NOVITATES AFRICANAE 
129 
Drosanthemum roridum, L. Bolus. Fruticulus suberectus, 25 — 30 cm. altus; 
rami graciles, sat rigidi, vix ad 2 mm. diam., juniores papilloso- 
pubescentes, senecti leviter asperuli vel leves, internodiis saepius 1 — 
1-5 cm. longis; folia adscendentia, obscure carinata, supra plana, lateribus 
subconvexis, lateraliter visa superne leviter attenuata, apice saepius 
rotundata vel juiiiora subtruncata, vagina 2 mm. longa, papillosa, papillis 
parvis crebris, pallide glauco-viridia, ad 1-2 cm. longa, 2 mm. lata, basi 
4 mm., apicem versus 3 mm., diam.; pedunculi 0-5 — 1-5 cm. longi, cum 
receptaculo semi-globoso, papillis patentibus vel decurvatis, gracilibus 
pubescentes; flores solitarii diurni, 2cm. diam.; sepala 6, inter se fere 
aequilonga, ad 5 mm. longa; petala 2 — 3-seriata lineari-spathulata emar- 
ginata roseo-purpurea, 9 mm. longa, ad 1-5 mm. lata; stamina erecta vel 
subdiffusa, filamentis roseo-purpureis vel interioribus albis, barbatis, ad 
4 mm. longis, antheris albis; discus e glandulis 6, profunde lobatis, 
connatis, compositus, glandulis intermediis minoribus, crenulatis; ova- 
rium supra medio leviter convexum, profunde 6-lobatum, stigmati- 
bus 6, e basi anguste subulato longe attenuatis, 4 mm. longis; capsula 
non visa. 
Cape Province: Klein Karroo; Montagu Div., alt. 2000 ft., Dr John 
Muir, 4121. 
Described from several living branches from plants flowering in Dr 
Muir’s garden at the end of September. Two flowers in good condition 
only seen. Dr Muir notes that the plant is: “a shrub 11 — 12 in. high, 
somewhat erect and compact, the branches rigid and brittle. The rose 
pink flowers form a contrast with the beautiful grey foliage.” The pale 
grey-green colour of the leaves is due to the small crowded papillae 
looking like minute dew-drops. The name, roridum (bedewed), is in 
allusion to this character. 
Leipoldtia compacta, L. Bolus. Planta glabra, 7 — 8 cm. alta, dense ramosa, 
ramis ad 7 cm. longis, ad 5 mm. diam., ramulis ultimis albis, 2 — 4 foliatis, 
axillis gemmiferis; folia obtuse carinata, supra lateribusque subconvexa, 
glauco-viridia, levissime lepidota, ad 1-5 cm. longa, 3 — 4 mm. lata 
diametroque, vagina ad 2 mm. longa; flores ternati, laterales tardissime 
evoluti, meridiani, 1-7 — 2-2 cm. diam.; pedunculi teretes, 4 mm. longi, 
demum spinescentes ; receptaculum globose turbinatum; sepala inter se 
fere aequilonga, 4 vel quintum minimum additum, 4 mm. longa, 3 
membranaceo-marginata ; petala 1 — 2-seriata, rosea lineari-spathulata 
obtusa, ad 2 mm. lata, 7-8 mm. longa; stamina conico-collecta, apice 
1-5 mm. diam., staminodiis paucis, filamentis superne albidis, basi roseo- 
barbatis, ad 6 mm. longis, antheris pollineque pallidis; discus annularis, 
crenulatus; ovarium supra convexum; stigmata 8, filiformia, acuminata, 
rubescentia, 6 mm. longa, demum stamina superantia; fructus non 
visus. 
