380 XLII. RHAMNE^ (HEMSLEY). {ZlzypluiS. 



Hochst. in Schimp. PI. Abyss, (not of Willd.). Z. orthacantha, DC. Prod. ii. 

 21. (ex descr.). 



XTpper Guinea. Nigritania, Barter ! Mann ! 



laOTver Guinea. Angola, Br. Welwitsch ! 



Mozaxnb. Distr. Mozambique, Dr. Peters I Zambesi, Brs. Kirk and Meller ! 



This is an extremely variable species, and presents considerable difficulty in defining its 

 limits. Two widely different forms occur, which, without the connecting links, would never 

 be taken for the same species. One, Z. abyssinicus, Hochst., with broadly ovate acute 

 leaves, very oblique at the base, and 2-5 in. long ; the other, the ordinary Z. jnjuba, with 

 oblong or orbicular, very obtuse leaves, usually nearly equal at the base ; but the numerous 

 intermediate forms will not even admit of their being distinguished as permanent varieties. 

 Besides these two forms, there is the cultivated state from W. Africa, where it is used for 

 hedges and periodically topped, which is much more densely branched, the leaves smaller 

 and the stipular prickles very abundantly developed. In sterile places and on the coast the 

 leaves are smaller and the prickles more numerous. 



Also in Madagascar, Australia, tropical Asia, etc. ; it is extensively cultivated for its 

 fruit. 



2. Z. mucronata, JFilld. ; Harv. et Sond. Fl. Gap. i. 475. (With 

 the synonyms adduced.) A tree of 20-30 ft., or sometimes shrubby, with 

 zigzag branches, with or without stipular prickles. Young branches, petioles, 

 and inflorescence rusty puberulous pubescent or almost glabrous. Leaves 

 petiolate, broadly ovate or ovate-cordate, acuminate acute or obtuse, mucro- 

 nate, equal or unequal at the base, 1^3 in. long, crenate-serrate, with a few 

 scattered hairs beneath principally on the veins or quite glabrous. Stipules 

 spinescent, 1 straight the other recurved, or 1 or both wanting (on some 

 branches), or reduced and deciduous. Cymes axillary, about the length of 

 the petioles, 10-20-flowered Calyx pubescent or glabrous; lobes ncute. 

 Ovary 2-celled. Styles recurved. Drupe 2-celled, 6-8 lines in diam., 

 bright red.— ^. Baclei, DC. Prod. ii. 20 ; Guill. et Perr. Fl. Seneg. i. 145. 

 t. 37. Z. mitis. Rich. Fl. Abyss, i. 137. 



Upper Guinea. Niger, Barter ! Attah, T. Vogel ! 

 Nile Iiand. Abyssinia, Petit ; Sennar, Cienkowski. 

 Iiower Guinea. Huilla and Pungo Andongo, Angola, Br. Welwitsch ! 

 Mozamb. Distr. Shire river, Brs. Kirk and Meller ! 



The species is confined to Africa, ranging through the tropics to the Cape, where it is 

 abundant. 



3. Z. Spina-Christi, Willd. ; DC. Prod. ii. 20. A tree or shrub with 

 white long flexuose or short intricate branches. Leaves ovate ovate-oblong or 

 lanceolate, obtuse or acute, often mucronate, equal at the base, crenate-serrate, 

 1-3 in. long, glabrous or slightly pubescent beneath when young especially 

 along the veins ; petioles ^-1 in. long ; stipular prickles when present short, 

 both or 1 only recurved. Cymes pubescent, few- or many-flowered, sessile 

 or on peduncles from a line to an inch or more in length. Flowers large for 

 the genus. Calyx densely pubescent. Disk large, furnished with a fringe 

 of hairs around the base of the styles. Styles united above the middle and 

 then spreading, not recurved. Drupe 2-celled, large, fleshy, spherical. 



Upper Guinea. Senega mbia ! Nigcp, Barter ! 



North Central. Kouka, E. Vogel ! 



Nile Land. Nubia (Webb, Frag. Fl. ^ihiop.), Abyssiuia, Scliimper ! and others. 



