PLATE 533. 



HIBISCUS PEDUNCULATQS, Cav. (Fl. Oap. Vol. I, p. 173.) 

 Natural Order MALVACE.K. 



An erect branching undershrub 2 to 5 feet in height bearing flowers which 

 are deep rosy red. Stems and branches stellato-hispid with longish hairs, 

 branches slender. Leaves petiolate, stipulate, 3-5-lobed, lobes obtuse, unequally and 

 bluntly serrate, middle lobe longest, the whole leaf (in our specimens) from 1 to 2-| 

 inches long and broad ; hispid on both surfaces with simple and stellate hairs ; 

 stipules subulate, 2-3 -lines long: petioles ^ to 2 inches long. Peduncles much 

 longer than the leaves, 1 -flowered. Involucel of 8-10-linear-lanceolate leaflets 

 about as long as the calyx lobes, pubescent like the leaves. Calyx deeply 5-lobed, 

 lobes oblong-lanceolate, acute, ciliate. Petals 5, twisted in aestivation, attached at 

 base to the staminal column, 1-| inch long. Stamens many, united in a tube which 

 is 5-toothed at the apex and whose dilated base covers the ovary ; anthers attached 

 on its outer surface. Ovary 5-celled, many ovuled, hispid ; styles 5, connate for 

 nearly their whole length, stigmas capitate ; seeds pubescent, brownish. 



Habitat- NATAL: Nkandhla, 4000-5000 ft. alt., March, Wylie (Wood 8873). 

 Inanda, 1800 ft. alt., April, Wood 70 ; near Durban, 1-200 ft. alt, without precise 

 locality Sutherland. 



A slender shrub usually found at edges of woods or under light shade, the 

 leaves are rather variable in shape, the flowers are borne on long peduncles by 

 which feature it is easily distinguished from its near allies. It is not used in any 

 way so far as known to us, but it is well worth cultivation. 



Fig. 1, portion of branch; 2, calyx; 3, section of flower, part of petals 

 removed; 4, apex of staminal column; 5, stamen; 6, pistil; 7, cross section of 

 ovary ; jig. 1 natural size, remainder enlarged. 



