The buds just before the flowers open are between 3 and 4 cm. long, and in about four days are completely open, and then a little over 4 cm. long. The stamens do not all ripen at the same time; two or three project and shed their pollen, being followed after a short interval by the remainder. While the stamens are dehiscing the style remains within the perianth and lengthens only after the pollen has been shed. It then projects beyond the perianth, which now begins to wither and close tightly round the style. While this is taking place the filaments contract by twisting and are drawn back into the perianth. The inclusion of the style during the dehiscence of the anthers and its subsequent projection ensures cross-pollination.
Our plate was prepared from specimens growing in the Aloe collection at the Division of Botany, Pretoria.
Description:—An acaulescent plant or with a short stem with a rosette of leaves. Leaves up to 20 cm. long, about 8 cm. broad, dark green with dark longitudinal marking on the upper surface, lighter green and faintly spotted beneath, acuminate, usually brown and withered at the tip, with spines on the margins; spines 8 mm. long, about 1·5 cm. apart and more or less at right angles to the leaf. Inflorescence ·3-·5 m. high, simple or branched. Peduncle terete with a few dry membranous acuminate bracts. Flowers in a contracted raceme. Floral bracts 1·5-2·5 cm. long, long-acuminate from an ovate-lanceolate base. Pedicels 2·5-4 cm. long, terete. Perianth-tube 3·3 cm. long, 9 mm. in diameter above, gradually narrowing below and dilated into a globose base; segments 1 cm. long, ·5 cm. broad, oblong, obtuse, slightly reflexed in the mature flower. Filaments in buds 2·4 cm. long, linear, in mature flowers lengthening to 3·5 cm. and becoming corrugated in the upper half. Ovary 8 mm. long, cylindric; style 2·5 cm. long, cylindric, lengthening in older flowers to 3·8 cm.; stigma simple (National Herb. Pretoria 2593).
[Plate 96.]—Fig. 1, perianth-lobes; Fig. 2, stamens; Fig. 3, pistil; Fig. 4, tip of style, much enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
M. Page del.