i S 8 



PROTEACEAE 



Brabeium stellatifolium (wild almond) is an arborescent shrub, 15 — 25 feet 

 high, growing near river beds or mountain streams or in damp kloofs of the 

 South West. It flowers early in summer, when various kinds of insects, viz. 

 bees, flies, wasps and beetles frequent the fragrant trusses of flowers. 



Fig. 79. Brabeium stellatifolium L. Flowering branch. A. 



The fruits [Wilde a m<l ml el) ripen at the beginning of winter and look 

 very handsome, not unlike half-ripe almonds in shape and colour. The kernel 

 (seed) tastes like bitter almonds and contains a bitter glucoside, which yields 

 prussic acid on fermentation. The fruits float on water and are dispersed by 

 streams. 



