Compilation
Triumfetta eriophlebia

The plant is excessively variable, now apparently an annual, at other times a rigid branching undershrub. Leaves of almost every possible size, form, and quality of pubescence, now glabrous or nearly so, pilose, hispid, tomentose, sometimes covered with cream-coloured tomentum along the nerves of the leaf principally (T. eriophlebia, Hook. f.), at other times densely covered with thick tomentum. Hence it is not to be wondered at that many supposed distinct species and varieties have been described. The extensive series of specimens at Kew, and especially the copious illustrations particularly selected by Dr. Welwitsch to show the amount of variation, amply suffice to show that these so-called species merge one into the other, as even on the same plant characters belonging to two or three of the established varieties may be met with. Dr. Welwitsch's testimony on this point is emphatic. The most constant character, and one that runs through almost all the varieties, resides in the small, globular, whitish-tomentose fruit, which is covered with comparatively stout hooked bristles; the white tomentum, however, is not always to be seen on the mature capsules. One variety is stated to have clove-scented flowers.