Tas. 6513. 
CITRUS trrronrata. 
Native of Japan. 
Nat. Ord. Ruracem.—Tribe AURANTIER. 
Genus Cirrus, Louriero; (Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Pl. vol: i. p. 305 et 999:) 
Cirrus ¢rifoliata; glaberrima, spinosa, foliolis ellipticis subacutis v. obtusis 
crenulatis, floribus subsessilibus solitariis 4-5-meris, sepalis oblongo-ovatis 
concavis, petalis multo longioribus obovatis concavis, filamentis subsequalibus 
basi dilatatis, disco annulari. 
C. trifoliata, Linn. Sp. Pl. 1101; Franch. et Sav. Pl. Jap. vol: i. p. 74. 
C. trifolia, Thunb. Fl. Jap. p. 294. 
Mele sepiaria, DC. Prodr. vol. i. p. 538. 
Pseudzegle sepiaria, Mig. in Ann. Mus. Lugd. Bat. vol. ii: p. 83; Kempf. Amen. 
p- 801, t. 802. 
This singular and free-flowering shrub is much less 
known than it deserves to be, it being, in fact, almost un- 
known in English gardens, though perfectly hardy, free- 
flowering, and sweet-scented. It has stood unprotected in 
the open border of the Arboretum of Kew for several years, 
and hitherto has been quite uninjured, even the tender 
young shoots resisting the early frosts and long-protracted 
cold of the last two inclement seasons; a fact the more 
singular when it is considered that the whole plant is ever- 
green in respect of leaves, branches, and spines, though the 
leaves are deciduous. : 
Q. trifoliata is a native of Japan, where it is much culti- 
vated both as a garden plant and for fences; its fruit, 
which resembles a small orange, is described as very bitter, 
and having laxative properties. As an early-flowering and 
sweet-scented hardy shrub, this Citrus 1s likely to prove a 
favourite, and should it be eventually unable to withstand a 
winter of unusual severity in the open border, it may still be 
safe on a wall with or without protection. The flowers 
SEPTEMBER Ist, 1880. 
