178 xcviii. ACANTHACEiE (clarke). [BrachystepJianus. 



J-J in. long, elliptic. Filaments J in. long, exserted; anthers y^ in. 

 long, glabrous; pollen globose, slightly 3-angled, most minutely echinu- 

 late, with 8 stopples. Ovary oblong, glabrous; disc short; style of 

 genus. — Lindau in Engl. ^ Prantl, Pflanzenfam. iv. 3 B. 344, and in 

 Engl. Pfl. Ost-Afr. C. 372. 



Mozaxnb. Blst. British Central Africa : Nyasaland j Mount Mlanje, 6000 ft., 

 Whyte, 56 ! 



This plant illustrates the illusory nature of the distinction between bracteoles 

 {yorblaetter) and bract {deckblatt). If a "bract" from the upper part of the spike 

 be taken off, the 2 lateral green bracteoles are seen in their regular position ; but if a 

 lower floral leaf be taken off, a growth from one or both the bracteoles is seen, the 

 bracteole is broader and indicates an approach in shape to that of the deckblatt, and 

 may support a perfect flower. 



2. B. Holstii, Lindau in Engl. Jahrh. xx. 53. Branchlets minutely 

 pubescent. Leaves up to 4 by 2 in., narrowed at both ends, minutely 

 pubescent beneath, at least on the midrib ; petiole up to f in. long. 

 8pikes 2\ by J in., dense or interrupted, scarcely strobilate ; bracts 

 h in. long, narrow -lanceolate, ciliate. Sepals J in. long, linear-oblong, 

 ciliate. Corolla crimson ; tube f in. long ; lips nearly \ in. long, 

 elliptic. Filaments J in. long, exserted; pollen globose, echinate. 

 Pistil of the genus. — Lindau in Engl, k Prantl, Pflanzenfam. iv. 

 3 B. 344, and in Engl. Pfl. Ost-Afr. C. 372. 



IMCozamb. Blst. German East Africa : Kilimanjaro ; Marangu, 7000 ft., 

 Volkens, 838 ! Johnston, 1 ! Usambara ; Maganiba Mountain, Hoist, 3811 ! 



This is allied to B. Lyallii, Nees, from Madagascar; but has a much shorter 

 corolla-tube. 



3. B. longifloms, Lindau in Engl. Jahrh. xx. 53. Stem 3 ft. 

 high, minutely pubescent. Leaves up to 5 J by 2\ in., narrowed at 

 both ends, minutely and sparsely bristly on both surfaces ; petiole J-1 J in. 

 long. Panicles up to 3 by J in., of very dense contracted cymes, with 

 many-celled hairs of which the alternate cells are thicker ; floral leaves 

 1 by y\y-^ in., narrow-lanceolate. Sepals exceeding J in. in length, 

 linear-subulate, hairy as the bract. Corolla purple; tube |-l.in. long ; 

 lips J in. long, subentire. Anthers exserted \ in. ; pollen globose, 

 slightly trigonous, 3-banded, smooth or very nearly so. Pistil of the 

 genus. Capsule J in. long, 4-seeded. — Lindau in Engl. & Prantl, 

 Pflanzenfam. iv. 3 B. 344. 



Upper Guinea. Cameroons : Buea, 5500 ft., Preuss, 890 ! 846 ! Fernando Po, 

 3000 ft., Mann, 589 ! 



4. B. jaundensis, Lindau in Engl. Jahrh. xxii. 125. Stem 

 2-5 ft. high, sparingly pubescent. Leaves up to 4 by 1 J in., narrowed 

 at both ends, puberulous or glabrate ; cystoliths inconspicuous ; petiole 

 up to h in. long. Spike (condensed panicle) terminal or on a short 

 axillary branch, 1-3 by J in. ; bract and bracteoles J in. long, linear, 

 hispid-pubescent. Sepals J in. long, linear, hairy. Corolla light purple; 

 tube 1-1 J in. long, sparsely hairy without ; hps J in. long, subentire. 



