
Refugium Botanicum. |] [June, 1878. 
TAB. 346. 
Natural Order Myrsinez. 
Genus EmpetiA, Burm. 
E. Kravssu, Harv. Thes. Cap. ii. p. 17, t. 127 (1868)! Frutex 
glaber, subscandens ; foliis obovato-ellipticis, duplo longioribus 
quam latis, apice breviter et abrupte acuminatis, basi angus- 
tatis, integerrimis, submembranaceis, breviter petiolatis ; flori- 
bus 4—5-(sepius 5)-meris, hermaphroditis seu polygamis, in 
racemis lateralibus densioribus foliis multo brevioribus dis- 
positis ; lobis calycinis deltoideis, acutis; petalis oblongis vel 
oblanceolatis, patentibus, estivatione imbricatis nec contortis. 
—Celastrus oleoides, Hochst. in pl. Krauss, n. 407, non Lam. 
Choripetali spec., Harv. in Hook, Lond. Journ. Bot. i. p. 22. 
A native of Natal, Dr. Krauss. 
A lax semi-scandent shrub, with smooth terete branches, 
glabrous all over except the inflorescence. Leaves obovate- 
elliptic, suddenly and shortly acuminate, narrowed from above 
the middle gradually towards the base, quite entire, firmly sub- 
membranous, spreading, of a bright green colour on both sides, 
an inch and a half to three inches long by three-fourths to an 
inch and a quarter wide; petiole one-sixth to one-third of an 
inch long; lateral veins obscure, pellucid, making an acute angle 
with the midrib. Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous, four to 
five (usually five)-merous, tinged with pale green, about a quarter 
of an inch across, glandular, arranged in short rather dense 
lateral racemes; calyx small, with deltoid acute lobes; petals 
oblong or oblanceolate, spreading, imbricated (quincuncial when 
five) but not contorted ; stamens adnate to the petals below the 
middle, glabrous ; filaments erect-patent, rather shorter than the 
petals ; ovary one-celled, with one or two basal ovules, frequently 
abortive —W. P. Hiern. 
Tas. 345.—1, flower closed; 2, flower opened; 3, single petal, 
with stamens; 4, pistil; 5, section of ovary: all magnified.—J. G. B; 

I received the seeds of this plant, many years since, from 
Natal; I think from Mr. Plant, but I am not certain. The only 
specimen I have, which is a very inconspicuous half-climbing 
shrub, came from this seed. It seems to thrive in a warm 
sreenhouse, training the branches near the class.—W. W.S. 
