' 
'I 
t 
r 
'i 
3 
THE TWO-ROWED APONOGETE 
himclred blossoms as fine as those represented. Innumerable seedling plants arise around tlieir 
Oriuioud we are also indebted for the specimens, and for the following history of his 
Mr 
parents. 
ac{|uisition of the plant : 
and 
" About three years since a root was given me the size of a shot, wliich I planted in a small pan 
sprung 
The 
runninsr, and, in the severest winter 
freezes. 
yj 
The species is common 
itions it thus : 
Mr 
" The flowering tops of the Aponogeton distachyon, a pretty white-flowered floating plant, 
frequent in pools of water in various parts of the colony, are sometimes used both as a pickle and as 
asrus 
f9 
Residertce at the Cape^ p. 208. 
In appearance this resembles a Pondweed {Votamogeton natcms), except that it is of a clear green 
any tinc^e of brown. Its bulb (or corm) is described as being as large as a hen^s t^^. 
without 
The leaves float on the surface of the water, are oblong, about 18 inches long when full grown, flat, 
and have tln-ee distinct veins running parallel with the main rib. When young their sides are rolled 
inwards. The flowers are placed on a forked inflorescence, originally included within a taper-pointed 
calypt 
Wlien fully 
the inflorescence is very pale green, and is bordered by two rows of large ovate-oblong obtuse ivory 
white bracts, in the axils of which stand the minute flowers. The latter are bisexual, and destitute of 
both calyx and corolla. Twelve hypogynous free stamens, with dark purple anthers, surround from 
four to six distinct carpels, each of wliich has a short curved style, a simple minute stigma, and six 
erect anatropal ovules. After flowering the bracts and inflorescence grow rapidly, acquire a deep 
colour, and soon resemble tufts of leaves, amoner which lie in abundance 
D 
albuminous 
four seeds each, and readily tearing at the sides. 
The embryo is an oblong fleshy body, slit on ' one 
throudi the slit the plumule is nuslied. while the 
.mn 
tact with moisture. 
These details sufficiently 
is with Potamoi^eton, 
with 
imagined. 
;i 
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L y I 
w.*^^^L-i 
