Plate 2529. 



PENTZIA VIRGATA, Less. 



Composite. Tribe Axthemide^e. 



P. virgata, Less. Syn. Camp. p. 266 ; P. globosa? affinis, differt 

 involucri squamis obtusis. 



Frutex 6-12 poll, altus, ramosissimus. Rami canescentes. Folia 

 alterna, parva, 1-5 lin. longa, |~3 lin. lata, pinnatisecta vel trifida, 

 canescentia ; lobi utrinque 2-3, lineares, obtusi. Capitula ad apices 

 ramulorum solitaria, breviter pedunculata, 2-4 lin. diam., multitiora, 

 discoidea. Involucri bractece pluriseriatse, interiores gradatim longiores, 

 1-1^ lin. longa?, \- J lin. latae, oblonga?, obtusae, carinatse, marginibus 

 scariosae. Corolla tubulosa, subconipressa, supra medium parum 

 dilatata, brevissime 5-dentata, glandulosa. Pappus \ lin. longus, 

 oblique tubulosus, antice fissus, irregulariter dentatus. Achamia 

 § lin. longa, obliqua. — P. cotuloides, DC. Prod. vi. p. 138. Chrysan- 

 themum incanum, Thunb. Fl. Cap. ed. Schult. p. 693. 



South Africa : common, especially in dry regions, from Little 

 Namaqualand and Worcester Division to Albany and the Orange Free 

 State. 



This is much relished by sheep, and valuable as a fodder plant in dry, 

 hot countries where few other plants will succeed. It is said to impart 

 a peculiar and agreeable flavour to mutton. For further particulars see 

 Kew Bulletin, 1896, p. 129.— N. E. Brown. 



Fig. 1-3, various forms of leaves; 4, bract from the involucre; 5, a floret ; 

 6, anthers; 7, style branches and stigmas ; 8, an achene. All enlarged. 



