27 



though we see little difference between it and the description of B. latifolia, in the 

 Flora Capensis ; the latter plant, however, we have not seen. The difference 

 given in the key to the genus, which relies on the texture of the leaves, is in our 

 opinion not tenable, as in our specimens flie leaves are certainly not thin, except 

 in the dried state. 



Fig. 1 , Upper portion of leaf, with pedicel and raceme, natural size ; 2, Flower ; 

 3, Stamens, 4, Ovary, style and stigrna; 5, Section of ovary; all enlarged; 6 

 Plant much reduced. 



PLATE 31. 



CHLOROCODON WHITEI, Hook. 

 Natural Order ASCLEPIADEAE. 



A climbing half shrub, Stems twining, terete, branching, Leaves opposite, 

 pefciolate, stipulate, broadly oblong, entire, shortly- acuminate at apex, rounded at 

 base, sub-glabrous above, puberulous beneath, upper surface of midrib above, with 

 a few small, deciduous, erect, membranous scales, mature leaves 5 to 7 inches long, 

 4 to 5 inches wide, petiole 1 to ! inches long, channelled on the the upper 

 surface, puberulous; Stipules forming a band connecting the pair of petioles and 

 divided into several horizontially spreading blunt teeth. Inflorescence axillary, 

 cymose, cymes shorter than the leaves, many flowered, pedicels dichotomously 

 branched, bracteolae 3 to 4 lines long, Flowers dull greenish white, Calyx 5 parted, 

 lobes ovate, shortly acute, green. Corolla 5 parted nearly to the base, lobes 

 oblong, imbricate in bud. Corona of 5 fleshy scales, alternate with petals, each 

 3 lobed, lateral lobes short, oblong, obtuse ; central one longer, acuminate, nearly 

 half as long as corolla lobes. Stamens between the lobes of the corona, distinct, 

 filaments very short and wide, overlapping the column, anthers ovate, adhering to 

 the stigma Pollen Disuses linear-clavate, 2 in each anther cell. Ovary 2 lobed, style 

 short, stigma pentagonal, depressed-conical. Follicles 2, elongate, terete, divergent, 

 sessile, each 3-4 inches long, 1| If inch wide. Seeds comose. 



Habitat: NATAL. Karkloof forest. Tnanda, near Mr. Groom's farm. Zululand, 

 Ungoya forest.. 



Described and figured from a specimen grown in the Botanic Gardens, Durban. 



This is the "u-TVIondi" of the natives, and it has a great reputation as a tonic, 

 especially for women and children. It was at one time fairly plentiful in the 

 coast districts, but the natives have nearly exterminated it in their eagerness to obtain 

 the roots, which find a ready sale in the stores. The long woody roots are the only 

 part of the plant that is used, and they are very aromatic, reminding one of ginger, 

 but without its pungency. Some years ago it was proposed at home to utilise 

 these roots for making a beverage akin to " Ginger Beer," but a sufficient supply 

 could not be got, oven for an experiment. The plant is usually found in dense 

 bush, the lower portion of the stems being naked and leafless, the leaves only 

 appoaring at the tops of the supporting trees, where they frequently escape obser- 

 vation. It is very probable that there are two varieties of this plant in the colony. 

 We have noticed that the roots brought from one locality are not so aromatic as is 



