22 



fUr 1 Leaf and inflorescence, about natural size; 2 Flower, side .vie* ; 3 

 Mg. J, i^eai .HIU =*,>! =i Dfinau Derated leaf, from 



PLATES 23 & 24. 



BRACHYLAENA DISCOLOR, D.C. 

 Natural Order COMPOSITAE. 



A small dioecious tree 15 to 20 feet high, with thin even bark. Leaves 

 alternate, petiolate, oblong or elliptic obovate, obtuse or sub-acute, repaud, and 

 variably denticulate, cuneate at Vase, veins prominent beneath, tnidvem strong y 

 marked above, lateral ones obscure, dark green, glossy arid shining above densely 

 whitish tomeutose beneath, 3 to 4 inches long, 1 to 1$ inches wide. Male and 

 female trees similar, differing only in the inflorescence. Panicles axillary and 

 terminal. Male heads about 20 flowered, involucral scales in 6-8 rows, cobwebby, 

 medial largest, Corolla tubular, 5 lobed, Anthers tailed at the base, Stigma clavate, 

 Pappus of many sen-ate bristles, sub 2 seriate. Female heads 8-5 flowered, in< 

 volucral scales woolly at base, in 4-5 rows, inner row largest and glabrous, all 

 minutely ciliate, Corolla as in male, Anthers abortive, linear, tailed, separate; Style 

 2 fid, with short and broad branches; Pappus as in male; Achenes pubescent. 



Habitat: NATAL: Coast and midlands. Drawn and described from specimens 

 gathered near Durban, July, 1897. 



A tree of the coast and midlands, called by the natives i-Pahla. The male and 

 female trees may easily be distinguished by the former having much looser and 

 fewer flowered panicles. As will be seen from the drawings, the involucres 

 of the male flowers are broader than those of the female, and contain many more 

 florets. The wood is said by Mr. Fourcade to be " durable exposed to the weather ; 

 used for axles, for tongues, spokes, etc , excellent for boat builders, as it stands in 

 water better than Red Milkwood, though it does not hold nails as well." 



It does not grow to a large size. An allied species, B. ellipfcica, Less, is we 

 1'uve beeu informed one of the best Natal woods for posts etc., as it is not liable to 

 1 01 in the ground, it is found iu the uplands reaching to at least 4000 feet above 

 t.ea level. 



Plate 23, Fig. 1 , leaves and panicle natural size ; 2, head of female flowers 

 natural -size; 3, Floret with pappus; 4, Corolla opened showing rudimentary stamens; 

 5, Ovary, style and stigma. 



Plate 24, Fig. 1, Leaves and panicle male plant natural size; 2, Head enlarged; 

 3, a Floret with pappus ; 4, Corolla and sLaminal tube opened showing anthers 

 Joined together ; ;*>, Style and abortive Stigma. 



Note In generic name as printed on Plates 23 and 24 the " v " has been 

 cideiitally omitted ; the spelling above given is correct. 



