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Duvalia (Named after H A Duval of Paris)

(named after H. A. Duval, of Paris, author of " Enumeratio Plantarum Succulentarum in Horto Alenconio "). ORD. Asclepiadeae. A genus of succulent Stapelia-like plants, all natives of South Africa. Corolla with the segments more or less replicate, and an elevated annulus (orb) on the disk; outer corona flat, entire, pentagonal, disk-like; inner corona of five small, entire, horizontal, ovoid, pointed, fleshy segments, somewhat resembling a bird's head when viewed sideways. The species mentioned below are among the most distinct. For culture, see Stapelia.

D. Corderoyi (Corderoy's).* fl. olive-green, with darker tips, or dull reddish-brown, 1 1/2in. to 2in. in diameter; lobes of corolla lanceolate-acuminate, fringed with clavate mauve-purple hairs; annulus clothed with soft hairs of the same colour. Branches sub-globose, crowded, flowering at their sides. (B. M. 6082.) SYN. Stapelia Corderoyi. D. elegans (elegant). fl. dark purple-brown, shining, small; corolla lobes ovate, shortly acuminate, shortly pilose on the surface and ciliate with soft dark purple hairs; annulus only slightly raised, giving the flower a flat look. Branches oblong or ovoid, crowded, flowering at their sides. (B. M. 1148.) 1795.

D. Jacquiniana (Jacquin's). fl. dark purple-brown, opaque, small; corolla lobes lanceolate, acute, strongly replicate, glabrous, but ciliate with simple or slightly clavate hairs. Branches oblong, crowded, flowering at their sides. 1802.

D. polita (polished).* fl. three or four together, opening successively; pedicels about 1in. long, glabrous; corolla 1in. in diameter; lobes ovate-acuminate, erect-spreading, a little recurved at the apex, brownish-purple, very smooth and polished, the margins very slightly folded back and fringed towards their base with long purple vibratile, calvate, purple hairs; annulus minutely scabrid, paler than the lobes, and opaque; outer corona chocolate-red, or dark purplish-red; processes of inner corona dull orange. Summer. Stems and branches elongate, 2in. to 3in. long, about 1/2in. thick, somewhat clavate, more or less decumbent and rooting, glabrous, dull green or purplish, six-angled; angles obtuse, toothed. 1874. One of the finest plants of the genus. (B. M. 6245.)