Syo 



C. SKOTTSBERG 



Gunnera Masafiierae Skottsb. Replaces the former on Masafuera, growing 

 along the water (PI. iii) and on the wet walls of the barrancas in the canyons 

 (PI. 109:2; Skottsb. 3, pi. 3:2); abundant in the fog-swept highland, especially 

 along the water-courses and in depressions in the fernbeds, forming a tapestry 

 on the steep cliff walls of the gorges and on the great western barranca, to 

 about 1400 m above sea-level. Habit as the former, but of lower stature; rhizome 

 ascending, branched below, raising the terminal rosette to about i 2 m above 

 the ground (total length up to 1.5 m), 20 — 30 cm thick. Leaves larger than in 

 the other species; blade not peltate, of the same texture as in the former, to 

 nearly 3 m wide (largest measured 2.87 m), petiole softer and more juicy, with 

 an acidulous, refreshing taste, to 1.7 m long and 12 cm wide at base. Inflorescence 

 pendent, to 1.75 m long and 25 cm wide. Flowering season as in the former, 

 but no ripe drupes were found before our departure from the island in the mid- 

 dle of March. 



Gunnera bracieata Steud. Endemic on Masatierra, less common than peltata 

 and apparently confined to the elevated ridges from Kabanal to Ouebrada Jua- 

 nango, a characteristic member of the scrub in more or less open, windy situa- 

 tions above 400 m. Smaller than peltata, stem rarely over i m long (to 1.25 m) 

 and 10 cm thick, buds almost overflowing with mucilage. Leaves smaller, blade 

 50 — 75 cm wide, not peltate (see, however, p. 148), firm coriaceous, dark green; 

 petiole about 50 cm long. Inflorescence about 40 cm long, ^lowering season as 

 in the former; with ripe drupes in April. 



Solanuui fernandezianuni Phil. Endemic in the forests of Masatierra, rare and 

 local, extending west to Valle Ingles; lowest and highest stations observed 235 

 and 550 m. A stately, profusely branched species of the tuberosum group, 

 with bright \iolet flowers. The aerial shoot system lasts more than one year. Ber- 

 tero speaks of small, bitter tubers, but neither we nor Johow were able to find 

 them — compare Pitter 1. c. 381 ; if they do exist, this species is the only represent- 

 ative of the Geophytes in Juan Fernandez. Observed in flower alread}' in late 

 winter; fruits in April. The life-cycle needs further study. 



Seeds sown 29.3. 191 8 germinated after 3 weeks, the plants flowered already in 

 July and bore fruit in the autumn, whereupon they died. Some cuttings had been 

 taken, one of which survived, flowered in July 1919, fruited in October and then died. 

 Sown again 7.3. 1919; a few seedlings appeared after 2 12 months and gave flowering 

 plants from July to September; they did not set fruit but lived through the winter 

 and were propagated by cuttings in March 1920; the cuttings flowered in May, but 

 died the same year without fruiting. In no case tubers were formed; in cultivation 

 the species behaved as an annual. 



Solanum masafueranum Bitter et Skottsb. A very characteristic Morella (PI. 

 14, this vol. no. 7), found in two places in the forest belt of Masafuera. A large, 

 apparently pluriennial herb as much as 1.75 m tall, with stem and branches of 

 I. order to 6 mm thick and more or less lignified. Collected with flowers and 

 young fruit Feb. -March. 



Solanum robinsojiianum Bitter. All islands, apj)arently scarce; an endemic 

 microspecies belonging to the 7iigrum assemblage, but this anthropophilous 



