NOVITATES AFRICAN AE 
71 
breviter 3-dentatum; vexillum ovatum galeatum, supra medium carina- 
tum, basi auriculatum, auriculis crassis, lamina ad 2 - 3 cm. longa, ungue 
vix 0-2 cm. longo, callis oblongis, apice rotundatis, ad 0-3 cm. longis; 
alae oblique ovatae, lamina ad 1 cm. longa, ungue ad 0-4 cm. longo; 
carina obtusa, ca. 2 cm. longa; filamenta stylo aequilonga, antheris 
simillimis, 0-1 cm. longis; ovarium stipitatum lineare hispidulum, 
saepius 5-ovulatum, stylo flexu dilatato glabro, deinde tereti, dense 
barbato, stigmate capitato; legumen immaturum subfalcatum, 4 cm. 
longum. 
Cape Province: South-Eastern Region; Transkei, Kentani, along 
streams, fl. Feb. — March, Alice Pegler, 1178. Flowered freely for 
several years during March at Kirstenbosch from seeds sent by 
Mr Stayner from Enkazini Forest, Natal (National Botanic Gardens, 
No. itfi). 
Allied to D. Lablab, but is easily distinguished by the minute 
bracteoles which are deciduous at a very early stage, by the larger 
flowers (2-5 cm. long), ovate galeate vexillum, and the non-rostrate 
carina. 
This is probably the handsomest of the South African species of 
Dolichos. The petals on first opening are a reddish purple, the vexillum 
having an M-shaped clear-yellow blotch at the base of the blade, 
bordered by a narrow band of deep purple. Later in the day the colour 
changes to a beautiful mauve, and the yellow grows fainter, finally 
becoming a bluish white. The gradation of shades, therefore, that is 
to be found in a flower-cluster is very varied and gives a most charming 
effect to the whole. 
Mesembrianthemum Peacockiae, L. Bolus ( Ficoideae-Mesembricae ), sectioni 
“ Scabrida ” convenit, sed ab omnibus ceteris caule graciliore reptante, 
foliis semiteretibus, floribus solitariis distinguitur. 
Caulis gracillimus reptans flexuosus, ramis erectis, saepissime ad 
3 cm. altis (pedunculo excluso) ; folia adscendentia, deinde patula, basi 
connata, semiteretia acuta purpureo-apiculata, glauca vel in cultis 
viridescentia, punctata, punctis ad lucem pellucidis, 0-6 0-9 cm. longa, 
basi vix 0-2 cm. lata; pedunculi erecti graciles, medio vel mfra 2-brac- 
teati, bracteis foliis paullo majoribus, 1 fl-, floribus 5-meris, 2-5 3 cm. 
diam. ; calyx clavatus punctatus, segmentis subaequilongis lanceolatis 
acuminatis, duobus late membranaceo-marginatis, membrana atro- 
brunnea, 0-4— 0-5 cm. longis; petala stricte radiata, 1-seriata, saepis- 
sime obtusa, basin versus gradatim attenuata, pallide rosea, apicem 
versus marginibusque purpurascentia, 1 P2, rarissime a 
longa, vix ad 0*2 cm. lata; stamina conferta, ca. 0 3 cm. lon^a, 
mentis basi barbatis albidis, superne purpurascentibus, antheris luteis: 
