ig8 



AIZOACEAE 



revived, we may anticipate many additions during the next 

 decade. 



The genus is almost entirely South African, having 



its headquarters in the Karoo 

 and the karroid plains and 

 mountains of the North West. 

 A considerable number eross 

 the Orange river, or occur 

 only beyond it in Great 

 Namaqualand, and a lew 

 stragglers go through Bechu- 

 analand and the Transvaal 

 further north. 



Apart from South African 

 species which have been carried 

 to North Africa, southern 

 Europe or other countries, e.g. 

 Australia, by human agency, 

 a few only occur beyond our 

 limits. There are one or two 

 endemic species in Australia, 

 nearly allied to some at the 

 Cape and probably derived 

 from them, and a couple in 

 eastern and northern Africa. 

 One is endemic at St Helena. 

 Numerous species form 

 wholesome food for all kinds 

 f stock, e.g. the large-rooted M. tuberosum and 

 M. megarhizu?n, the widely spread M. spinosum (Fig. 89) 

 and the pretty M. floribundum. Of many others, which 

 are too saline or too astringent to serve as food entirely, 

 the flowering tops are eagerly eaten, and the genus is 

 consequently as useful and important to the pastoral 

 population of a large portion of Cape Colony as the 

 grasses arc to other districts and countries. 



Fia;. 87. M ' esembrianthemum rubro-Uncatum 

 N. E. Br. Kcw Bull. 191 1, 82. 

 An old plant (Griquatown). Showing 

 the large roots. 1/2 nat. size. 



O 



