272 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS, 



is esculent, bearing oval leaves. From among these 

 rises the peduncle branching above, and carrying two 

 rows of white bracts. In the axils of these are two 

 coloured sepals, six to eighteen stamens, and from three 

 to five carpels, which become follicles in fruit (Fig. 

 107, I.). (II.) is a seed with the embryo just beginning 

 to germinate. 



This is the only genus of the tribe to* which it 

 belongs. One species, formerly 

 regarded as a separate genus 

 (Ozmrrm'^r a), growing in Mada- 

 gascar, is remarkable for having 

 the leaf full of holes, in con- 

 sequence of the green tissue 

 not being formed within the 

 little squares made by the 

 " ribs " and " veins " of the 

 leaf, which go to make the so- 

 called " skeleton." Other species are found in tropical 

 Asia and temperate Australia. 



The top of the peduncles, boiled, are eaten. A. 

 distach'yon is the commonest of the three South African 

 species. All the other genera are probably introductions 

 from Europe. 



The flowers of Ajponoge'ton illustrate a feature 

 common in the family, namely, of degradation. Several 

 have either a dwarfed perianth or none at all. This is, 

 presumably, the result of an aquatic life. 



Fig. 101 .—Aponoge'ton. I. Flower, 

 II. Embryo commencing tc 

 germinate. 



