Tas. 7057. 
LAPORTEA MOROIDES. 
Native of Queensland. 
Nat. Ord. Urnticacra:.—Tribe URTICE. 
Genus Laportra, Gaud.; (Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. P/. vol. iii. p. 383. 
LarortEa (Sarcopus) moroides; frutex setulis acerrime urentibus pilosa, 
ramis crassis, foliis late ovato-cordatis subpeltatis acuminatis dentato- 
serratis pubescentibus villosisve, paniculis axillaribus binis foliis sub- 
zequilongis, floribus monoicis masculis minutis fasciculatis breviter 
pedicellatis 2-bracteolatis, perianthio 4-fido, femineis in capitula globosa 
congestis, perianthii sepalis extimis minimis, intimis multo majoribus 
cucullatis demum carnoso-incrassatis et purpureis stigmate longiusculo, 
achenio compresso oblique ovoideo, endocarpio leviter tuberculato. 
L. moroides, Wedd. Monogr. Urtic. p. 142; and in DC. Prodr. vol. vii. pt. i. 
p- 88; Benth. Fl. Austral. vol. vi. p. 192. 
Urtica moroides, Herb. A. Cunningham. — 
This is one of two or more virulently stinging nettles 
that infest the humid forests of Eastern tropical and sub- 
tropical Australia, and of which equally virulent species 
inhabit tropical Asia. It was discovered in Queensland 
by A. Cunningham, and has been since found by various 
collectors between Lat. 18° and 20° N. It is remarkable 
for the fine vinous colour of the fruiting female perianth, 
the two inner sepals of which gradually becoming fleshy 
form when ripe a globose appendage to the achene, like 
that of the mulberry, which they further resemble by 
being collected into heads. Bailey and Gordon figure 
this plant in their interesting little work, “Plants re- 
puted injurious to Stock” (Brisbane, 1887), give a rude 
figure of it, and say that its native name is Gyrupia, 
and that the virulent effects of its stinging hairs have 
in North Queensland frequently caused the death of 
horses. The plant is described as a shrub or small tree in 
its native country, but the Kew plant formed a simple — 
erect stout stem two feet high, with a short crown of leaves 
at the top, and numerous panicles of flowers from the axils 
May Isr, 1889, ; 
