Romulea Austinii, Phillips, sp. nov.; affinis R. hirsutae, Eck., sed floribus aurantiacis, bractea interior marginibus latis membranaceis differt.
Cormi 1·5 cm. longi, 1·2 cm. diametro, tunicis brunneis obtecti. Folia 3 vel 4, lineari-filiformia, acuta, 4-10 cm. longa, 0·75 mm. lata, profunde sulcata, basi vaginata. Flores 2-3-nati; pedicelli 1·2 cm. longi, subteretes, glabri, demum spiraliter curvati. Valva exterior elliptico-oblonga, herbacea, apice dentata, 9 mm. longa, 4 mm. lata, 9-nervia, marginibus angustis membranaceis, interior subaequalis, apice bifida, 5-6-nervia, marginibus latissime membranaceis. Perianthii tubus campanulatus, 5-6 mm. longus, lobis 1·5 cm. longis 0·7 cm. latis obovatis obtusis interioribus aurantiacis exterioribus purpureo notatis. Filamenta 9 mm. longa, basi explanata et pilosa, medio dorso pilosa; antherae 4 mm. longae, 2 mm. latae, ellipsoideae, primum leviter connatae. Ovarium subglobosum; stylus 1 cm. longus, teres, glaber, ramis 3·5 mm. longis bifidis.
South Africa: Matjesfontein, A. J. Austin.
We are indebted to Mr. A. J. Austin for this charming little species of Romulea, which is apparently undescribed. It was gathered at Matjesfontein. The same species was collected a few years ago by Schlechter (No. 8847) at Matjes River at an altitude of 2500 feet, and distributed by him as Romulea hirsuta, Eckl., var. aurantiaca. Although resembling R. hirsuta in general appearance, it is easily distinguished by the colour of the flowers and especially by the very broadly membranous margins of the inner spathe valve. The flowers close up at night.
Our knowledge of the genus Romulea in South Africa is still very meagre, and much field-work is necessary in order to understand the range and variability of the species.
Description:—Corms 1·5 cm. long, 1·2 cm. in diameter with brown tunics. Leaves 3-4 to a corm, 4-10 cm. long, 0·75 mm. broad, with five deep and narrow grooves, acute, somewhat sheathing at the base and forming a distinct neck, minutely ciliate. Flowers 2-3 to a spathe. Pedicels 1·2 cm. long, subterete, glabrous, becoming spirally coiled in old flowers. Outer spathe valve 9 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, elliptic-oblong, toothed at the apex, 9-nerved, with membranous margins; inner spathe valve about same size as outer, deeply bifid at the apex, 5-6-nerved with very broad membranous margins. Perianth-tube 5-6 mm. long, campanulate; lobes 1·5 cm. long, 0·7 cm. broad, obovate, obtuse, reflexed in the open flower, yellow in colour with a spade-like purple mark on the three outer and smaller purple marks on the three inner. Filaments 9 mm. long, convex on the back, grooved on the front face, broadened and pilose at the base, pilose on back about the middle; anthers 4 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, elliptic, in flowers which have just opened the anthers are somewhat joined and the stigmas appear between the anthers. Ovary subglobose; style 1 cm. long, terete, glabrous; lobes 3·5 mm. long, each subdivided into 2 lobes 2 mm. long.
[Plate 90.]—Fig. 1, leaf; Fig. 1a, section of leaf; Fig. 2, spathe valve; Fig. 3, perianth from outside; Fig. 4, same from above; Fig. 5, section of flower; Fig. 6, stamen; Fig. 7, base of filament; Fig. 8, anther (front); Fig. 9, anther (back); Fig. 10, style; Fig. 11, inner valve.
F.P.S.A., 1923.