NOVITATES AFRICAN AE 
41 
perbreves, omnino in bracteis inclusi; bracteae foliis majores, ad 1-2 cm. 
longae, vagina ad 9 mm. longa; calyx clavatus vel clavato-turbinatus, 
in bracteis inclusus, segmentis 4 — 5, inter se subaequilongis, tribus 
angnste membranaceo-marginatis ; petala 2-seriata, inter se sub- 
aequilonga, linearia, interne leviter angustata, integra vel 2-dentata, 
roseo-purpurea, ad 1*2 cm. longa, 1 — 1-5 mm. lata; stamina collecta, 
staminodiis filiformibus, sat longis, circumdata, mox diffusa, 1-1 cm. diam., 
filamentis purpureis, interne albis, barbatis, ad 6 mm. longis, antlieris 
pollineque albidis; discus annularis crenulatus; ovarium supra vix con- 
vexum, stigmatibus 8 — 10, anguste subulatis, acuminatis, 4 — 5 mm. longis. 
Cape Province: Western Region; Little Namaqualand, on slopes facing 
the sea, south of Hondeklip Bay, N. S. Pillans (Bolus Herbarium, 
No. 17758). North slopes of Flamink Berg, Walle Kraal, N. S. Pillans 
(Bolus Herbarium, No. 17911). 
A distinct species characterised by the bracts which are larger than 
the leaves and enclose the short peduncle and calyx-tube. The fine 
scurfiness on the leaves, between the pellucid dots, tends to give a slightly 
velvety feel to the touch. Described from ample living material. 
M. deliciosum, L. Bolus (§ Acinaciformia). Rami elongati radicantes, ramulis 
erectis, saepius 8 — 10-foliatis; folia suberecta vel demum saepe patenti- 
incurva, acute triangularia, acuta, valde compressa, carina integra vel 
obscure cartilagineo-crenulata, seniora subacinaciformia, laevia glauco- 
viridia, ad 11 cm. longa, 1-5 cm. diam., vagina 0-7 — 1 cm. longa; flores 
solitarii, meridie expansi, 7 — 8 cm. diam. ; pedunculi erecti, apice constricti, 
deinde patentes, demum in fructu sursum curvati, 7 — 9 cm. longi, parum 
supra medium bracteati, bracteis 5 — 6 cm. longis vel rarius ultra; calyx 
subglobosus, segmentis inter se inaequalibus, ad 2-8 cm. longis; petala 
numerosa pluri-seriata, anguste linearia, acuminata roseo-purpurea, ad 
3 cm. longa; stamina mox diffusa, filamentis brevibus, basi barbatis; 
ovarium supra planum, in medio vero leviter convexum, stigmatibus 
patentibus linearibus perbrevibus, ad 3 mm. longis, mox marcescentibus ; 
fructus maturus subglobosus laevis brunneus, calycis segmentis mar- 
cescentibus onustus, edulis deliciosus, 2-5 cm. diam. 
Cape Province: South-Western Region; Riversdale Div., Albertinia, 
D. Cronje (Bolus Herbarium, No. 17440). 
Described from specimens which flowered in F. Bolus’ garden at Clare- 
mont during September 1924 and fruited during December. The original 
plants were collected by Miss D. Cronje in 1923. 
This is chiefly to be distinguished from all the species hitherto described 
in this section by the very short stigmas which radiate and become 
almost plastered to the ovary, leaving a small depression in the centre, 
usually filled with pollen; and by the peduncle which is constricted at the 
MARY GUNN LIBRARY 
NATIONAL BOTANICAL INSTITUTE 
PRIVATE BAG X 101 
PRETORIA 0001 
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA 
