335 



of Sebaea, it seems possible that the explanation offered above may 

 be the true one. Both in S. spathulata and 8. Thodeana the 

 corolla is of a somewhat fleshy nature, and is of a texture unlike 

 that usually met with in the genus. 



Sebaea (Pentandria) Thomasii, Schinz [Gentianaceae-Exaceae] 

 m Bui]. Herb. Boiss., ser. II., iii., 1906, 743 ; descr. emend, et 

 ampl., A. W. Hill. 



Species distinctissima, nulli arete affinis, habitu procumbens vel 

 more Gentianae floribus conspicuis solitariis stylo breve insignis. 



Perennis vel biennis, procumbens. Caulis ramosus, repens, 

 ahquanto radicibus e nodis instructus, 12-22 cm. longus vel adscen- 

 dens, 1-4 cm. altus. Folia opposita, numerosa, nunc sparsa, inter- 

 nodis -6-1-2 cm. longis, nunc congesta, rosulata more Gentianae 

 vernae,L., ovata vel orbiculari-ovata, -8-1-4 cm. longa, 4 mm.-l-2 cm. 

 lata, obtusa vel subacuta, paullo apiculata, coriacea, supra vernicosa. 

 * lores plerumque solitarii terminales. Calyx 1-1-1-2 cm. longus, 



segmentiserectiselliptico-lanceolatisacuminatiscrassecarinatisinfra 

 in tubum brevem connatis. Corollae tubus cylindricus, 1-2-2-2 cm. 

 longus ; lobi 1-0-1-3 cm. longi, 6-8 mm. lati, ovato-unguieulati, 

 acuti. Filamenta 1 mm. loDga, infra sinos corollae 3-6 mm. 

 mserta ; antherae 2*5-3 mm. longae, apice glandnla llava stipitata 



o 1 ? lrn ' l° n £ a - Das ^ glandulis duabus minoribus instructae. 



Stylus circiter 4 mm. longus, stigmate clavato, 2-3*5 mm. longo ; 

 apice staminum insertionem hand attingente. Capsula ovoidea. 

 oemina parva. 



Parasia Thomasii, S. L. Moore in Journ. Bot., xxxix., 1001, 

 260, et in Journ. Bot., xlv., 1907, 154. 



Cape Colony. Fort Beaufort Div. : top of the Winterberg 

 Range, Frascr I 



Orange River Colony. Mont aux Sources, in damp places, 



10000 ft,, Flanaaan (in Herb 



partly t without precise locality, Pateshall Thomas ! 



Natal. 



;., Wylie (in Herb. Wood) 

 Wylie (in Herb. Wood) 

 (in Herb. Bolus\ 4882, 



This species is the most distinct member of the genus Sebaea 

 and in general appearance hardly suggests that it should be placet! 

 in the genus. It is a very variable plant, with either long procum- 

 bent stems rooting at the nodes, or forming small rosettes very 

 similar in appearance to plants of Gentiana verna, and in either 

 case the shoots are terminated by a single flower (rarely two 

 flowers). The flower, however, is similar to that of S. spathulata, 

 kteud., both as regards the position of the anthers with their large 

 apical glands, which are yellow, and in the style, the apex of which 

 is situated at some distance below the base of the anthers. It seems 

 possible that in this species the normal stigma characteristic of 

 sebaea is not properly developed. In spite, therefore, of its singular 

 appearance the plant must be placed in the genus Sebaea. It may 

 be considered to be the most peculiar of the interesting group of 

 creeping and rosette-forming species which have been collected on 

 the borders of Natal and the Orange River Colony. 



33407 



B-? 



