33 
WELWITSCHII ITER ANGOLENSE. 
(^Continued from Vol. II, p. 339.) 
II._HEDERACEiE NOV^ A CL. DR. WELWITSCH IN AFRICA 
^QUINOCTIALI OCCIDENTALI LECTiE, AUCTORE DR. B. 
SEEMANN. 
(Plate XXYI.) 
Hederacece 
Maralia^ Thouars, Adropanax, Seem., Grotefendia^ Seem. {Botryo- 
dendron, Miq.) , Gasio7iia, Coram., SciadopanaXy Seem., Cusso7na, 
Thunb., and Ilydrocoiyle, Limi., and from the tropical parts of the west 
coast we know only two woody species {Jstropanax Manni, Seem,, 
and A. elatum. Seem.), wliich have a natural ally in A. Ahymnicum 
{Aralia Abysainlca, Hochst.). To these the indefatigable Dr. Wei- 
witsch has made a valuable addition by the discovery of a new genus, 
which I propose to name Sphmrodendron, in alhi^ion to the perfectly 
round crown of the tree (see Tig. 1 of our Plate). This feature is so 
striking that on account of it, Spharodendron is planted as a boundary 
tree of fields, a purpose for which its ready and quick growth otherwise 
well qualifies it,* According to Dr. Welwitsch this species often 
grows gregariously, and even forms entire woods, the singular aspect 
of which one of his sketches enables me to realize. Tlie wood is hard, 
tough, and durable, and serves for many useful purposes. 
Sphmrodendron differs from Cussonia by its non-ruminate albumen, 
from Nolhopanax by its inarticulate pedicels, from Telrapnnax by its 
dry fruit, and from Sciadopanax by its evittate fruit and inarticulate 
pedicels. The following generic characters have been drawn up from a 
fine set of specimens and copious notes, kiudly placed at my disposal 
by the discoverer. 
Sph^rodendron (gen. nov.), Seem. Pedicelli articulati. Plores 
ecalyculati, hermaphroditi. Calyx tubo ovato, limbo minute 5-den- 
tato, Petala 5, ovato-triangnlaria, 1-nervia, apice incurvula, libera, 
cestivatione valvata. Stamina 5, petalis alterna; filamenta filiformia, 
anthers ovatse. Ovarium inferum, 2-loculare, loculis 1-ovulatis. 
* In the Isthmus of Panama and about Carthagena, Sciadodendron excel- 
sum, Griseb. Bonplandia, 3858, p. 7, a remarkable Jraliacea, is used ibr 
dU 
our Willows do. 
[ 
D 
