A REVISION OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES OF ADENIA.

The genus Adenia was founded by Forskal on a plant collected in Arabia and which he named A. venenata. In the original description, the genus is stated as having 6-merous flowers. Ascherson, (1)* as pointed out by Engler, first drew attention to the fact that Adenia Forsk. (1775) and Modecca Lam. (1797) were synonymous. Engler (5) states that t is absolutely certain th a t Modecca abyssinica Hochst. and Adenia venenata Forsk. are identical although the former is 5-merous, explaining that it is quite possible that Forskal had a specimen with 6-merous flowers in front of him as “ in the related genus Keramanthus, 6and 5-merous flowers occur” . Engler further explains (I.e.) that he attempted to separate the two genera but was unsuccessful. The majority of workers had apparently, as suggested by Ascherson, overlooked or not recognised this fact.