Plate 70. OCHNA pretoriensis. Transvaal.

Ochnaceae. Tribe Ochnaceae.

Ochna, Schreb.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. i. p. 317.

Ochna pretoriensis, Phillips, sp. nov. Rami glabri. Folia 1·5-3·8 cm. longa, 0·5-1·7 cm. lata, lanceolata, obovata, elliptica vel oblanceolata, apice obtusa, basi cuneata, marginibus serratis. Flores solitarii vel 2-nati. Pedicelli 1-1·5 cm. longi, basi articulati. Sepala 7-8 mm. longa, 4·5 mm. lata, ovata vel elliptica, apice rotundata, aliquando 2-3-lobata. Petala 1·5 cm. longa, 9·5 mm. lata, obovata, apice rotundata, basi unguiculata. Filamenta 4·5 mm. longa, apice articulata. Ovarium 4-5-loculare; stylus 5 mm. longus, apice 4-5-lobatus.

This Ochna, which is found in the Transvaal around Pretoria and at Messina, has hitherto been confused with O. atropurpurea, but is easily distinguished from that species by the larger more expanded flowers and the non-pustulate branches. The latter character distinguishes O. atropurpurea from all the other South African species of the genus.

Our plate was prepared from specimens collected on Meintjes Kop, Pretoria, by Mr. D. J. Fouche in September, 1921. It is a low spreading bush, and at this time of the year is one mass of sweet-smelling yellow flowers. The leaves do not appear until December or January, and it is then that the green sepals enlarge and turn a blood-red colour and surround the black fruit. The plant, therefore, either in flower or fruit makes a very ornamental shrub and well worth the attention of cultivators.

The genus Ochna contains several species producing valuable timber.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. Nos. 1422, 1491).

Description:—Branches with light to dark brown bark, peeling off in membranous strips, not pustulate. Leaves 1·5-3·8 cm. long, ·5-1·7 cm. broad, lanceolate, obovate, elliptic, or oblanceolate (mostly oblanceolate), obtuse at the apex, cuneate or more rarely rounded at the base, with serrated margins and with the mid-rib distinct and the lateral veins evident. Flowers solitary, very rarely paired, arising at the apex of abbreviated shoots. Pedicels 1-1·5 cm. long, articulated at or 1-2 mm. above the base. Sepals 7-8 mm. long, 4-5 mm. broad, ovate or elliptic, rounded at and sometimes 2-8-lobed at the apex, enlarging in the fruit. Petals 1·5 cm. long, 9·5 mm. broad, obovate, rounded at the apex, narrowed at the base into a claw. Filaments 4·5 mm. long, articulated at the apex; anthers 2 mm. long, oblong. Ovary of 4-6 carpels; style 5 mm. long; stigmas as many as the carpels. Fruit 7-8 mm. long, 5-6 mm. broad, more or less ellipsoid.

Plate 70.—Fig. 1, fruiting branch; Fig. 2, flower with petals removed; Fig. 3, sepal; Fig. 4, petal; Figs. 5 and 6, stamens; Fig. 7, gynaecium.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

S Gower del.