26 



Lantana spp. Natural order, Verbenaceae. — These plants, 

 which are so common on the coast lands, were probably intro- 

 duced in the earlier days of the colony, and are now quite 

 acclimatised. In some parts of India, and Ceylon, they grow 

 with great luxuriance, and quite take possession of waste and 

 uncultivated lands. By some they are thought to be a great 

 nuisance, while others think that they are rather of benefit to 

 the land than otherwise, by keeping down other, and more 

 troublesome weeds, and improving land which has become im- 

 poverished. In Natal they have been attacked by a parasitic 

 or suctorial insect, which in a very short time destroys them 

 wholesale. 



Letccas martinicensis. (R.Br.) Natural order, Labiatae. — A 

 common tropical weed, not worth further notice at present. 



Milla borbonica. (Baker.) Natural order, Liliaceae. — A 

 bulb bearing weed with white flowers, formerly known as 

 Allium, fragrans. It is a native of Mauritius and Bourbon, 

 from which place it has no doubt been imported into Natal. It 

 is found in great profusion in cultivated lands, spreads with 

 great rapidity, and in Mauritius is said to be very troublesome. 



Niczndra physaloides. (Gaertn.) Natural order, Solanaceae' 

 — A half shrubby plant bearing large and pretty bell shaped 

 flowers, with its fruit enclosed in the enlarged bladder-like 

 calyx, in the same manner as the Cape Goosebery (Phy salts sp.) 

 hence the specific name. It is a native of Peru, but has be- 

 come almost naturalised in Natal, and quickly takes p -ssession 

 of unoccupied ground. The scent of the crushed leaves is 

 somewhat unpleasant. 



Oenothera macrantha. (Sellow). Natural order, Onagrarieae. 

 — One of the " Evening Primrose" family, a common tropical 

 weed, whose native country appears to be uncertain. Though 

 sometimes growing in great abundance in waste ground, it is 

 quite easily got rid of. 



Oxalis cornioulata. (Linn.) Natural order, Geraniaceae. 

 ,, semihba. (Sond). ,, ,, 



These plants are usually known as " Sorrel " and are common 

 all over the colony ; the first named is also an English weed; 

 the second is peculiar to South Africa and is occasionally found 

 with double flowers. The natives know it as (um-Swempe) 

 and the tuberous roots are said to be useful as a vermifuge, 

 while the leaves of most of the species of the genus contain a 

 certain amount of acid, and have been used medicinally. 



Parthenium hysterophorus. (Linn). Natural order, Compo- 

 sitae. — A much branched herbaceous plant, bearing numerous 

 small white flowers, and growing to two or three feet high. 



