52 



17. Moraea edulis. Lin. (Iridece.) — Root a corm or 

 bulbous root. Scape round, sheathed, by a radical leaf, which is 

 three times its length ; upper leaf short. Flowers yellow or blue; 

 their stalks waving. Sjmthe scarious at topandawned. Capsule 

 columnar, trigonal. 



The mealy bulbs, commonly known as Uintjes (bulbs), are nourishing 

 and somewhat approach chesniits in taste. In collecting them, it is 

 necessary to have them dug up by persons sufficiently acquainted with 

 the plant, and I have had an opportunity cf cautioning the public 

 elsewhere (Prodrorous. fl. med. Cap. p. 37), against the obnoxious 

 properties oi Homeria collina (the cape tulip.), the bulbs of which had 

 in one fatal case been eaten by mistake for those of this plant. 



18. Moraea polystachya. Ker. {Iridece.) — Scape round, 

 articulated, divided into many spikes. Leaves plane, ribbed, 

 linear, tapering towards the apex. Spathe scarious at top. Flowers 

 large, showy blue. 



In the Eastern districts this species serves the same purpose as the 

 preceding. Its young leaves, however, are said to be unwholesome to 

 horned cattle. 



19. Mesembryanthemum edule. Lin. (MesemhryacecB.) — 

 Succulent. Stem erect; branches two-edged, prostrate, branching. 

 Leaves opposite, connate, scimitar-shaped, fleshy, serrulate at 

 their edges, perfectly smooth. Flowers solitary terminal, large, 

 yellow. 



The antiseptic virtues of this valuable plant are too well known to 

 require comment. The fruit (Hottentots, Fig) has a pleasant, sourish 

 taste and is eaten either raw or preserved, and used as sweetmeats. 



20. Osteospermum pisiferum. Lin. (Co7nposit(s). — Shrubby ^ 

 unarmed. Branches erect, angular, spreading. Leaves on short 

 stalks, alternate, obovate, smooth, entire or grossly toothed. 

 Flowei'-lieads terminal and solitary on shaggy peduncles. External 

 scales of the invohicre lanceolate, internal ones broad-ovate, fringed, 

 sharp pointed. Papj^us none. Fruit of the ray baccate ; heryiel 

 bony. 



The bony kernels or seeds are enclosed within an oblong berry-like 

 fruit, which, though small, is eaten by the natives and called by them 

 Biedouw'besjes. They are of a sweet taste and palatable. 



21. Oxalis cermia. Lin. {Oxalide(B)-—'Rooth\\\bo\\<s. Leaves 

 radical, stalked, ternate ; leaflets obcordate, 2 lobed, often blotched, 

 smooth. Scape erect, umbelliferous. Flowers peduncled, the 

 open-ones erect, the closed-ones drooping. Stamens 10 ; styles 5, 

 very short. 



A weed, common throughout a great portion of the Colony, where it 

 is known as the Wild Sorrell (Wilde Zuring.) On account of their 



