PLATE 400. 
SPHEDAMNOCARPUS PRURIENS, Planch. (Fl. Cap. Vol. L., p. 232; Sub. Acridocarpus). 
Natural Order, MaLricHtaces. 
A much branched climbing plant with yellow flowers. Stem and branches 
terete, younger parts finely tomentose. Leaves opposite, petiolate, exstipulate, 
oblong, linear-oblong or ovate, entire, mucronate, glaucous beneath, minutely and 
sparingly pilose ; } to 14 inch long, 2 to 10 lines wide ; petiole up to # inch long, 
minutely bi-glandular just below the apex, the glands either not always present or 
early deciduous. Inflorescence subumbellate; umbels 3 to 4-flowered, terminal on 
the branches or occasionally axillary ; pedicels, slender, up to 1 inch long, bracteate 
at base, and articulated two-thirds from base. Calyx 5-parted to base, sepals 
oblong, obtuse, pilose externally. Petals 5 hypogynous, clawed, broadly ovate, 
minutely lacerate in upper portion, veiny, glabrous, twice longer than sepals. 
Stamens 10, perfect, fllaments connate in a ring at base; anthers oblong, 
subcordate at base, introrse, erect, basifixed, slitting. Ovary free, of 2 or 3 
united carpels; styles 2-3, longer than stamens; stigmas obtuse. Samaras 8, 
each with a dorsal wing which is 4 to 5 times longer than the fruit, the whole 
covered with long white hairs which he flat on the surface, and are easily detached 
when the fruit is ripe. 
Habitat: Nata: Near Durban, Wood; Nonoti, 200 feet altitude, Wood, 8921. 
Flowering in January. Inanda, Wood, 20. 
The genus Sphedamnocarpus includes 3 species, two being natives of Angola; 
and the present species; in the Flora Capensis and also in the Index Kewensis 
this plant appears as deridocarpus pruriens, Juss, but the name here given is the 
correct one. 
The plant is not uncommon in the coast districts, and is usually found 
climbing over bushes at outskirts of woods; the yellow flowers are rather 
conspicuous. The hairs on the fruits are easily detached and are somewhat 
irritating when in contact with the skin. We are not able to ascertain the native 
name, but it is used by them medicinally. 
Fig. 1, a flower, petals removed ; 2, a petal; 3, a stamen, front view; 4, same, 
back view ; 5, pistil; 6 samara; fig. 6 natural size, remainder enlarged. 
