PLATE 528. 



GIADIOLUS PAPILIO, Hook, f . (Fl. Cap. Vol. VI, p. 152). 

 Natural Order 



Corm globose, f inch diameter, tunics of fine matted fibres. Leaves, sub- 

 basal, 4-6, ensiform, equitant, distichous, with a distinct raised midvein, and 3-4 

 secondary ones on each side, firm in texture, quite erect, tapering to a fine point, 

 the outer ones 6-12 inches long, -| inch broad, quite glabrous. Stem 1 to 3 feet 

 long including the inflorescence. Flowers 4 to 7 in a very lax spike, dull purple 

 outside, inner surface dull white, the three lower lobes with a dark purple central 

 band which varies both in length and breadth, and is tipped more or less with 

 yellow. Valves oblong-acuminate or cuspidate, the outer j-1^ inch long. Perianth 

 tube strongly curved, ^ inch long, narrow below, funnel shaped in upper portion; 

 limb 6-parted, f to 1^ inch long, the segments obovate-spathulate, the three upper 

 ones ^ to f inch broad in centre, the three lower ones much narrower. Stamens 

 3, unilateral, arching, contiguous, inserted below the throat of the perianth tube; 

 anthers linear-acute, not reaching to tips of perianth lobes, basifixed, sagittate. 

 Ovary pubescent, 3-celled, ovules many, superposed; style filiform, curved, 

 3-lobed at apex, the lobes short, obtuse. Capsule not seen. 



Habitat : NATAL : Coast and midlands in open ground. Near Durban, Sander- 

 on 367 ; Inanda 1800 feet alt., Wood 442 ; Clairmont 10-30 feet alt., Wood 1729 ; 

 Swamps near Mooi River, 4500 feet alt., Wood 3441 ; without precise locality 

 Gerrard 647. Also in Transvaal and Orange River Colony. 



The plant here figured and described is the variety found in the coast and 

 midland districts and agrees with Sanderson's 367 and Wood's 442 and 1729, and 

 is the variety enumerated in " Nicholson's Dictionary of Gardening " as G. Papilio 

 atratus, which was introduced into cultivation in Europe in 1 885 ; while Wood's 

 3441 is fche type, and is found in the upper districts, it is usually larger in all 

 parts, and the flowers brighter in colour, with the markings more distinct. This 

 plant is in cultivation in Europe, having been introduced in 1866, and it was 

 figured in the " Botanical Magazine," plate 5565. 



Fig. 1 , corm, leaves and base of the stem ; 2, apex of stem with flowers ; 3 

 stamen ; 4, same, side view : 5, style and stigmas ; 6, cross section of ovary. 

 Fig. 1 and 2 natural size, remainder enlarged. 



