PLATE 526. 



Lapbtrousia gbandifloea, Baker. (Fl. Cap. Vol. VI, p. 96). 

 Natural Order Iridace^. 



Corm globose ^ inch diameter, tunics brown, fibrous. Flowering stem 1 8 

 inches to 2 feet long, terete, glabrous. Leaves, basal, 4-8, distichous, stem- 

 clasping in lower portion, linear, erect, 12 to 15 inches long, ^ to ^ inch broad; 

 stem leaves 1-3 similar, but much smaller. Inflorescence a compound spike, its 

 lower branches 1-3, few-flowered. Spathe valves, outer lanceolate, green, ^ inch 

 long; inner similar, 4| lines long. Perianth tube subcylindrical, up to 1^ inch 

 long, widening at throat, limb 6-lobed, segments oblong, narrowed to base, 

 reaching to 1^ inch long, bright scarlet, the three lower with deep scarlet blotch 

 at base. Stamens 3, exserted, unilateral, anthers 2-celled, sagittate. Ovary 

 inferior, 3-celled, ovules superposed. Styles filiform, 3-branched, branches bifid 

 Capsule not seen. 



Habitat: Zululand: TJmlalazi, 1-200 feet alt., March, Wood 10376. Also 

 near Delagoa Bay, {Mrs. Monteiro) : Highlands of the Zambesi country by several 

 collectors. 



The genus Lapeyrousia includes about 40 species, of which 24 are found in 

 South Africa, the remainder in Tropical Africa. One species L. cruenta has been 

 already figured in this work Vol. I, plate 54, but the species here described has 

 much larger flowers, and is well worth cultivation. The genus is named after 

 J. F. G. de la Peyrouse the French circumnavigator. 



Fig. 1, perianth open, showing stamens; 2, a stamen; 3, style; 4, cross 

 section of ovary ; 5, corm, natural size, remainder enlarged. 



