PLATE 400. 



SPHEDAMNOCARPUS PRUBIBNS, Planch. (Fl. Cap. Vol. I., p. 232 ; Sub. Acridocarpus). 



Natural Order, MALPIGHIACE^I. 



A much branched climbing plant with yellow flowers. Stem and branches 

 terete, younger parts finely tomentose. Leaves opposite, petiolate, exstipulate, 

 oblong, linear-oblong or ovate, entire, mucronate, glaucous beneath, minutely and 

 sparingly pilose ; ^ to !- inch long, 2 to 10 lines wide ; petiole up to f inch long, 

 minutely bi-glandular just below the apex, the glands either not always present or 

 early deciduous. Inflorescence subumbellate ; umbels 3 to 4-flowered, terminal on 

 the branches or occasionally axillary ; pedicels, slender, up to 1 inch long, bracteate 

 at base, and articulated two-thirds from base. Calyx 5-parted to base, sepals 

 oblong, obtuse, pilose externally. Petals 5 hypogynous, clawed, broadly ovate, 

 minutely lacerate in upper portion, veiny, glabrous, twice longer than sepals. 

 Stamens 10, perfect, filaments connate in a ring at base; anthers oblong, 

 subcordate at base, introrse, erect, basifixed, slitting. Ovary free, of 2 or 3 

 united carpels ; styles 2-3, longer than stamens ; stigmas obtuse. Samaras 3, 

 each with a dorsal wing which is 4 to 5 times longer than the fruit, the whole 

 covered with long white hairs which lie flat on the surface, and are easily detached 

 when the fruit is ripe. 



Habitat: NATAL: Near Durban, Wood; Nonoti, 200 feet altitude, Wood, 8921. 

 Flowering in January. Inanda, Wood, 20. 



The genus Sphedamnocarpus includes 3 species, two being natives of Angola* 

 and the present species ; in the Flora Capensis and also in the Index Kewensis 

 this plant appears as Acridocarpus pruriens, Juss, but the name here given is the 

 correct one. 



The plant is not uncommon in the coast districts, and is usually found 

 climbing over bushes at outskirts of woods ; the yellow flowers are rather 

 conspicuous. The hairs on the fruits are easily detached and are somewhat 

 irritating when in contact with the skin. We are not able to ascertain the native 

 name, but it is used by them medicinally. 



Fig. 1, a flower, petals removed ; 2, a petal ; 3, a stamen,, front view ; 4, same, 

 back view ; 5, pistil ; 6 samara ; fig. 6 natural size, remainder enlarged. 



