Classification of Plants 



349 



Many are climbing, some are fleshy and leafless. A large 

 order of which fifty-three genera are found in South Africa. 

 Internal phloem is found in the stems. 



A. Pollen masses 20, very small ; anthers ^-celled. 

 Secamone, the " monkey-ropes " of the East. Loose 



climbing plants with leathery leaves. Flowers small. The 

 genus is also found in Asia and Australia. 



AA. Pollen masses 10, hanging, attached to an inverted y- 

 shaped yoke (or translator). 



B. Stamens without a crown. 



Microloma. Corolla urn-shaped, lobes twisted to the 

 left. Tube furnished within with tufts of downward pointing 

 hairs. Usually twining. Umbels of 

 beautiful little waxy bells, scarlet, or 

 pale red with green tips. Kalahari, 

 Western, and Central. 



BB. Stamens with a single crown. 



Asclepias (Gomphocarpus). 

 Crown of 5 petal-like bodies, the 

 edges folded toward the stigma be- 

 coming erect or recurved, with or 

 without a horn on its concave sur- 

 face. Umbels at the nodes or tipping 

 the stem, many flowered. Flowers greenish, 

 backward. Follicles single or rarely in pairs. 



FIG. 329. Floral diagram 

 Asclepias. 



Petals bending 



FIG. 330. - Translator of Phyl- FIG. 331. Pollen mass of Stapelia. 



lanthera carrying pollen. (From Henslow's "South African 



Gland at base. (After Deles- Flowering Plants ".) 

 sert and Blume.) 



Shrubby or herbaceous. A.fruticosa, Linn., with large spiny follicles 

 and linear leaves, is common in the Karroo. Often tuberous. 



