15 



Phytolacca octandra, L. Order Phytolaccace^. 



This plant is a native of Japan, and how it came to Natal 

 is unknown. It was first observed here by the late Mr. John 

 Sanderson when the railway cuttings were made between 

 Botha's Hill and Inchanga, and specimens were sent to the 

 writer for identification. Since then it has been carried up 

 the railway line for long distances, having been observed at 

 least as far as Lidgetton, but always, or nearly always, between 

 the railway fences. It has some reputation of being poisonous 

 to cattle, but as the young shoots are in some countries said to 

 be cooked and used as a vegetable this may be doubted ; other 

 species of the genus are undoubtedly more or less poisonoifs. 



Richardsonia pilosa, H.B.K. Order Rubiace^;, 



Originally a native of tropical America, this plant has in 

 recent years become acclimatised in Natal, especially so in 

 coast districts. In some countries it is said to be a good herb 

 for pastures, especially on sandy soils, in Natal its long roots 

 make it an undesirable plant in grass plots, where it spreads 

 with rapidity ; it is said that not only cattle but also fowls are 

 very fond of it. The roots have been used medicinally as 

 " White Ipec&chuana." 



RlJMEX ACETOSELLA, L. Order POLYGONACE^}. 



This plant is a native of Europe, and is popularly known 

 as "Sheep-sorrel." Mr. Burtt-Davy, in the "Transvaal 

 Agricultural Journal," says of it : " It is a most troublesome 

 perennial weed among wheat and other crops of short duration, 

 making its growth among the stubble. Unfortunately this 

 weed stands drought remarkably well, and has the power of 

 spreading among veld grasses and of choking them out, so that 

 if it spreads on the open veldt, it is probable that in time it 

 will seriously diminish the carrying capacity of stock farms." 



In Natal it has only been seen by the writer twice, once near 

 Mooi River and once near Inchanga, in both cases most likely 

 an escape from cultivated land, 



Silene gallica, L. Order Caryophyllace^. 



A weed of cultivation, probably a native of South of 

 Europe, it has found its way into many other countries ; in 

 Cape Colony it has been known as " Gunpowder weed," and is 

 said to be a troublesome weed ; in Natal it was first observed 

 by the writer in 1882 near Durban where horses had been 

 kept during the Zulu War, but it gradually died out, and has 

 not been seen by us since about 1885 or 1886, 



