A NOTE ON THE POLLINATION OF CYANELLA 



CAP EN SIS, LINN.* 



By Edwin Percy Phillips, M.A., D.Sc, F.L.S. 



{Read, July 9, 191 8.) 



The structure of the flower of Cyanella capensis suggested 

 that some interesting facts might be obtained as regards the 

 polHnation by keeping a number of the plants under observation. 

 On December 4th five plants were brought in to the herbarium 

 and placed in jars of fresh water. All stages in the develop- 

 ment of the flower were shown from the young bud to the faded 

 flower. 



Before proceeding to the discussion of the pollination, a 

 ■'ef description of the flower is necessary. The perianth con- 

 sists of six members in two whorls. The anterior segment 

 belongs to the outer whorl ; it is a boat-shaped structure and the 

 largest of the segments : the other two members of the outer 

 whorl are similar in shape but smaller, and not so concave. The 

 posterior segment belongs to the inner whorl, and is similar to 

 its two lateral members. The androecium consists of six stamens, 

 which may be divided into three groups. The first group is 

 made up of three stamens opposite the posterior perianth- 

 segment, and the two lateral segments of the outer whorl respec- 

 tively : these stamens are almost terete, bent in the middle at an 

 angle of about 60°, and open by a single terminal pore. Opposite 

 the lateral segments of the inner perianth-w'horl are the stamens 

 of the second group, similar in shape to those described above, 

 but are curved rather than bent. They dehisce by a terminal 

 slit, and according to the age of the flower their tips may or may 

 not project beyond a vertical, line drawn through the apices of 

 the uppermost stamens. At the front of the flower, opposite 

 to and lying in the concavity of the anterior perianth-segment, is 

 a stamen whose anther is totally different to those of the other 

 five. It is an oblong body dehiscing by two terminal slits. 

 Almost in the same plane as the lateral stamens is the style with 

 three very short stigmas. 



The flower is protandrous, the anthers opening in the bud 

 and exposing the pollen. In buds just about to open, the anthers 

 are all erect ; the style lies on the anterior anther, and is curved 

 upwards near the tip, and at this stage the three stigmas are 

 clearly visible. f The style in younger buds is quite straight, and 

 is closely surrounded by the five anthers. At first the buds are 

 vertical but gradually assume a horizontal position, and finally 



* These observations were made at the herbarium of the South 

 African Museum, Capetown, in 1913. 



t The stigma is not capitate as described in the " Flora Capensis." 



