PLATES 384, 385. 



EBYTHRINA TOMBNTOSA, R. Br. (Fl. Cap. Vol. II., p. 238, sub B. latissima.) 



Natural Order, LEGUMINOS.E. 



A small tree 10 to 15 feet in height, with thick rough bark, armed with dis- 

 tant prickles. Leaves alternate, on long petioles, pinnately trifoliolate, densely 

 tomentose on both surfaces ; terminal leaflet remote, 3 to 6 inches or more from 

 the lateral ones, broadly ovate, obtuse at apex, truncate or subcordate at base ; 

 mature ones 10 to 14 inches long and wide ; lateral leaflets opposite, subsessile, 

 irregularly and broadly ovate or sub-rotund, 9 to 10 inches long and wide ; all 

 strongly veiny beneath, bullate above, greyish-green ; common petiole 5 to 10 

 inches long. Stipules oblong, soon withering, 3 lines long. Inflorescence spicate, 

 the spikes ovoid, many flowered, flowers bright crimson. Peduncles 6 to 8 inches 

 long, stout, finely and densely tomentose. Calyx oblique, spathaceous, finely cleft 

 nearly to base on lower side, the split tube oblong, tomentose and dull red exter- 

 nally, lighter coloured and glabrous within ; limb 5-lobed, the lobes filiform, 

 tomentose, soon withering, the tube 1 inch long, lobes f inch. Vexillum oblong, 

 emarginate, 2^ inches long, 1J inch wide, bright crimson, suddenly becoming 

 greenish-white at base ; alae of two separate petals, each narrow-oblong, curved, 

 greenish-white, red in upper exposed portion, f inch long, 5 lines wide ; carina of 

 two separate depressed-ovate petals, white, ^ inch long and wide. Stamens 10, 

 diadelphous or imperfectly monadelphous, a little shorter than vexillum ; anthers 

 2-celled, erect. Style erect, equalling stamens, slightly curved at apex, glabrous ; 

 stigma terminal, subobtuse ; ovary stipitate, several ovuled. Legume hard and 

 woody, torulose, at length dehiscent, velvetty externally. Seeds oval, red with a 

 linear black scar, ^ inch long by 4 to 4^ lines wide. 



Habitat : NATAL : Krauss ; near Sterk Spruit, Sanderson ; Inanda, Wood. 

 Drawn and described from a tree in the Botanic Gardens, Durban, flowering in 

 September. 



This plant was figured and described iu Harvey's Thesaurus Capensis as E. 

 Sandersoni, Harv., afterwards in the Flora Capensis as E. latissima, E. M. In a 

 note Professor Harvey says that in publishing it as E. Sandersoni, he had over- 

 looked two previous discoveries, thus the tree has passed as E. Sandersoni, E. 

 latisxima, Chirocalyx mollis.nma, and has now finally settled down under its present 

 name, E. tomentosa. It is remarkable for its almost woolly covering, its very 

 curious calyx, and its large leaves. It is usually known in Natal as the " Cork 

 tree," and to the natives as um-kwabakwaba. Its large flowers are very hand- 

 some and conspicuous. 



Plate 384. Fig. 1, raceme ; 2, flower ; 3, calyx ; 4, same opened ; 5, side 

 bract ; 6, lower bract ; 7, ala ; 8, carina petal ; 9, style and stigma ; Jigs. 5 and 

 6 enlarged, remainder natural size. 



Plate 385. Fig. 1, leaf, much reduced; 2, staminal tube opened and enlarged; 

 3, legume with seeds, natural size. 



