Plate 253!). 



DRACAENA OMBET, Kotschy et Peyr. 



LlLIACEiE, Tribe Drac-exe-e. 



D. Ombet, Kotschy et Peyr. PI Tinn. p. 47 ; ad D. Dracanem 

 canariensem arete accedit. 



Truneus furcatus, 7-8-peclalis, ramulis ultimis crassis brevibua 

 divaricatis. Folia dense rosulata, ensiformia, crassa, rigida, sesqui- 

 pedalia yel bipedalia, basi late ovata, dorso deorsum rotundatn 

 sursum distincte costata, facie canaliculata, margine lsevia. Paiiicula 

 ampla, breviter pedunculata, ramulis pluribus gracilibus glabris erecto- 

 patentibus, inferioribus furcatis ; racemi laxi, cylindrici ; flores fasci- 

 cular ; pedicelli medio articulati, H-2 lin. longi ; bractete ovate, 

 minutse. Perianthium albidum, eylindricum, 3 lin. longum, tubo 

 breyissimo, segmentis linearibus flore expanso patulis. Stamina 

 perianthio paulo breviora, antheris oblongis filamentis paulo brevi- 

 oribus. Ovarium oblongum, breviter stipitatum ; stylus simplex, sub- 

 ulatus, stigmate trilobato. Bacca globosa.— Schweinf. in Bull Herb. 

 Boiss. ii. App. ii. p. 76. 



East Tropical Africa : mountains of Anguab, west of Suakin, at 

 2,500-4,000 ft., Heuglin ; mountains of Erkanit, west of Suakin, at 

 5,000 ft., Schiveinfurth, 250; mountains of Erythnea, 4,500-6,500 ft, 

 Sch weinfurth. 



The Nubian Dragon's-blood tree differs from the well-known 

 Canarian species by its shorter, thicker leaves, shorter pedicels and 

 smaller flowers, with scarcely any tube. It grows gregariously upon 

 the hills of Nubia and Northern Abyssinia, mixed with Acacias and 

 frutescent Euphorbias. The panicles are developed in May and June, 

 and the flowers are a favourite food of camels. The Tisrina name is 



Asa-am and the Tigre name A rob.— J. G. Baker. 



Fig. I, section of leaf; 2, an expanded flower; 3, stamens: 4, pistil. All enlarged 

 except 1. which is natural size. 



