193 



Fam. 20. Phytolaccaceae. 



(Plate 47, B, C.) 



Herbs or shrubs with entire leaves and inconspicuous 

 greenish or whitish flowers. Inflorescence racemose. 

 Flowers bisexual or unisexual, regular ; perianth simple, 

 5-parted. Stamens 5 — co . Ovary superior, different in 

 the two genera. In Microtea, which is one of those 

 anomalous genera that occupy an intermediate position, 

 being nearly allied to Chenopodiaceae, the ovary 

 consists of 2 completely connate carpels; in Phytolacca on 

 the other hand, there are 6 — 1 5 more or less connate 

 carpels, each one with 1 ovule attached to the ventral 

 suture. Fruit of Phytolacca formed of several fleshy or 

 nearly dry fruitlets, free or connate. Seeds with 

 perisperm, which is surrounded by the curved embryo. 



(Plate 47, B, 4O 



TWO S. A. GENERA. 



A. Carpels 2, united into a i -celled, i-ovuled ovary; styles 2, with entire 



or trifid stigmas. 



4 S. A. species. 



Syn. Lophiocarpus and Wallinia in Harv. 

 i. Microtea Sw. 



B. Carpels several, free or united into a several-celled ovary ; styles 6 



or more, free. 



4 species in S. A. 2. Phytolacca L. 



Phytolacca. 



Two introduced species of this genus are well known throughout South 

 Africa, viz. Phytolacca americana, the kermes bush, karmozijnbos, and Ph. dioica, 

 the belombra tree. The latter is a quick-growing, rather stout tree with large 

 leaves, hence giving ample shade. The fruit is used for making jam and other 

 preserves. 



Phytolacca americana, on the other hand, is, although 5 to 8 feet high, 

 really a bushy herb, which has become quite acclimatised here and there in the 

 neighbourhood of homesteads or open glades of forests. The fruit, a spike 

 of drupes or drupelets, contains a dark red juice, which is sometimes used for 

 colouring foods or beverages (vegetable kewnes). The fleshy roots are 

 poisonous, but also used medicinally by the kaffirs. 



Three indigenous species with dry fruitlets occur in the East and North. 



M. 25 



