142 



ORDER CXC. TYPHACE^. 



A small family of aquatic or marsh plants, containing two genera, 

 Typha being the only two represented in Natal, and it is represented 

 by one species only so far as known at present. The popular name of 

 this plant is " Bulrush." The Order includes about 16 species. 



Flowers in dense cylindrical heads " Bulrushes," Typha. 



List of Species. 

 1 Typha, Linn, 

 capensis, Rohrh. A-B. 



natalensis, A. 



ORDER CXCI. AROIDEiE. 



The largest number of these plants are found in tropical and 

 sub-tropical climates, but few occurring in colder countries. Many of 

 the species possess acrid properties, and some have been used 

 medicinally. What is known as "Tonga," and used as a remedy in 

 neuralgia is prepared from the leaves of Epipremnum mirabile, a 

 native of Fiji, where its medicinal properties have been long known. 

 The tubers of some of the species are used as food, the " Taro " of the 

 Pacific Islands is Colocasia antiquorum, and the "Madumbi"of the 

 natives is a species of Colocasia, probably also ('. antiquornm Many 

 species are cultivated for their ornamental foliage, snch as the 

 Alocasias, Anthuriums, ('aladiums, Dieffenbachias, &c. The fruits of 

 Monstera delirio^d are much esteemed in some countries, but do not 

 appear to find much favour in Natal. 



Number of species about 900. 



Tall herbs with widely opening spathes. Riohardia, 



Low herbs with green scarcely oj)ening spathes. Stylochiton. 



Floating herbs with rosulate sessile leaves. PisiiA. 



List of Species, 



1 Pistia, Linn, 3 Richardia, Kunth. 



stratiotes, Liim. A. africana, Kunth. A-E. 



albomaculata, Hook. A-C. 



hastata. Hook. BE. 



2 Stylochiton, Leprieur. melanoleuca, HA;. /. B-C. 

 natalense, Srhott. A-B. Rehmanni, Engl. D-E. 



var. D-E. 



ORDER CXCIL LEMNACE^. 



A small family of minute plants which are found floating on the 

 surface of still water, and which sink to the bottom during the winter 

 months ; the leaves or fronds are very minute, and often cover the 

 wdiole surface of the pool in which they are found. 



Number of species about 20. 



