Burchellia bubalina is known locally as “Buffels-hoorn� (not “Buffelsdoorn�), on account of the horn-like calyx lobes, which persist on the fruit. The bright-red flowers give rise to the name “Wild pomegranate,� or “Wilde granaat.� There are also various native names for the plant.
The single species of this genus is endemic to South Africa, and has a wide distribution. In the south-west it is known as far as Swellendam, whence it ranges through the forests to Natal and the Transvaal. Mr. Galpin has recorded the plant from the summit of Saddleback Mountain, at 4500 to 5000 ft., where it occurs as a shrub 8 ft. high. It is somewhat variable, the corolla differing much in size, and the length and hairiness of the style fluctuates, perhaps due to sexual differences. The calyx lobes are either 5 or 6 on the same plant.
No less than six different names have been applied to this species. Of these we have, with some reluctance, adopted the oldest, B. bubalina, Sims, using the specific name first applied by the younger Linnaeus in 1781 under the genus Lonicera for specimens collected by Sparmann. A better known name is B. capensis.
Description:—A small tree reaching 3·6 to 4·2 m. high. Leaves opposite, petiolate; petioles up to 1·2 cm. long, thick, pubescent; lamina up to 10·5 cm. long and 5·5 cm. broad, broadly ovate, entire, rounded or subcordate at the base, with revolute margins and the veins conspicuous above and very[{104}] prominent beneath, dark green and glabrous above, pubescent on all the veins beneath. Stipules semicircular from a broad base, ending in a linear cusp which almost equals the basal portion in length and is minutely pilose. Inflorescence terminal, many-flowered. Calyx-tube 6 mm. long, campanulate; lobes 5 to 6, 1 to 2 cm. long, linear, pubescent. Corolla-tube 2 cm. long, inflated, puberulous without, glabrous within, with a ring of white hairs near the base; lobes 5 mm. long, triangular. Stamens 5, inserted on the upper half of the corolla-tube; filaments very short; anthers with the connective slightly produced. Ovary inferior, 2-celled, many-ovuled; style filiform, exserted; stigma clavate. Fruit a subglobose berry, crowned with the persistent calyx-lobes.
Plate 145.—Fig. 1, calyx; Fig. 2, corolla laid open; Fig. 3, showing pistil in calyx; Fig. 4, anther; Fig. 5, cross-section of ovary; Fig. 6, stipule.
F.P.S.A., 1924.
