In general appearance and habit of growth this _Aloe_ closely resembles _A. Pienaarii_ from the same locality, figured in vol. i. of this work (Plate 27), but it is more commonly found on gentle slopes in bush country, although it may frequently occur in open ground along with _A. Pienaarii_. When the plants are not in flower, those of _A. Wickensii_ can be distinguished from _A. Pienaarii_ by their paler green leaves, which are distinctly incurved.
We propose the name “Wickens’ Aloe” for this species.
Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1449).
DESCRIPTION:--A stemless succulent herb. _Leaves_ pale glaucous-green, 40-50 in a dense rosette, 50-70 cm. long, 10-13 cm. broad at the base, lanceolate-ensiform, erect, distinctly incurved, rather flat above, convex beneath, beset on the margins with small deltoid black prickles about 2 mm. long and about 6-8 mm. apart. _Inflorescences_ often 2-4 from the same rosette, spreading. _Peduncle_ laterally compressed, naked, with usually two lateral branches, branches arcuateerect, clothed with pale brown scariose broadly ovate-acuminate bracts. _Raceme_ dense-flowered, 17-20 cm. long, conical-cylindric. _Bracts_ reflexed, 5-6 mm. long, ovate-cuspidate, scariose, pellucid. _Pedicels_ recurved, 3-4 mm. long. _Perianth_ 3·5 cm. long, cylindric-ventricose; outer segments free for 16-17 mm., obtuse and recurved at the apex, 3-5-nerved; inner segments obtuse and recurved, 3-nerved. _Stamens_ projecting 11 mm. beyond the perianth and slightly recurved. _Style_ stout, strongly recurved. _Fruit_ 2·5 cm. long, 1·3 cm. in diameter, oblong-ovoid.
PLATE 41.--Fig. 1, entire plant, much reduced; Fig. 2, raceme; Fig. 3, portion of leaf; Fig. 4, transverse section of leaf; Fig. 5, bract; Fig. 6, open flower; Fig. 7, fruit showing remains of perianth attached.
COMMELINA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 847.
=Commelina benghalensis=, _Linn. Sp. Pl._ 41; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vii. p. 9.
A common species in certain habitats in South Africa, and extending to Tropical Africa, throughout India to Japan, and the Moluccas. On account of its easy cultivation and the exquisite deep shade of blue of the petals, it deserves more recognition from gardeners, and should be at least as great a favourite as species of _Tradescantia_ (The Wandering Jew). The floral structure shows interesting modifications in the stamens, and a study of the method of pollination would certainly bring to light some interesting facts. This plant often produces at the base modified (cleistogamic) flowers which burrow into the ground and produce small capsules.