C 86 3 ] 



Platylobium Microphyllum, Small- 

 Leaved Flat-Pea. 



Clafs and Order. 



DlADELPHIA DECANDRIA. 



Generic Character. — Vid. N um - 469. 



Specific Characler and Synonyms. 



PLATYLOBIUM microphyllum ; foliis alternis obcordatis 

 flore minoribus. 



The fine fpecimen of this beautiful little fhrub, from which 

 our drawing was made, was communicated by the Marquis of 

 Blandford, from his Lordfhip's collection, at White Knights, 

 in Berkfhire. We have feen the fame plant alfo at Mr. Hib- 

 bert's, of Clapham-Common, where it is known by the very 

 appropriate name that we have adopted. 



Not having feen a ripe feed-pod* of this plant, we are uncer- 

 tain if it in every refpeft correfpond with the character of Pla- 

 tylobium, as given by Dr. Smith, but from the form of the 

 calyx, the two upper fegments of which are large and obtufe, 

 and the comprefled germen with a thick back, containing fe- 

 veral ovula, we have little doubt but that it belongs to this 

 genus. The ftamens are in general all connected at the tower 

 part and diftintt above, but we have fometimes found one 

 filament entirely diftinft. The vexillum is not divided into 

 two lobes, as in fome of the fpecies of this genus, but is only 

 flightly emarginate, and is nearly equalled in length by the alae 

 and carina; thefe laft are of a black purple colour. The 

 branches are terminated with a fmall oblique fpine ; leaves 

 truly heart-fhaped, with the broad en.d upwards, marked with 

 veins raifed on both fides and fupported on very minute foot- 

 ftalks, to which they are connected by a joint; at the bafe of 

 the petiole are two fmall erect conical fiipulae. The flowers 

 are fupported on fhort peduncles growing from the axils of the 

 leaves ; folitary, but rather crowded at the extremities of the 

 branches. 



* An unripe pod, kindly fent us by Mr. Hibbert, docs not fhewr any alx, 

 but is confiderably thickened at the upper future. 



There 



