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.