Sapotaceae.
Chrysophyllum, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. ii. p. 653.
Chrysophyllum magalismontanum, Sond. in Linnaea, vol. xxiii. p. 72;
Fl. Cap. vol. iv. sect. 1, p. 437.
The genus Chrysophyllum is a small genus in South Africa, having only three representatives, two in Natal and one in the Transvaal. The species figured here is the common one in the Transvaal, being found all along the rocky outcrops of the Magaliesberg range and known as “stam vrucht,” because the fruits are borne on the old stems. The fruits, which are oval in shape, are somewhat larger than a cherry, and are used to make preserve. The plants flower in October and ripe fruits are formed in January. A milky juice characteristic of all the species in the Sapotaceae is present in the plant. A member of the order, Mimusops balata, Crueg, native of Guiana, yields a guttapercha (balata).
The specimens from which our illustration was made were gathered at Eloff’s Cutting near Pretoria by Mr. D. J. Fouche.
Description:—A bush. Youngest branchlets rufo-tomentose, at length becoming pubescent. Leaves petioled; blades 3-9 cm. long, 1·6-4·4 cm. broad, oblong-obovate or oblong, retuse at the apex, slightly narrowed at the base, dark green above, rufo-tomentose beneath on young leaves, becoming greyish tomentose on the older leaves; petiole 1 cm. long, pubescent. Flowers arising on the old wood. Pedicels 2 mm. long, rufo-tomentose. Sepals unequal 2·5-3 mm. long, 2-3·5 mm. broad, ovate, obtuse; the 3 outer longer than the 2 inner and densely rufo-tomentose. Corolla-tube 1 mm. long; lobes 2·5 mm. long, ovate, obtuse. Filaments 1·5-2 mm. long, terete, glabrous; anthers 1 mm. long, oblong in outline. Ovary 2 mm. in diameter, villous, gradually passing into the 1·5 mm. long style; stigma terminal, simple. Fruit 2·5 cm. long, 1·7 cm. in diameter, ellipsoid, dark-red when ripe (National Herb. Pretoria 2636).
[Plate 98.]—Fig. 1, flower; Fig. 2, portion of corolla and stamens; Fig. 3, stamen; Fig. 4, pistil; Fig. 5, seed.