40 



ASPAKAGUS. Lm, 



(^AftparaginecE.) 

 VI. — 1. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



87. Asparagus laricinus. Burch. Perannual. Stem 

 twining, waving, smooth. Branches alternate, bent 

 backward, armed at base and in the axils of the leaves 

 with solitary, short, reflexed prickles. Leaves sub- 

 verticillate, clustered, awl-shaped, sharp-pointed, sti- 

 pulate, longer than the iiiternodes. Peduncles 2, very- 

 slender, one-flowered, pendulous, nodulose above base. 

 Floioers bell-shaped, patent, white, small. 



The young succulent shoots of this kind of Asparagus 

 furnish a most excellent dish. Its roots are diuretic, impart 

 a pecuHar smell to the urine, and are of service in dropsy, 

 and in all cases where the secretion of the kidneys is 

 scanty or anomalous 



SANSEYIERA. Thbg. 



(^AsparaginecB. ^ 



VI. — 1. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



88. Sanseviera tkgrsiflora. Thhg.^ Root horizontally 

 creeping, jointed. Leaves radical, broad, ensiform, 

 smooth, coriaceous, marginate with a callous point at 

 the apex. Scape 2 feet high, sheated at intervals by 

 membranaceous bracts of an ovate-lanceolate form. 

 Flowers racemoso-spicate, stalked, white, standing in' 

 pairs ; anthers yellow ; style lengthened, capitate. 



Not uncommon in forests and on Karroo-like hills between 

 the Zwartkops and Bosjesman Rivers (Uitenhage) Fl. 

 Dec. Jan. In the Eastern districts, the tlesliy root of this 

 plant, when boiled, is made use of internally in piles, and is 

 called fKay by the natives. 



ALOE. LiN. 



(^Asphodelece.) 



VI. — 1. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



89. Aloe ferox. Lam. Stem very lofty. Leaves 

 perfoliate, thick, juicy, sword-shaped, deflexed, glau- 



* This species has been referred by most authors to Sanseviera guineen- 

 sis. Willd. as a mere variety. Whether this be truly correct I cannot 

 decide, not having had an opportunity of examining both in a fresh 

 state. 



