PLATE 356. 



TREMA BRACTEOLATA, Blume. (Harvey's Genera, p. 345, sub. Sponia). 



Natural Order, URTIOAOEAE. 



A small tree bearing clusters of green flowers in axils of leaves. Bark rorigh, 

 branches terete, younger portions finely pubescent. Leaves alternate, petiolate, 

 stipulate, ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate more or less unequally rounded at base, 

 gradually tapering to an acute or obtnse apex, margins finely and equally ci'enate- 

 serrate, very minutely pubescent and dark green on upper surface, lightly coloured 

 and with more pubescence beneath; 3-veined at base, the secondary ones spring- 

 ing from both sides of the mid-vein, but only from the outer side of the lateral 

 ones; 2 to 4 inches long, 1 to If inch wide. Petioles to J inch long. Flowers 

 polygamous, in small axillary cymes. Perianth of male and perfect flowers, 

 5-parted, the lobes concave, compressed and sub-imbricate in bud, ciliate with 

 cottony hairs, otherwise glabrous, 1 line long, of female flowers flat or only slightly 

 concave. Bracts oblong, deltoid, minute, pedicels veiy short, and pubescent like 

 the bracts, the whole inflorescence as long, or a little longer than the petiole. 

 Stamens 5, opposite perianth segments, filaments as long as perianth lobes ; anthers 

 2-celled exserted, oblong. Styles 2, very short, hairy. Ovary superior, abortive 

 in male flowers, in female and perfect ones surrounded by a ring of cottony hairs, 

 several ovuled, ovules pendulous. Fruit a small globose drupe seated in the 

 persistent perianth, black when ripe, H to 2 lines diameter, crowned by remains 

 of the stigmas. 



Habitat: NATAL: Near Durban, Wood, Inanda 1800 feet alt., October, 

 625. Zululand, 6000 feet alt. January, Dam,, 109. (Col Herb, 8786). 



In " Harvey's Genera " this plant appears as Sponia, but that name has now 

 3een superseded by Trcma, it is also said that there are two species in Natal, but 

 so far we have met with this one only. The genus contains some 30 species, which 

 may probably be reduced to about 20. The species are found in tropical and 

 subtropical regions widely dispersed. The flowers are said to be of tliree forms, 

 staminate only, pistillate only, and perfect, and in Harvey's Genera it is stated 

 that the females are usually on separate twigs ; but we find that in the cymes in 

 diich female flowers occur they are mixed with the others, but much less numer- 

 ous. The tree attains a height of 20 to 30 feet, the wood, according to Fourcade, 

 " is moderately light and soft; light yellow tinged with red." The only use to 

 which it is put is for break blocks for wagon wheels, for which purpose it appears 

 to be well suited. The native name is " Nbantini " and the bark of the tree is 

 used by them as a medicine. 



Fig. 1, perfect flower; 2, female flower; 3, perianth lobe of female flower 

 (inner view) ; 4, bud of male flower ; 5, male flower ; 6, perianth lobe of male 

 flower with stamen; 7, bract ; 8, underside of leaf showing venation ; except fig 8, 

 all enlarged. 



