Leucospermum, R. Br.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. p. 170.
Leucospermum tottum, R. Br., var. glabrum, Phillips, var. nov. a typo ramis glabris, bracteis eciliatis differt.
This interesting Leucospermum was collected by Mr. T. P. Stokoe in Jan du Toit’s Kloof near Chavonnesberg, in the Western Province. Mr. Stokoe states that only a few plants were observed growing in a belt of Proteaceae. It is evidently very closely related to L. tottum, from which it differs in having glabrous branches and non-ciliate involucral bracts, and should be regarded as a glabrous variety of this species. The genus Leucospermum is closely related to Protea (see plate 22) but differs from that genus in having the limb of the posticous segment divided and not completely fused. The well-known “Kreupelboom” (L. concospermum) belongs to this genus.
The variety here figured might be regarded as one of the more striking plants in the genus Leucospermum. The yellow styles with red stigmas projecting from an involucre tinged with delicate shades of red and green give a particularly pleasing effect.
Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1493).
Description:—A spreading bush 5-6 ft. high. Branches glabrous. Leaves 8-8·5 cm. long, O·9-1 cm. broad, broadly linear, 3-toothed at the apex, slightly narrowed at the base with the midrib distinct beneath, veins faint above. Heads solitary or 2-nate, 7-8 cm. long including the peduncle and styles, about 5·5 cm. in diameter. Peduncle 2 cm. long, loosely covered with ovate subacuminate obtuse glabrous bracts 8 mm. long and about 8 mm. broad. Receptacle 2·2 cm. long, 7 mm. broad, cylindric, densely villous on the back with long white hairs. Perianth-tube 1 cm. long, glabrous; segments 2·5 cm. long, linear, villous and long ciliate; lobes 3 mm. long, oblong, subacuminate, ciliate and bearded. Ovary 1 mm. long, villous; style 4·5 cm. long, terete, glabrous; stigma ovoid, subacuminate, obtuse.
Plate 74.—Fig. 1, a single flower; Fig. 2, flower bud; Fig. 3, limb of posticous segment; Fig. 4, one lobe of limb showing stamen; Fig. 5, floral bracts; Fig. 6, longitudinal section of receptacle; Fig. 7, involucral bract; Fig. 8, stigma, side view; Fig. 9, stigma, front view.