PLATE 512. 



RiOHABDiA Rbhmanni, N. B. Beown. (PI. Cap. Vol. VII, p. 36, 37.) 



Natural Order, Aeoide^. 



A stemless herb. Leaves broadly lanceolate-acuminate, entire, glabrous and 

 shining on both surfaces, quite green, or with linear white, semi-transparent 

 markings which are parallel to the nerves, margins undulate, midrib stout ; 12 to 

 20 inches long, 2 to 3 inches wide in central portion, gradually narrowed to the 

 stout petiole, which is 6 to 1 2 inches long, rounded on back, deeply channelled on 

 the face for its whole length. Scape shorter than the leaves, terete, glabrous, 

 green. Spathe reaching to about 4^ inches long, erect, limb oblique, recurved, 

 with a subulate point ; varying from almost white to deep rose colour in the 

 upper and exposed portion, white to greenish-yellow at the base, and without 

 dark centre, the subulate apex green ; externally green at base. Spadix 

 stipitate, shorter than the spathe, the basal portion with female flowers, the 

 upper portion male, the female flowers spirally arranged; without perianth, ovary 

 angular from pressure, 2-celled, cells 2-3-ovuled, style very short, capitate ; male 

 flowers, stamens numerous, crowded together, not spirally arranged; anthers 

 sessile, oblong, compressed, truncate, opening by terminal pores, and emitting the 

 pollen in sausage-like strings. Fruit a berry, seeds ovoid or subglobose. 



Habitat: Natal : Stony hill near Glencoe, 4000 to 5000 feet alt.. Wood 5204; 

 dry hills near Newcastle, Behmarm 80. Also in Transvaal. 



This plant was first found in Transvaal, and tubers of it were sent to England 

 by the late R. W. Adlam, but when they flowered in England they " had white 

 spathes without any tinge of rose," and when grown in Natal the same thing 

 occurred; it was also sent to Europe by Mr. De Waal from Transvaal. The plant 

 was afterwards collected by the writer on the Biggarsberg in 1893, the colour of 

 the spathes varying from light to very dark pink or red, tubers were brought to 

 Durban and planted at the Botanic Gardens, and some were sent to Europe; those 

 that flowered in Durban bore spathes which only showed a trace of pink, and the 

 same thing again occurred at Home. 



Until last year the plants only showed a trace of pink, but since then and 

 during the present season (1908) the colour of those in the Gardens has been 

 almost as good as the writer first saw it in their native habitat. The plant was 

 also gathered by Mr. W. J. Haygarth on Majuba, and by Mr. St. Vincent Erskine 

 near Vryheid, both of these specimens are in the Colonial Herbarium. 



Fig. 1, lower portion of spadix, upper part of spathe removed to show 

 staminate und pistillate flowers, and stipes ; 2, pistil ; 3, longitudinal section of 

 same; 4, cross section of ovary; 5, ovule; 6, stamen, all enlarged; 7, cross 

 section of petiole, natural size ; 8, pollen as seen issuing from anther, enlarged. 



