Gibbaeum gibbosum (Haw.) N.E.Br.

Plant growing in masses, with longer prostrate main branches and upright secondary ones with the growths often in pairs, ’ according to Dr. J. Muir. Branches in one specimen seen naked at a short distance below the growths, and 2.5-3.5 lines in diameter, forking and becoming more or less flattened, and in the specimen seen 2.5 inches long, forking three times in that length. Growths 0.75-1.25 inch long, 8-11 lines broad and 5-9 lines thick, obliquely ovoid, slightly compressed, very unequally two-lobed at the top, the longer lobe 2-4 lines long above the 3-4 line deep fissure between them, both lobes more or less compressed, obtusely rounded at the apex in side view and distinctly keeled over their tops; surface smooth, glabrous, slightly shining, pale green or greenish-yellow (according to Dr. Muir the 'natural colour is of a pale, somewhat sickly greenish-yellow'), having a rather unhealthy appearance. Pedicel slightly exserted from the fissure, glabrous. Flowers only seen in a withered condition. Calyx 6-lobed down to its union with the ovary; lobes subequal, 2.0-2.5 lines long and 1.5 line broad, oblong-ovate, obtuse, the inner with membranous margins. Petals numerous, in about 2 series, 6-8 lines long, 0.5 line broad, cuneately linear, obtuse, rose or rosy-purple apparently to the base. Stamens numerous, erect, about 2 lines long, white, surrounded by some linear-filiform white staminodes. Stigmas 6, about 1.5 line long, radiating on the top of the ovary, very stout or probably plumose, acute; no style, Ovary inferior, flattish on the top, compressed and two-edged, 6-celled, with the placentas on the outer wall of the cells. Capsule (closed) about 3.5 lines in diameter, with 6 ridges on the slightly convex top, 6-valved and 6-celled; valves pallid, with their dark brown expanding keels diverging from the base, slightly incurved at the tips, with broad, membranous, rounded, obtuse marginal wings; cells roofed with membranous cell-wings, and the opening marked with a pallid spot, but without a tubercle. Seeds minute, about 0.25 line long, ovoid, pallid with a brown nipple.