Liliaceae. Tribe Scilleae.
Ornithogalum, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 815.
Ornithogalum Thunbergianum, Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc. vol. xiii. p. 269; Fl. Cap. vol. vi. p. 497.
Ornithogalum Thunbergianum, the “Yellow Chinkerichee,” is found in the Malmesbury, Paarl, and Van Rhynsdorp Districts of Cape Province. It was found by Carl Thunberg at Saldana Bay about the year 1772, and named by him O. maculatum, but as this specific name had already been given to a plant figured by Jacquin, the late Mr. Baker redescribed the species here dealt with and named it after Thunberg, although there is some doubt as to whether the plant figured by Jacquin is specifically distinct from O. Thunbergianum.
The perianth is a beautiful “flame scarlet” colour with a black mark at the tip of the three outer segments. The species should be grown by all lovers of our native flora, and would well repay cultivation.
We are indebted to Mrs. E. Rood, Van Rhynsdorp, for specimens which enabled us to prepare the present plate. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1469).
Description:—Bulb 2-3 cm. long, 2-3 cm. in diameter, ovoid or compressed-globose, covered with thin membranous tunics. Leaves withering at time of flowering, 5-10 cm. long, 1 cm. broad below, ovate-linear, tapering to an acute apex, glabrous, glaucous-green. Peduncle 12-38 cm. long, terete, rigid, glabrous. Inflorescence 2-6-flowered. Bracts membranous, 2·3-2·5 cm. long, linear-oblong, acuminate, more or less clasping and equalling the pedicel. Pedicels 1·7 cm. long, terete, the lower somewhat arcuate. Perianth segments 2-2·3 long, ·8-1 cm. broad; the outer obovate-oblanceolate, subacute, with a black mark at the apex; the inner ovate-lanceolate. Filaments 7 mm. long, cylindric, slightly narrowing above; anthers 3 mm. long. Ovary 8 mm. long, 5 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid; style 2 mm. long; stigma trigonous.