A Flowering branch. B Flower cut lengthwise (a corona-lobe, b pollen-carrier). C Corolla-segment and corona-lobes. D Fruit. E Seed.

margin at the base. Small trees. Leaves opposite. Flowers in terminal, many-flowered panicles.—Species 1. Madagascar. Stephanostegia Baill.
Corolla without a ring, but sometimes with a crown of hairs at the throat. 58
58. Corolla-lobes overlapping to the right. Calyx-segments narrow. Stamens inserted in the lower part of the corolla-tube. Seeds with an apical tuft of hairs. Trees or erect shrubs. Leaves opposite, herbaceous, exstipulate.—Species 6. Tropics. Some of them yield timber or medicaments. Holarrhena R.Br.
Corolla-lobes overlapping to the left. 59
59. Stamens inserted at the base of the corolla-tube. Anthers with short, pointed tails at the base. Twining shrubs. Leaves opposite, stipulate, without axillary glands. (See 46.) Gabunia K. Schum,.
Stamens inserted at the middle or in the upper part of the corolla-tube.
Anthers not tailed. 60
60. Stamens inserted about the middle of the corolla-tube. Anthers acuminate.
Stigmatic head elliptical. Seeds winged. Twining shrubs. Leaves opposite. Flowers in lateral, few-flowered cymes.—Species 2. Madagascar and Comoro Islands. Ellertonia Wight
Stamens inserted in the upper part of the corolla-tube. Erect shrubs.
Leaves whorled. Flowers in terminal cymes or panicles. 61
61. Ovules in two rows. Corolla yellow, glabrous at the throat; lobes auricled at the base. Seeds winged. Leaves with few or obscure side-nerves.
Flowers in few-flowered cymes.—Species 1. South Africa. Yields timber and an aromatic oil. Gonioma E. Mey.
Ovules in 3 or more rows. Seeds hairy. Leaves with numerous side-nerves.
Flowers in many-flowered, whorled panicles.—Species 1.
Central Africa. Poisonous and yielding cork-wood, a guttapercha-like resin, and medicaments. Alstonia R. Br.

[FAMILY 201.] ASCLEPIADACEAE

Stem usually twining and woody at the base. Juice mostly milky. Leaves simple, without stipules, usually opposite, sometimes reduced to scales. Flowers with bracts and bracteoles, regular, hermaphrodite, 5-merous. Sepals free or nearly so, imbricate in bud. Petals united below, with contorted or valvate aestivation. Stamens 5, usually adnate to the style. Filaments short or wanting. Pollen-grains united in waxy masses or in granules of 3-5 grains. Corona formed of appendages of the petals or stamens, rarely wanting. Disc none. Ovaries 2, free, superior, rarely half-inferior, with many pendulous inverted ovules on a ventral placenta, very rarely (Emicocarpus) with 1-2 ovules. Styles 2, united above into a thickened, sometimes 2-parted head bearing on its under surface 5 stigmatic dots and on its flanks between the anthers 5 small, usually horny bodies (“pollen-carriers”) to which the pollen is attached. Fruit of one or two follicles. Seeds usually with a tuft of hairs and scanty albumen. Embryo with flat cotyledons and a short radicle.—Genera 118, species 1100. (Including PERIPLOCACEAE). (Plate 130.)

1. Pollen in loosely cohering granules formed of 3-5 grains each. Pollen-carriers spoon- or trumpet-shaped, consisting of the concave blade holding the pollen, the stalk, and the adhesive gland at its base. Filaments usually free. [Subfamily PERIPLOCOIDEAE, tribe PERIPLOCEAE.] 2
Pollen of each anther-half closely united into 1-2 waxy masses. Pollen-carriers not spoon- or trumpet-shaped, consisting of a central body and two lateral, rarely obsolete arms (“caudicles”) to which the pollen-masses are attached. Filaments nearly always united or wanting.
[Subfamily CYNANCHOIDEAE.] 29
2. Corona inserted on the stamens or at their base. 3
Corona inserted on the corolla remote from the stamens, but sometimes decurrent nearly to the insertion of the stamens. 16
3. Corona consisting of free scales or threads. 4
Corona consisting of scales or threads united at their base. 9
4. Corona indistinct, consisting of minute scales. 5
Corona distinctly developed. 6
5. Corona adnate to the filaments. Corolla-lobes oval. Anthers ovate-oblong.
Leaves lanceolate. Flowers in dense, long-stalked cymes or panicles.—Species 2. East Africa. (Including Macropelma Schum. and Sacleuxia Baill.) Gymnolaema Benth.
Corona free from the filaments. Corolla-lobes linear-oblong. Anthers linear-oblong. Leaves orbicular. Flowers in lax cymes.—Species
1. Equatorial East Africa. Baseonema Schlecht. & Rendle
6. Corolla with valvate or almost valvate aestivation, divided nearly to the base. Calyx without glands. Corona-lobes broad, contiguous, usually with a linear, 2-cleft dorsal appendage. Stem twining. Leaves cordate, connected by a toothed stipular sheath. Inflorescences axillary.—Species
2. Central and South-east Africa. Used medicinally. Chlorocodon Hook. fil.
Corolla with distinctly contorted aestivation. Sepals alternating with glands, very rarely without, but then stem erect. 7
7. Anthers hairy. Corona-lobes thread-like, sometimes broadened at the base or cleft at the top.—Species 5. Some of them yield fibre, rubber, poison, or medicaments. (Including Parquetina Baill. and Socotora
Balf. fil.) Periploca L.
Anthers glabrous. 8
8. Stem woody, twining. Leaves linear. Inflorescences axillary or on axillary dwarf-shoots. Corolla white, rotate, divided nearly to the base. Corona-lobes thread-like, 3-cleft.—Species 1. Equatorial East
Africa. (Pleurostelma Schlecht., under Tacazzea Decne.) Schlechterella K. Schum.
Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only, usually erect; underground part tuberous. Corolla with a distinct tube, rarely divided nearly to the base, but then inflorescences terminal.—Species 30. Central and
South Africa. Several species yield rubber. (Raphionacme Harv., including Gonocrypta Baill., Kompitsia Cost. et Gall., and Mafekingia
Baill.) Raphiacme Harv.
9. (3.) Corona indistinct, consisting of minute scales. Corolla dark purple.
Seeds hairy all round. Leaves oblong-cordate, connected by a large toothed stipular sheath. Flowers in axillary panicles.—Species 1.
Equatorial West Africa. (Including Perithrix Pierre). Batesanthus N. E. Brown
Corona distinctly developed. 10
10. Corolla with valvate or almost valvate aestivation. 11
Corolla with distinctly contorted aestivation. 13
11. Corona-lobes united high up, usually 10. Anthers with a leaf-like appendage at the top. Pollen-carriers at first hooded, subsequently spreading reniform. Flowers in axillary cymes.—Species 7. Madagascar and
Mascarenes. Used medicinally. (Including Baroniella Cost. et Gall.) Camptocarpus Decne.
Corona-lobes united at the base only, lanceolate, 5. Anthers with a small appendage or without any. Pollen-carriers spatulate or spoon-shaped.
Leaves lanceolate. 12
12. Corona-lobes rather blunt. Anthers ending in a membranous, trigonous appendage. Stigmatic head 5-angled. Flowers in few-flowered axillary cymes.—Species 1. Island of Rodrigues. Tanulepis Balf. fil.
Corona-lobes tailed. Anthers without an appendage. Stigmatic head conical. Flowers solitary or 2-3 together.—Species 1. Madagascar. Symphytonema Schlecht.
13. Anthers hairy. (See 7.) Periploca L.
Anthers glabrous. Corona-lobes 5, filiform or linear. 14
14. Stigmatic head flat, 5-lobed. Corona-lobes shortly and unequally two-cleft at the top. Corolla yellow. Flowers small, in axillary panicles.
Leaves lanceolate.—Species 1. Madagascar. Harpanema Decne.
Stigmatic head short-conical. Corona-lobes entire or divided into 2-3 filiform branches. 15
15. Corona-lobes provided with 2 lateral teeth at the base; no lobules within them. Pollen-carriers with an oval, entire blade. Corolla greenish.
Flowers large, in terminal cymes. Leaves oblong-obovate.—Species 1.
South-east Africa. (Under Raphionacme Harv,.) Chlorocyathus Oliv.
Corona-lobes without basal teeth; 5 small lobules within them. Pollen-carriers with a notched blade. Flowers small, in axillary cymes or panicles.—Species 15. Central and South-east Africa. Some species are used medicinally, one of them produces a kind of rubber. (Including
Leptopaetia Harv.) (Plate 130.) Tacazzea Decne.
16. (2.) Corolla-tube as long as or longer than the segments. Corona-lobes awl-shaped. 17
Corolla-tube shorter than the segments. 18
17. Sepals linear, without basal glands. Corolla salver-shaped, with scales at the throat. Anthers hairy, with a tailed connective. Ovary superior.
Mericarps cylindrical, smooth. Leaves linear or lanceolate.—Species 2.
South Africa. Ectadium E. Mey.
Sepals oval, with numerous basal glands. Corolla funnel-shaped, red or violet, with scales in the tube. Anthers with an acute appendage.
Ovary half-inferior. Mericarps ribbed lengthwise or winged. Leaves oblong to ovate.—Species 2. Madagascar and Mascarenes; also cultivated in Central Africa. They yield rubber, poison, and medicaments, and serve as ornamental plants. Cryptostegia R. Br.
18. Corona double, the outer of 5 triangular, the inner of 5 obcordate scales.
Filaments rather long. Anthers with a bristle-like point.—Species 1.
Central Africa. Omphalogonus Baill.
Corona simple. 19
19. Corona-lobes 2-cleft, short and thick. Corolla bell-shaped. Sepals acuminate, with toothed glands at the base. Anthers ending in a long, awl-shaped appendage. Leaves broad-ovate. Flowers in many-flowered panicles.—Species 1. Island of Socotra. (Socotranthus O.
Ktze.) Cochlanthus Balf. fil.
Corona-lobes entire or 3-cleft. 20
20. Corona-lobes three-cleft or broadened at the base. 21
Corona-lobes entire, not broadened at the base. 23
21. Filaments united below. Stigmatic head flat. Corona-lobes thread-shaped.
Erect shrubs or undershrubs. Leaves whorled or alternate, linear. Flowers in axillary cymes.—Species 1. Southern West
Africa (Angola). (Under Tacazzea Decne.) Aechmolepis Decne.
Filaments free. Stigmatic head short-conical. 22
22. Sepals blunt, with basal glands. Corolla bell-shaped, with narrow segments.
Corona-lobes thread- or spindle-shaped. Erect shrubs. Leaves in clusters, linear. Flowers solitary.—Species 1. Island of Socotra. Mitolepis Balf. fil.
Sepals pointed. Corona-lobes usually 3-cleft. Herbs or undershrubs; underground part of the stem tuberous. Flowers in cymes. (See 8.) Raphiacme Harv.
23. Corona-lobes short and broad, arising from the very short corolla-tube opposite the segments. Stem twining.—Species 1. Madagascar.
(Under Pentopetia Decne.) Pentopetiopsis Cost. & Gall.
Corona-lobes long and narrow. 24
24. Corona-lobes thread-shaped. Sepals pointed. Flowers in cymes. 25
Corona-lobes club-shaped. Corolla bell- or wheel-shaped. 26
25. Corolla wheel-shaped. Anthers with a short mucro. Erect tuberous
shrubs. Leaves whorled.—Species 1. Madagascar. Ischnolepis Jum. & Perr.
Corolla funnel-shaped. Anthers with a long ciliate process. Twining shrubs.—Species 10. Madagascar. Used medicinally; one species yields rubber. (Under Tacazzea Decne.) Pentopetia Decne.
26. Corona-lobes arising from the sinuses between the corolla-segments.
Corolla bell-shaped, with oblong segments. Leaves opposite. Flowers in terminal and axillary cymes.—Species 1. South-east Africa to Lake
Ngami. (Under Cryptolepis R. Br.) Stomatostemma N. E. Brown
Corona-lobes arising from the corolla-tube below the sinuses. 27
27. Sepals pointed, lanceolate. Corolla bell-shaped with long and narrow segments.
Filaments united at the base. Pollen-carriers with an orbicular blade. Erect shrubs. Leaves in clusters. Flowers solitary or in pairs.—Species
1. South-west Africa to Angola. (Under Cryptolepis R. Br.) Curroria Planch.
Sepals blunt. Corolla wheel-shaped. Pollen-carriers with a linear or oblong blade. Leaves scattered. Flowers in sometimes few-flowered cymes or panicles. 28
28. Corolla with long and narrow segments, beaked in bud. Filaments united at the base. Anthers almost erect. Pollen-carriers linear. Stem twining. Inflorescences lax.—Species 15. Tropical and South Africa.
One species yields a dye. (Including Acustelma Baill.). Cryptolepis R. Br.
Corolla with oblong, rather short segments, hence not beaked in bud.
Filaments free. Anthers inflexed. Pollen-carriers with an oblong blade.
Stem usually erect. Inflorescences dense.—Species 10. Central and
South Africa. (Under Cryptolepis R. Br.) Ectadiopsis Benth.
29. (1.) Pollen-masses contained in the lower part of the anthers, pendulous from the arms of the pollen-carriers. [Tribe ASCLEPIADEAE.] 30
Pollen-masses contained in the upper part of the anthers and attached to the pollen-carriers in an erect, ascending, or horizontal, rarely (Tylophora) an almost pendulous position. 75
30. Corona obscure or wanting. [Subtribe ASTEPHANINAE.] 31
Corona distinctly developed. 34
31. Corolla shortly lobed, urceolate, hairy within. Calyx without glands.
Corona arising from the corolla-tube or wanting. Filaments short.
Stigmatic head conical, notched. Mericarps thin or rather thin. Twining shrubs. Leaves narrow. Flowers of medium size, in usually many-flowered cymes or umbels.—Species 10. South Africa. Microloma R. Br.
Corolla deeply divided. Corona arising from the staminal tube or wanting; in the latter case filaments none and flowers small. 32
32. Anthers sessile or nearly so. Corona-lobes alternating with the anthers or wanting. Corolla campanulate or urceolate, glabrous or tubercled within. Stigmatic head more or less conical. Mericarps thick or rather
thick. Shrubs or undershrubs. Flowers small, in usually few-flowered cymes.—Species 10. Southern and tropical Africa. (Including Haemax
E. Mey. and Microstephanus N. E. Brown). Astephanus R. Br.
Anthers stalked. Corona-lobes opposite to the anthers. Leaves oval. 33
33. Stigmatic head beaked. Calyx glandular. Corolla campanulate. Small shrubs. Flowers in few-flowered, sessile cymes or fascicles.—Species 1.
Northern East Africa. Podostelma K. Schum.
Stigmatic head truncate or slightly convex. Corolla campanulate or rotate. Twining herbs or undershrubs. Flowers in racemosely arranged, umbel-like cymes.—Species 1. East Africa. (Under Tylophora R. Br.) Tylophoropsis N. E. Brown
34. (30.) Corona inserted on the corolla, free from the staminal tube, but sometimes approximate to it. [Subtribe GLOSSONEMATINAE.] 35
Corona, at least the inner, inserted on the staminal tube. 43
35. Corona double, the outer ring-shaped, the inner of 5 lanceolate scales.
Anthers sessile. Calyx glandular within. Corolla rotate or widely campanulate, glabrous within, with valvate aestivation. Twining herbs or undershrubs. Flowers conspicuous, in umbels or racemes.—Species 2.
Central Africa and Egypt. Used as vegetables, as ornamental plants, and in medicine. Oxystelma R. Br.
Corona simple. Corolla with contorted aestivation. 36
36. Corona-lobes united about to the middle. 37
Corona-lobes free or united at the base only. Staminal tube short or wanting. 38
37. Sepals blunt. Corolla rotate, yellowish; segments velvety within, with distinctly contorted aestivation. Corona of 10 lobes, the alternating
2-cleft. Anthers without an apical appendage. Stigmatic head with
5 small points at the angles. Twining shrubs. Leaves wanting.
Flowers small, in few-flowered umbels.—Species 2. Madagascar. Vohemaria Buchen.
Sepals pointed, with numerous glands within. Corolla almost campanulate; segments glabrous within, with subvalvate aestivation. Corona of 5 lobes. Staminal column long. Stigmatic head flat or slightly concave, 5-lobed. Mericarps short and thick. Erect shrubs. Leaves lanceolate. Flowers in many-flowered cymes.—Species 1. Nile-lands and Sahara. Used medicinally,. (Under Cynanchum L.) Solenostemma Hayne
38. Corona inserted at the base of the corolla. Flowers in few-flowered cymes. 39
Corona inserted below the sinuses of the corolla. Calyx with 5 glands at the base. Flowers in umbel-like inflorescences. Erect herbs. 41
39. Corolla-tube longer than the segments. Calyx without glands inside.
Corona-lobes strap-shaped, gibbous outside. Twining shrubs.—Species
1. Naturalized in the island of Madeira. Araujia Brot.
Corolla-tube shorter than the segments. Herbs or undershrubs. 40
40. Calyx without glands inside. Corona-lobes petal-like. Twining undershrubs.—Species
2. West Africa. Prosopostelma Baill.
Calyx with 5 glands inside. Corona-lobes not petal-like. Mericarps thick, prickly. Erect or procumbent, downy or cottony plants.—Species
7. Central Africa, Sahara, and Egypt. Glossonema Decne.
41. Corona-lobes bristle-like, curved. Corolla with linear divisions. Stigmatic head elongate-conical. Leaves linear. Flowers solitary.—Species 1.
Northern East Africa. (Under Glossonema Decne.) Conomitra Fenzl
Corona-lobes broad. Corolla with lanceolate or ovate divisions. Leaves lanceolate or oblong. 42
42. Stigmatic head elongate-conical, 2-cleft, projecting beyond the anther-appendages.—Species
1. South Africa. (Under Parapodium E. Mey.) Rhombonema Schlecht.
Stigmatic head obtuse-subconical, not projecting beyond the anther-appendages.—Species
2. South Africa. Parapodium E. Mey.
43. (34.) Corona-lobes united more or less, usually high up. Corolla with contorted, rarely with valvate aestivation. [Subtribe CYNANCHINAE.] 44
Corona-lobes free or nearly so. Corolla with valvate or almost valvate aestivation. Erect or procumbent herbs or undershrubs, rarely twining or shrubby. [Subtribe ASCLEPIADINAE]. 60
44. Corona double. 45
Corona simple, but sometimes with small accessory teeth between or within the lobes. 51
45. Leaves reduced to scales or absent. Flowers in umbels or fascicles. Twining or procumbent shrubs. 46
Leaves well developed. 49
46. Corolla shortly lobed or cleft to the middle, with valvate aestivation. Outer corona cupular, entire or lobed. 47
Corolla divided beyond the middle, with contorted aestivation, small, white or yellow. 48
47. Corolla shortly lobed, large, red. Outer corona entire or obscurely lobed.
Stigmatic head 2-lobed.—Species 1. Madagascar. Platykeleba N. E. Brown
Corolla cleft to the middle. Outer corona distinctly lobed. Stigmatic head entire.—Species 1. Madagascar. Decanemopsis Cost. & Gall.
48. Outer corona of 5 long lobes united below, awl-shaped above. Corolla yellow. Mericarps very long.—Species 2. Madagascar and Mauritius.
Used medicinally. Decanema Decne.
Outer corona short, ring- or cup-shaped, entire or shortly lobed.—Species
8. Tropical and South Africa. The stem and the milky juice of some species are edible or used medicinally; they also yield resin. (Including
Sarcocyphula Harv.) Sarcostemma R. Br.
49. Outer corona lobed; lobes of the inner spurred. Sepals lanceolate, with
glands at the base. Corolla white or greenish, woolly. Twining shrubs.
Leaves broad-cordate. Flowers in many-flowered panicles.—Species
5. Used as medicinal and fibre-plants. (Pergularia L.) Daemia R. Br.
Outer corona nearly entire. Leaves linear, oblong, or ovate. Flowers in few-flowered umbels or fascicles. 50
50. Sepals lanceolate, without glands. Stigmatic head with a boss at the top and surrounded by a short 5-lobed cup. Erect shrubs. Leaves linear.—Species
1. East Africa. Diplostigma K. Schum.
Sepals elliptical, with minute glands at the base. Stigmatic head without a distinct boss. Twining herbs or undershrubs.—Species 4. Tropics.
Used medicinally. Pentatropis Wight & Arn.
51. (44.) Corona much lower than the stamens. 52
Corona equalling or exceeding the stamens. 54
52. Corona fleshy, crenate. Stigmatic head capitate, papillose. Mericarps linear. Erect herbs with a tuberous root-stock. Flowers in terminal panicles.—Species 1. West Africa (Congo). Nanostelma Baill.
Corona membranous, lobed. Stigmatic head with a boss or beak. Twining or procumbent undershrubs or shrubs. 53
53. Corolla campanulate. Corona-lobes alternating with the anthers. Stigmatic head with a long, 2-lobed beak. Twining undershrubs. Leaves small. Flowers axillary, solitary or in few-flowered cymes.—Species 1.
Madagascar. Pleurostelma Baill.
Corolla rotate. Stigmatic head with a boss or a short beak. Twining or procumbent shrubs. Leaves none. Flowers in umbels. (See 48.) Sarcostemma R. Br.
54. Corona very large, campanulate, corolla-like. Stigmatic head conical.
Corolla campanulate; lobes rolled back at the edge. Twining shrubs.
Flowers in axillary umbels.—Species 3. Central Africa. (Under
Cynanchum L.) Perianthostelma Baill.
Corona not corolla-like. 55
55. Corona with concave or laterally compressed lobes. Herbs or undershrubs. 56
Corona with flat, but sometimes appendaged lobes, or entire. 58
56. Corona-lobes obviously united below, concave, 10. Stigmatic head pyramidal. Sepals blunt, without glands. Flowers solitary or in pairs.
Leaves linear.—Species 1. South Africa. (Under Cynanchum L.) Flanagania Schlecht.
Corona-lobes nearly free. Stigmatic head rounded or produced into a boss at the top. Sepals pointed, with small glands at the base. Flowers in umbels or racemes. Stem twining. 57
57. Corolla with broad divisions. Corona-lobes with an inflexed apical appendage.
Leaves broad. Flowers in racemes or panicles.—Species 5.
South and Central Africa. Some have edible fruits. Pentarrhinum E. Mey.
Corolla with narrow divisions. Corona-lobes laterally compressed. Flowers
in few-flowered umbels. (See 50.) Pentatropis Wight & Arn.
58. Staminal column long. Corona-lobes 10-15. Sepals lanceolate-oblong, with basal glands. Corolla rotate. Erect shrubs. Leaves cordate-ovate.
Flowers in racemes.—Species 2. East Africa. (Under
Cynanchum L. or Vincetoxicum Moench). Schizostephanus Hochst.
Staminal column short or wanting. 59
59. Sepals subulate, with solitary glands at the base. Corolla campanulate or urceolate; lobes pointed, fleshy at the sinuses. Corona entire or 5-lobed.
Stigmatic head lengthened, mushroom-shaped. Erect herbs.
Leaves linear. Flowers small, in umbel-like inflorescences.—Species 2.
Madagascar. Pycnoneurum Decne.
Sepals lanceolate or ovate. Flowers in umbel- or raceme-like inflorescences.—Species
40. Some of them yield fibre, poison, or medicaments.
(Including Cynoctonum E. Mey., Endotropis Endl., and Vincetoxicum
Moench) Cynanchum L.
60. (43.) Corona-lobes distinctly concave, more or less hood-shaped. Erect plants. 61
Corona-lobes flat or rather flat, sometimes keeled. 66
61. Pollen-carriers with very large, broad and concave arms. Stigmatic head more or less ruminate. Sepals pointed, with numerous basal glands. Corolla rotate. Corona-lobes not spurred. Herbs. Leaves narrow. Inflorescences umbel-like.—Species 10. Central and South
Africa. (Under Asclepias L.) Stathmostelma K. Schum.
Pollen-carriers with narrow and flat arms. Stigmatic head not ruminate. 62
62. Corona-lobes with a recurved spur at the base and two teeth at the apex.
Anthers stalked. Stigmatic head depressed. Sepals pointed, with many glands at the base. Corolla green outside, red within. Mericarps inflated. Leaves broad. Flowers large, in panicles.—Species 2.
Central and North Africa. They yield a kind of rubber, bast-fibre, vegetable silk, poison, and medicaments, and serve as ornamental plants. Calotropis R. Br.
Corona-lobes not spurred. 63
63. Corona lobes with a more or less horn-like appendage arising from the cavity. Sepals pointed, with solitary or paired glands at the base.
Corolla rotate. Mericarps thick. Herbs or undershrubs. Inflorescences umbel-like.—Species 40. Central and South Africa; besides one species naturalized in the tropics. Some species yield rubber, fibre from the bark, vegetable silk from the hairy seeds, or medicaments; several serve as ornamental plants. Asclepias L.
Corona-lobes without an appendage in the cavity, but sometimes with scale- or tooth-like appendages at the base. 64
64. Corona-lobes without appendages or alternating with small teeth. Sepals pointed, with basal glands. Stigmatic head usually flat.—Species 110.
Some of them yield vegetable silk or medicaments, or serve as ornamental plants. (Including Krebsia Harv. and Pachycarpus E. Mey., under
Asclepias L.) Gomphocarpus L.
Corona-lobes with rather large scale-like appendages at the base. Sepals without basal glands. Herbs. Flowers small, in umbel-like inflorescences. 65
65. Corona-lobes curved inwards, attached to the stamens only by their basal appendages. Stigmatic head with a boss at the top. Leaves ovate.—Species
3. South and Central Africa. Woodia Schlecht.
Corona-lobes erect-connivent, inserted on the stamens. Stigmatic head elevate-conical, 2-lobed. Sepals blunt. Corolla campanulate; segments with recurved tips. Leaves linear.—Species 1. South Africa.
(Under Schizoglossum E. Mey.) Stenostelma Schlecht.
66. (60.) Corona of 3 rows of 5 lobes each; those of the middle row 3-lobed or
3-parted. Corolla rotate; segments narrowly overlapping in the bud.
Sepals with basal glands. Flowers in few-flowered umbels or corymbs.
Erect or more frequently procumbent herbs or undershrubs. 67
Corona simple. 68
67. Ovules 1-2 in each carpel. Mericarps triangular, ending in three spines.
Seeds glabrous. Branches long. Leaves palmately 5-7-lobed.—Species
1. South-east Africa (Delagoa Bay). (Lobostephanus N. E.
Brown). Emicocarpus K. Schum. & Schlecht.
Ovules 3 or more in each carpel. Branches short. Leaves linear-filiform or linear-hastate.—Species 5. South Africa. Eustegia R. Br.
68. Corona-lobes petal-like, coloured, larger than the corolla-lobes, spatulate.
Divisions of the corolla usually rolled back. Sepals with many glands at the base. Stigmatic head flat or short-conical. Erect herbs with a tuberous root-stock. Leaves narrow. Flowers in umbels.—Species 6.
Central Africa. Margaretta Oliv.
Corona-lobes not petal-like. 69
69. Corona-lobes very thick and fleshy, more rarely moderately fleshy, and then without an appendage and without a keel or with a single keel on the inner face, but sometimes alternating with small teeth. Stigmatic head low. Erect plants. 70
Corona-lobes thin, rarely somewhat fleshy, but then with 2 keels or 1-2 appendages on the inner face. Herbs or undershrubs. 71
70. Stem woody. Leaves narrow, with minute bristles in their axils. Flowers in sometimes very short racemes. Sepals with basal glands. Corolla campanulate, cleft to the middle or beyond; segments woolly within.—Species
1. Central Africa. Used medicinally. Kanahia R. Br.
Stem herbaceous or woody at the base, tuberous under ground. Flowers in umbels. Corolla divided nearly to the base.—Species 45. Central and South Africa. Some species have edible tubers or are used in medicine. (Including Glossostelma Schlecht.) Xysmalobium R. Br.
71. Corolla shortly lobed or cleft half-way down. Sepals with glands at the
base. Corona-lobes gibbous within. Stigmatic head truncate or umbonate.
Stem twining. Flowers large, in axillary umbels or racemes.
(See 34.) Oxystelma R. Br.
Corolla deeply divided. 72
72. Stigmatic head produced much beyond the anthers into a long beak 2-lobed at the apex. Corona-lobes linear. Corolla-segments narrow. Sepals awl-shaped, without glands. Flowers in lateral cymes or racemes.
Leaves linear. Twining herbs or undershrubs.—Species 1. South
Africa. (Oncinema Arn.) Glossostephanus E. Mey.
Stigmatic head not or slightly projecting beyond the anthers. Sepals with glands at the base. Flowers in umbels. Stem erect, rarely procumbent. 73
73. Stigmatic head club-shaped. Corona-lobes somewhat fleshy, with a transverse ridge or a short scale on the inner face. Sepals lanceolate, with solitary glands. Inflorescences many-flowered. Leaves linear.—Species
5. South Africa and Southern East Africa. (Including Periglossum
Decne.) Cordylogyne E. Mey.
Stigmatic head truncate or depressed and usually umbonate. 74
74. Inflorescences terminal. Sepals with many glands at the base. Corolla white, with long hairs on the edges of the segments. Connective fringed.
Corona-lobes purple, with two linear appendages at the base, but without keels. Leaves narrow.—Species 1. South Africa. Used as an ornamental plant. Fanninia Harv.
Inflorescences lateral or terminal and lateral. Corona-lobes usually with
2 keels on the inner face.—Species 120. South and Central Africa
(Including Aspidoglossum E. Mey., Lagarinthus E. Mey., and Mackenia
Harv.) Schizoglossum E. Mey.
75. (29.) Pollen-masses 2 in each anther-half (4 on each pollen-carrier), very small. Pollen-carriers very small, broad, pale, rather soft. Anthers with a more or less fringed appendage at the top. Corona, at least the inner, arising from the stamens. Flowers small, in axillary cymes or terminal panicles. [Tribe SECAMONEAE.] 76
Pollen-masses solitary in each anther-half (2 on each pollen-carrier).
Pollen-carriers hard, horny, usually of a dark colour. [Tribe TYLOPHOREAE.] 78
76. Pollen-carriers with well developed, narrow arms. Corolla yellow, urceolate, with short triangular lobes. Sepals oval.—Species 1. Madagascar.
Yields rubber. Secamonopsis Jum.
Pollen-carriers with short and broad or indistinct arms. Corolla rotate. 77
77. Stem erect, shrubby. Flowers in few-flowered cymes. Corolla adnate to the ovary at the base; segments very long, spatulate. Corona-lobes
5, filiform. Pollen-carriers without distinct arms.—Species 1.
Madagascar. Poisonous. Menabea Baill.
Stem twining or procumbent, shrubby or half-shrubby.—Species 45.
Tropical and South Africa. Some are used medicinally. (Including
Toxocarpus Wight et Arn.) Secamone R. Br.
78. Anthers with a distinct, membranous, flat or inflated appendage at the apex.
Corolla usually with contorted aestivation. [Subtribe MARSDENIINAE.] 79
Anthers with a very short appendage or a small point, or without any appendage at the apex. Corolla nearly always with valvate aestivation.
[Subtribe CEROPEGIINAE.] 93
79. Corona absent. Sepals blunt, with solitary glands. Shrubs. 80
Corona present. 81
80. Inflorescence 1-3-flowered. Corolla campanulate, woolly within; segments overlapping to the right. Stigmatic head obtuse-conical. Mericarps short, thick, covered with longitudinal ridges. Branches erect or procumbent, downy. Leaves fleshy, linear.—Species 1. South Africa
(Cape Colony.) Rhyssolobium E. Mey.
Inflorescence many-flowered. Sepals unequal. Corolla-segments overlapping to the left. Apical appendages of the anthers ciliate-laciniate.
Stigmatic head hemispheric or conical. Mericarps long, smooth.
Branches twining, glabrous.—Species 1. Madagascar and Mascarenes. Trichosandra Decne.
81. Corona arising from the corolla below its sinuses and consisting of 5 scales.
Sepals blunt. Corolla campanulate. Twining, hairy shrubs. Leaves ovate. Flowers small, in umbels.—Species 1. Tropical and South
Africa. Yields fibre. Gymnema R. Br.
Corona, at least the inner, arising from the stamens. 82
82. Corona double. Twining shrubs. Leaves herbaceous. 83
Corona simple; lobes in one row, but sometimes furnished with appendages on the inner face. 85
83. Outer and inner corona arising from the staminal column and consisting of 5 scales each. Sepals linear-lanceolate. Flowers in few-flowered umbel-like cymes.—Species 1. Southern East Africa. Swynnertonia S. Moore
Outer corona arising from the corolla, the inner from the stamens. 84
84. Sepals lanceolate. Corolla with contorted aestivation. Inner corona ring-shaped, slightly lobed. Pollen-masses horizontal. Flowers in panicles.—Species
1. Equatorial West Africa. Oncostemma K. Schum.
Sepals ovate or subulate. Corolla with valvate or almost valvate aestivation.
Inner corona of oblong lobes. Pollen-masses erect. Flowers in globose, axillary, partly stalked, partly sessile umbels.—Species 2.
West Africa. Anisopus N. E. Brown
85. Corona-lobes united high up, usually numerous. Anthers with a large inflated appendage. Pollen-masses flat and thin. Pollen-carriers very small, without distinct arms. Sepals lanceolate, with small solitary glands. Corolla rotate. Herbs with a tuberous root-stock. Leaves narrow. Flowers solitary or in fascicle- or corymb-like cymes.—Species
10. Southern and Central Africa. Some have edible tubers. Fockea Endl.
Corona-lobes free or united at the base, 5, but sometimes appendaged. 86
86. Corona-lobes with a narrow appendage on the inner face. Sepals lanceolate, with solitary glands. Corolla salver-shaped. Mericarps thick.
Twining shrubs. Flowers in dense umbels or racemes.—Species 3.
Tropical and South Africa. (Prageluria N. E. Brown, under Pergularia
L.) Telosma Coville
Corona-lobes without an appendage on the inner face, but sometimes with a small, usually tubercle-like appendage at the base of the back. 87
87. Corona-lobes united at the base, linear, erect. Sepals lanceolate, without glands. Corolla with linear segments recurved from the base. Stigmatic head truncate. Mericarps slender. Erect herbs with a tuberous rootstock. Leaves linear. Flowers in fascicles.—Species 1. Southeast
Africa to Rhodesia. The tubers are edible. Macropetalum Burch.
Corona-lobes free or nearly so. Twining plants, rarely erect shrubs or herbs without a tuberous rootstock. 88
88. Corona-lobes spreading, linear. Sepals lanceolate, without glands. Corolla rotate. Stigmatic head flat or umbonate. Mericarps thick, villous.
Twining, tomentose shrubs. Leaves elliptical. Flowers in cymes.—Species
1. Madagascar. Pervillaea Decne.
Corona-lobes spreading and tubercle-shaped, or erect, or converging. 89
89. Pollen-masses very small, disc-shaped. Corona-lobes short, usually tubercle-like. Sepals pointed, with solitary glands. Corolla rotate.
Stigmatic head more or less flattened and usually provided with a central boss at the top. Mericarps slender.—Species 25. Tropical and South Africa. Some are used medicinally. Tylophora R. Br.
Pollen-masses large or rather large, usually pear-shaped. Mericarps usually thick. 90
90. Filaments united at the base, free above. Stigmatic head produced into
a long beak. Ovary glabrous. Sepals oblong or ovate, with solitary glands. Corolla campanulate. Twining shrubs or undershrubs. Leaves leathery. Flowers in racemes or panicles.—Species 3. West Africa.
(Under Secamone R. Br. or Toxocarpus Wight et Arn.) Rhynchostigma Benth.
Filaments united up to the anthers. 91
91. Anther-appendages cohering into a long tube. Stigmatic head beaked.
Ovary hairy. Sepals elliptical, with solitary glands. Corolla campanulate, with linear segments. Twining shrubs. Leaves elliptical, herbaceous. Flowers in panicles.—Species 1. East Africa. (Under
Marsdenia R. Br.) Traunia K. Schum.
Anther-appendages not cohering into a tube. 92
92. Sepals large, without glands. Corolla funnel- or salver-shaped; tube widened below. Stigmatic head conical. Twining shrubs. Leaves leathery. Flowers large, in umbels.—Species 5. Madagascar. They are used as ornamental plants, and the hairs of the seeds as vegetable
silk. Stephanotis Thouars
Sepals small, usually with glands. Leaves herbaceous. Flowers small or of moderate size.—Species 17. Tropical and South Africa. Some species yield rubber or serve as vegetables. (Including Dregea E. Mey. and Pterygocarpus Hochst.) Marsdenia R. Br.
93. (78.) Stem cactus-like, thick and fleshy, with 4 or more angles or rows of tubercles, usually low. Leaves more or less rudimentary or wanting.
Flowers solitary or in fascicles, fleshy. Sepals pointed, with solitary glands. Corolla-segments very rarely coherent at the tip. Stigmatic head flat or ending in a small boss. 94
Stem herbaceous or woody, rarely (Ceropegia) fleshy, but then leafy or obscurely 3-angled and corolla-segments cohering at the tip, at least when young. 106
94. Branches divided by longitudinal and transverse furrows into several-ranked areas, not spiny nor bristly. Corolla rotate or campanulate, cleft to the middle. Corona-lobes 5 or 10, united at the base.—Species
7. East Africa. Echidnopsis Hook. fil.
Branches angled or tubercled, but not divided into areas, usually spiny or bristly. 95
95. Branches with more than 6 angles or rows of tubercles, rarely with 6; in this case with 3-parted spines. 96
Branches with 4, more rarely with 5 or 6 angles or rows of tubercles. Spines or other appendages of the tubercles simple. 98
96. Spines 3-parted. Flowers solitary or in pairs, large. Corolla tube- or funnel-shaped, shortly lobed. Corona double, the outer divided into 10 filiform segments terminating in knobs.—Species 2. South Africa and southern West Africa. (Tavaresia Welw.) Decabelone Decne.
Spines simple or absent. Corolla saucer- or cup-shaped. Outer corona of 5 two-lobed or two-parted pointed lobes or indistinct. 97
97. Tubercles of the stem united into continuous angles, spiny. Flowers large.
Corolla slightly lobed.—Species 10. South and Central Africa. Hoodia Sweet
Tubercles of the stem not confluent. Flowers rather small. Corolla lobed to about halfway.—Species 12. South Africa and southern
Central Africa. Trichocaulon N. E. Brown
98. Corolla-segments cohering at the tip. Corona double.—Species 5. South
Africa. Used as vegetables. Pectinaria Haw.
Corolla-segments free at the tip. 99
99. Corona simple, of 5 lobes. 100
Corona double or triple. 101
100. Sepals large. Corolla campanulate, divided half-way down, hairy, inside red mottled with yellow. Corona-lobes thick, without a dorsal crest:—Species
1. South Africa to Damaraland. (Huerniopsis N. E. Brown). Huerniopsis N. E. Brown
Sepals small. Corolla rotate or campanulate, divided to beyond the middle. Corona-lobes with a dorsal transverse crest at the base.—Species
10. South Africa. Piaranthus R. Br.
101. Third (outermost) corona corolla-like, arising from the base of the corolla-tube.
Corolla campanulate, hairy.—Species 1. South Africa (Cape
Colony). Diplocyathus N. E. Brown
Third (outermost) corona not corolla-like, arising from the throat of the corolla, or wanting. 102
102. Second (intermediate) corona disc-shaped, entire; third (outermost) ring-shaped.
Corolla rotate.—Species 20. South Africa to Lake Ngami.
Some are used as ornamental plants. Duvalia Haw.
Second (intermediate or outer) corona ring- or cup-shaped and more or less deeply divided. 103
103. Corolla with accessory teeth between the lobes, campanulate, more or less distinctly lobed or cleft.—Species 30. South and Central Africa.
Some are used as ornamental plants. (Huernia R. Br.) Huernia R. Br.
Corolla without accessory teeth between the lobes. 104
104. Corolla campanulate with broad lobes or rotate; in the latter case (as usually) outer corona divided to the base. Stem with soft spines or teeth, or without any. Flowers usually large, solitary or in pairs, more rarely in clusters.—Species 100. South and Central Africa. Some are used as ornamental or medicinal plants. (Including Podanthes Decne.) Stapelia L.
Corolla campanulate with narrow lobes or rotate; in the latter case outer corona nearly entire or more or less deeply divided, but not to the base. 105
105. Inner corona-lobes bent inwards and broadened at the tip, beset with short spines on the back; outer short, united at the base. Corolla purple-brown, rotate, cleft half-way down, bearing club-shaped hairs.
Flowers very large, solitary or in pairs. Stem with hard, usually brown spines.—Species 2. Northern East Africa. Edithcolea N. E. Brown
Inner corona-lobes not broadened at the tip. Flowers of moderate size.
Stem with soft, green spines or teeth.—Species 30. Some of them are used as ornamental plants, or as vegetables, others are poisonous.
(Including Apteranthes Mik. and Boucerosia Wight et Arn.) Caralluma R. Br.
106. (93.) Corolla tubular, rarely funnel- or salver-shaped; tube long and narrow, usually widened at the base; lobes usually cohering at the tip, at least when young. Flowers large or of moderate size, very rarely small. Herbs or undershrubs. 107
Corolla rotate or campanulate; tube short or rather long but wide; lobes rarely cohering at the tip. 109
107. Calyx without glands at the base. Corona of 5 lobes. Anthers with a small appendage at the apex. Flowers in few-flowered umbel-like cymes.
Species 3. South Africa and southern Central Africa. (Barrowia
Decne.) Orthanthera Wight
Calyx with glands at the base. Corolla more or less tubular; lobes cohering at the tip, at least in bud. Corona double, rarely simple,
but then anthers without an apical appendage. 108
108. Corona double, the inner with short lobes. Anthers with a small appendage at the apex. Mericarps constricted between the seeds. Twining plants with a tuberous rootstock. Leaves heart-shaped. Flowers long-stalked, in fascicles arranged in racemes or panicles.—Species 8. South and East Africa. Riocreuxia Decne.
Corona double, the inner with long lobes, or simple. Anthers without an apical appendage. Mericarps not constricted. Flowers solitary or in fascicles, umbels, or racemes; if in fascicles arranged in racemes or panicles, then short-stalked.—Species 90. Tropical and South Africa and Canary Islands. Some species have edible tubers or stems, or serve as ornamental plants. Ceropegia L.
109. Corona of 5 lobes inserted on the corolla beneath the sinuses, sometimes with an inconspicuous fleshy ring at the base of the staminal column.
Anthers sometimes with a short apical appendage. Corolla hairy.
Sepals ovate, without glands. Shrubs, sometimes leafless. Flowers small.—Species 6. Tropics, Sahara, and Egypt. Some species yield fibre. Leptadenia R. Br.
Corona inserted on the stamens. 110
110. Corona simple. 111
Corona double or triple. 114
111. Corona of 10 lobes united below. Sepals with glands at the base. Corolla almost rotate, deeply divided. Stigmatic head depressed. Erect herbs.
Leaves broad. Flowers very small.—Species 1. South-east Africa
(Natal). (Under Brachystelma R. Br.) Aulostephanus Schlecht.
Corona of 5 free lobes. 112
112. Corolla rotate. Sepals with glands at the base. Pollen-masses minute, orbicular. Stigmatic head with a boss at the top. Twining plants.
(See 89.) Tylophora R. Br.
Corolla campanulate or almost urceolate. Erect herbs or undershrubs. 113
113. Sepals lanceolate, with glands at the base. Corolla with contorted aestivation. Stigmatic head flat. Leaves oblong or elliptic.—Species
4. Central and South Africa. Sphaerocodon Benth.
Sepals without glands. Corolla with valvate aestivation. Leaves linear.—Species
10. South Africa. Sisyranthus E. Mey.
114. Corona 3-ranked, the outermost lobes reflexed, the others erect, the innermost the largest. Corolla campanulate, deeply divided. Twining plants. Flowers in racemes, on long pedicels.—Species 1. Equatorial
West Africa (Cameroons). Neoschumannia Schlecht.
Corona 2-ranked. Erect or procumbent herbs or undershrubs, rarely twining, but then flowers in fascicles. 115
115. Inner corona-lobes broad, shorter than the outer. 116
Inner corona-lobes narrow, longer than the outer. 118
116. Outer corona cupular, entire; inner of 5 small lobes. Corolla campanulate,
blackish-red, hairy within, with valvate aestivation. Flowers solitary, small. Leaves linear.—Species 1. Southern West Africa (Amboland). Craterostemma K. Schum.
Outer corona divided into 10 lobes. Flowers usually fascicled. 117
117. Corolla rotate, with valvate aestivation. Stem branched. Flowers small.—Species 2. South Africa. (Under Anisotome Fenzl or Brachystelma
R. Br.) Decaceras Harv.
Corolla rotate-campanulate, with contorted aestivation. Stem simple.—Species
5. South and East Africa. (Under Brachystelma R. Br. or
Tenaris E. Mey.) Lasiostelma Benth.
118. Outer corona-lobes 5, entire or 2-cleft. 119
Outer corona-lobes 10, free from each other or nearly so. Pollen-masses disciform. Flowers solitary, fascicled, or umbellate. 123
119. Corolla campanulate. Roots spindle-shaped. Stem erect. Flowers solitary or fascicled.—Species 6. South Africa. (Under Brachystelma R.
Br., Dichaelia Harv., or Lasiostelma Benth.) Brachystelmaria Schlecht.
Corolla rotate. Roots fibrous, somewhat fleshy. 120
120. Stem erect, arising from a tuber. Leaves linear. Flowers usually in racemes or panicles, rather large. Corolla-segments linear. Anthers usually with a short appendage at the apex.—Species 5. Central and
South Africa. Tenaris E. Mey.
Stem prostrate or twining. Leaves oblong or ovate. Flowers solitary or in fascicles or pseudo-umbels. Anthers without an appendage. 121
121. Leaves ovate. Flowers solitary or in pairs, small. Corolla yellow, with ovate segments. Stem prostrate, springing from a tuber.—Species 1.
South Africa. (Under Brachystelma R. Br.) Tapeinostelma Schlecht.
Leaves cordate. Flowers in fascicles or pseudo-umbels. 122
122. Stem prostrate. Flowers small. Corolla-segments oblong-linear. Inner corona-lobes subulate.—Species 2. South Africa. (Lophostephus
Harv.) Anisotome Fenzl
Stem twining. Inner corona-lobes oblong or linear-oblong.—Species 2.
South Africa. Emplectanthus N. E. Brown
123. Outer corona-lobes erect. Corolla-segments cohering at the tip.—Species
15. South Africa. (Under Brachystelma R. Br.) Dichaelia Harv.
Outer corona-lobes spreading. Corolla-segments free at the tip.—Species
35. South and Central Africa. Some have edible tubers.
(Including Micraster Harv.) Brachystelma R. Br.

ORDER TUBIFLORAE

SUBORDER CONVOLVULINEAE

[FAMILY 202.] CONVOLVULACEAE

Leaves alternate, simple, sometimes dissected or reduced to scales, exstipulate, rarely (Ipomoea) stipulate. Flowers regular, rarely slightly irregular, usually hermaphrodite. Sepals 5, rarely 4, persistent. Petals united into a 5-angled, 5-lobed, or 5-cleft, rarely a 4-lobed corolla, usually with plicate-valvate aestivation. Stamens as many as and alternating with the corolla-lobes, inserted on the corolla. Anthers 2-celled, opening inwards or laterally by longitudinal slits. Disc within the stamens, sometimes indistinct. Ovary superior, 1-4-celled, sometimes deeply divided. Ovules 1-4 in each cell, rarely (Humbertia) more, erect, inverted. Styles 1-2, sometimes 2-cleft. Seeds albuminous; embryo with folded cotyledons.—Genera 34, species 450. (Plate 131.)