PLATE 356. 
Trema bracteolata, Blume. (Karvey's Genera, -p. 345, sub. Sponia). 
Natural Order, Urticaceae. 
A small tree bearing clusters of green flowers in axils of leaves. Bark rough, 
branches terete, younger portions finely pubescent. Leaves alternate, petiolate, 
stipulate, (jvate-ol^long to ovate-lanceolate more or less imeqnally roimded at base, 
gradually tapering to au ac-ute or obtuse apex, margins iinely and equally crenate- 
serrate, very minutely pubescent aud (Uirk green on upper surface, lightly coloured 
and with more pubescence lieneatli ; 3-veined at base, the secondary ones spring- 
ing from l)oth sides of the uiid-veiu, hut only from the outer >^ide of the lateral 
ones ; 2 to 4 inches long, 1 to 1^^ inch wide. Petioles to 3, inch long. Flowers 
polygamous, in small axillary cyjues. Perianth of male and perfect flowers, 
5-parted, tlie L^bes concave, compressed and sub-imbricate in bud, ciliate with 
cottony hairs, other^vise glabrous, 1 line long, of female flowers flat or only slightly 
concave. Bracts oblong, deltoid, luinute, pedicels very short, and pidDCscent like 
the Ijracts, the whole inflorescence as long, or a little longer than the petiole. 
Stamens 5, opjDOsite perianth segments, filaments as long as perianth lolies ; anthers 
2-celled exserted, oblong. Styles 2, very short, hairy. Ovary superior, af)(^rtive 
in male flowers, in female and perfect ones surrounded by a ring of cottony liairs, 
several ovuled, ovules pendulons. Fruit a suudl globose drupe seated in the 
persistent perianth, black wlien ripe, 13, to 2 iines diameter, crowned by remains 
of the stigmas. 
Habitat: Natal: Near Dnrliaji, IFooJ, Inanda 1800 feet alt., October, W(><,J, 
625. Zululand, 0000 feet ah. .]amnny, Dncis,, 109. (Col Herb, 8786). 
In " Harvey's Olenera " this plant appears as Spovia, but that name has now 
been superseded by Tremd, it is also said that there are two species in Natal, l)ut 
so far Ave have uiet with this one oidy. Tlie genus contains some 30 species, which 
maj^ probably be reduced to a1)()ut 20. The species are found in tropical and 
subtropical regions widely dispersed. The flowers are said to be of three forms, 
staminate only, pistillate only, and perfect, and in Harvey's Genera it is stated 
that the females are usually on separate twigs ; but we find that in the cymes in 
which female flowers occur they are mixed with the others, l)ut much less numer- 
ous. The tree attains a Jieight of 20 to 30 feet, the wood, according to Foiu'cade, 
" is moderately light aud soft; light yellow tinged with red." The only nse to 
which it is put is for break blocks for wagon wheels, for whicli purpose it appears 
to be well suited. The native name is " Nbantini " — and the bark of the tree is 
used by them as a medicine. 
Fig. 1 , perfect flower ; 2, female flower ; 3, perianth lobe of female flower 
(inner view) ; 4, bud of male flower ; 5, male flower ; 6, perianth lobe of male 
flower with stamen ; 7, bract ; 8, underside of leaf showing venation ; except fig 8, 
all enlarged. 
