuhensis however distinctly differs mainly by 1) the 

 terete, bulb-like bulbils, 2) the flowers being twice as large, 3) the 

 broader leaves and 4) the simple spines in the margin of the 

 leaves. 



The Botanical Museum of the University. Copenhagen. Febr. 1921. 



