PLATE 562. 



Calodendeon capensb, Thunb. (Fl. Cap. Vol 1, p. 371.) 

 Natural Order, Rutacb^. 



A large and handsome tree, 20 to 30 feet high, with trunk 2 to 3 feet in dia- 

 meter. Branches and branchlets usually opposite, sometimes in threes, bark brown, 

 lenticillate, terete. Leaves dark green, opposite, decussate, petiolate, exstipulate, 

 oblong to broadly ovate, acute, obtuse or retuse, tapering at base to the short 

 petiole, midvein prominent beneath, lateral veins 20 or more on each side, parallel, 

 conspicuous ; pellucid dotted, but not conspicuously so, reaching to G inches long 

 by 4 inches wide, petiole f inch swollen. Inflorescence terminal on the branches, 

 paniculate. Calyx small, 5-parted, lobes oblong, acute, 1| line long. Petals 5, 

 very narrowly oblong, spreading, l;|-inch long by 2-3 lines wide, very minutely 

 stellato-pubescent on outer surface; light pink with deep crimson blotch on inner 

 surface at base. Stamens 10, inserted on the margin of a short cup-shaped disk, 

 5 fertile alternating with 5 barren ones (staminodes), filaments of the fertile stamens 

 filiform, a little shortei than the petals, anthers oblong, 2-celled, 1-^ line long; 

 staminodes petaloid exceeding the petals in length, varying from 1 to 3 lines in 

 breadth, all acuminate, light to darker pink and studded with crimson glands. 

 Ovary superior, stipitate, 5-celled, cells 2-ovuled. Fruit a 5-celled capsule, septi- 

 cidally opening, the valves thickly tuberculate ; at maturity 1^ inch long and wide. 

 Seeds black and shining, 8 lines long. 



Habitat: Natal: Inanda, 1,800 ft. alt. Wood 10. Not uncommon in coast 

 and midland districts. 



A very handsome tree, especially when in flower, as its large panicles of 

 flowers make it a very conspicuous object. It is known in Cape Colony as " Wilde 

 Kastanier," and is sometimes cultivated. The wood, according to Fourcae , is 

 " used for yokes, and suitable for planking, and, if prepared, for railway sleepers." 

 In Natal it is known to the natives as um-Baba, but the wood is not used so far as 

 known to us. The seeds yield a limpid oil, but not in large quantity. 



Fig. 1 , calyx and pistil ; 2, disk and pistil ; 3, cross section of ovary ; 4, stamen ; 

 5, capsule ; 6, leaf ; figs. 5 Sf 6 natural size, remainder enlarged. 



