Brachystelma
(from brachys, short, and stelma, a crown; in reference to the short coronal processes of the flowers). ORD. Asclepiadeae. Extremely curious little suffruticose, tuberous, twining, greenhouse perennials. Corolla campanulate, having angular sinuses; corona simple, five-cleft, lobes opposite the anthers, simple on the back. Leaves opposite, membranous. They thrive best in fibry loam. Propagated by cuttings, which will root in sandy soil, in heat; also by divisions of the root.
B. Arnotti (Arnott's). fl. brown, green. l. in opposite pairs, nearly sessile, crisped, ovate, dull green above, densely grey, pubescent beneath. h. 4in. South Africa, 1868. (Ref. B. i., 9.) B. Barberae (Mrs. Barber's). fl. dingy purple, speckled with yellow. August. l. large, linear-oblong, acute. h. 6in. South Africa, 1866. (B. M. 5607.) B. ovata (ovate-leaved). fl. yellowish-green. l. ovate, shortly-stalked, pubescent. h. 1ft. South Africa, 1872. (Ref. B. 226.) B. spathulatum (spathulate-leaved). fl. green. June. l. spathulate, oblong, hairy. h. 1ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1826. (B. R. 1113.) B. tuberosum (tuberous). fl. purple. June. l. linear-lanceolate, ciliate. h. 1 1/2ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1821. (B. M. 2343.)