SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES OF 
Annua aquatica glaberrima. Caulis filiformis e basi ramosus erectus 
vel fluitans internodiis inferioribus elongatis superioribus brevissimis. 
Folia carnosula, inferiora linearia vel spathulata obtusa vel subacuta, 
superiora spathulata, obovata vel subrotundata. Flores axillares 
solitarii vel binis versus summitatem aggregati pedicellis capillaribus 
foliis brevioribus. Calyx gamosepalus subundulato — 4-dentatus, den- 
tibus brevibus obtusis, quam petala duplo brevior. Petala obovata 
vel ovato-spathulata obtusa alba vel rosea vel rubro-lineata stellatim 
patentia. Filamenta subulata petalis breviora antheris late oblongis 
primum sanguineis dein fuscis. Ovaria uniovulata dorso apicem 
versus subumbonata stilis brevibus abrupte filiformibus reclinatis. 
Squamae obcuneatae elongatae apice rotundatae et leviter emargi- 
natae. 
Length of branches and leaves very variable according to the 
conditions under which the plants are 
growing. The following measurements 
were taken from live specimens collected 
by Mrs T. V. Paterson near Redhouse 
(Aug. 1910). Submerged leaves (lanceo- 
late acute) 8 mm. long (with a vagina 
1'5 mm. long), upper leaves (obovate-spathulate obtuse) circ. 7 mm. 
long (with very short vagina). Pedicels 4 mm. long. Calyx (inch the 
very short lobes) '75 mm. long. Petals (white) 2 mm. long. Stamens 
1 mm. long (filaments subulate, thickest in the middle, green ; anthers 
red, broadly oblong. Carpels '75 mm. long, of which ^ belongs to the 
style. Squamae nearly as long as the ovaries. 
I have followed Harvey in lumping together under this species 
(which he calls Helophytum .natans, E. et Z.) the various species of 
Helophytum described by Ecklon and Zeyher and also the species 
of Bulliarda mentioned above, but Zeyher, 650 ( Bidliarda filiformis ) 
and E. and Z. 1843 (named Helophytum natans /3 minus in the 
Herbarium of the South African Museum) may possibly be distinct. 
The latter was found at Greenpoint near Capetown. From the dried 
material at my disposal I have not been able to come to any decision. 
Otherwise the varieties distinguished by Harvey appear to me to be 
nothing but growth-forms. 
The species is always described as annual, but in permanent pools 
it may become perennial as it constantly produces new shoots, the 
older ones dying off. 
It is found in pools and rivers of the southern coast regions of 
South Africa, but penetrates far inland where suitable conditions are 
found and consequently has also a considerable vertical range. In East 
Fig. l. 
