Description:—Plants with a very large tuberous stem, partly above ground, with several semi-succulent branches arising from the upper portion of the tuber. Branches with a waxy covering, glabrous or finely hairy when young. Leaves in fascicles, 1-4 cm. long, 2-6 mm. broad, linear or linear-lanceolate, obtuse, with recurved margins, green and pubescent above, paler and tomentose below. Spines arising in groups of 2-3 from an evident cushion, the two lateral spines longer and spreading, the medium spine shorter and erect, sometimes absent. Flowers terminal. Calyx campanulate; lobes narrowly lanceolate, acute, densely pubescent. Corolla twisted in bud; 1-1·5 cm. long, cylindric, pubescent; lobes 1·5 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, obovate, narrowed into a distinct claw, pale pink with dark-red markings. Fruit 6-8 cm. long, spindle-shaped, pubenulous.
Plate 21.—Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, calyx; Fig. 3, stamen; Fig. 4, style and stigma.
F.P.S.A., 1921.
22.
K. A. Lansdell del.