Plate 193.
Reading edition
SUTHERLANDIA FRUTESCENS. Cape Province, Orange Free State, Natal, Transvaal. Leguminosae. Tribe Galegeae. Sutherlandia, R.Br.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. i. p. 503.
Sutherlandia frutescens, R.Br. Hort. Kew. ed. 2, p. 327; Fl. Cap. vol. ii. p. 212.
This plant was named by the great English botanist in honour of James Sutherland, one of the earliest superintendents of the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. The genus has only one species, which is widely distributed throughout South Africa, and is probably the most handsome native plant in the family Leguminosae. According to the Botanical Magazine, in which the plant was figured (Plate 181), Sutherlandia frutescens was known in cultivation as early as 1683, and later became generally known in European gardens.
Sutherlandia frutescens forms a small bush, but may grow to 3-4 ft. high, and is found usually in fairly dry places. It is known under several local names, but probably the most common is “Kanker bos” (cancer-bush), as it is reputed to be a cure for cancer.
As the plant is easily raised from seed, and the flowers are particularly beautiful, it should be more generally cultivated.
We are indebted to Mr. C. A. Smith, B.Sc., for the specimens which he collected at Fauresmith in the Orange Free State.
Description:—A shrub. Branches pubescent, at length becoming glabrous. Leaves 6 to 9 cm. long, imparipinnate; leaflets alternate or opposite, 1 to 2 cm. long, 3 to 6 mm. broad, lanceolate or oblong, obtuse, thinly pubescent. Inflorescence an axillary raceme, peduncle and pedicels covered with short stiff sparse hairs. Floral-bracts 3 mm. long, oblong. Pedicels 1·2 cm. long. Calyx-tube 1 cm. long, deeply campanulate; lobes 4·5 mm. long, ovate, acuminate. Vexillum 3 cm. long, 1·2 cm. broad, obovate, acuminate; alae 8 mm. long, 1·5 mm. broad, oblong, obliquely clawed; keel 3·5 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, more or less oblong, with a linear claw 1·2 cm. long. Stamens diadelphous; filaments filiform. Ovary stalked, 1·5 cm. long, linear, with many ovules; style 1·5 cm. long, bearded on the inner face. Pod membranous, inflated. (National Herb., Pretoria, No. 2943.)
Plate 193.—Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower.
F.P.S.A., 1925.
