RANUNCULAC] Al 



Fig. 98. Clematis Stanley! Hook. Veld near Johannesburg. Photo, by A. Graham Cook 



Ranunculus. 



The genus Ranunculus has its headquarters in the northern hemisphere, 

 but like a considerable number of other northern genera it is also represented 

 in South Africa, not only by introduced but also by some indigenous and 

 endemic species. One must assume that these have originated from some 

 northern forms introduced by migratory birds during former geological periods. 



Ranunculus pinnatuS) one of the smaller species of buttercups (botcfblocm) 

 of European, or at any rate of northern origin, is now fairly frequent in wet 

 spots throughout South Africa. The hairy variety (R. pubescent) goes under 

 the name of " kankerblaren." The equally ubiquitous R. aquatilis, which 

 has white flowers, is often found in vleis and ponds. 



The indigenous R. Cooperi, with beautiful large leaves, occurs on the 

 banks of mountain streams in Natal. (Plate 61, A.) 



Knowltonia*. (Plate 60, facing page 2 2}.) 

 Here as in Ranunculus the flowers are complete, although there is little 

 difference in the colours of the calyx and corolla. Sepals 5 ; petals 5 or 10 

 or more, green like the sepals or slightly paler, l-'ruitlets with a juicy mesocarp, 

 forming an etaerio of drupelets of the same nature as that of the blackberry, 

 but poisonous. The genus is sometimes included in Anemone. 



There are 10 species, mostly endemic in the South West and South, one 

 in the Transvaal. 



* Named after T11. Knowi.ton, a director of the formerly famous Botanic Garden 

 at Eltham. Died 1781. 



