^S86 AN APOCYNACEOUS PLANT, 



Fruits 5 to 7 inches loug, follicles thin, seeds attenuate into a 

 short beak at the hilum, with a coma over 1 inch long. 



/r«6.— New Angledool, N.S.W. (A. Paddison). 



I have failed to obtain specimens of the original F. lanceolata, 

 R.Br., for comparison, so have drawn the distinctions from 

 Bentham's description (B. Fl. Vol. iv. p. 318). 



If it were not for the imbrication of the petals and the leaves 

 it could be placed as a variety of Lyonsia eticalyptifolia, F.v.M., 

 as it certainly has many features common with that species, 

 particularly the appearance of the inflorescence and the anthers. 



It differs from P. lanceolata, R.Br., in its axillary cymes, shape 

 of leaves, and calyx-lobes being equal. 



It is very probable that two species are included under that 

 species as described in B. Fl. iv. p. 318. 



My attention was first drawn to this plant by Mr. A. Paddison, 

 of New Angledool, who sent for identification a large tuber or 

 "yam" weighing about lOlbs., stating that similar yams were 

 eaten both by settlers and aborigines. After receiving specimens 

 of leaves, flowers and fruits, it was found that the plant was 

 referable to Parsonsia, and not Lyonsia, as a preliminary exami- 

 nation of the first fragments of leaves and flowers received had 

 led me to suspect, as mentioned by me in the Abstract of Pro- 

 ceedings for June. 



The average height of the plant is about from 10 to 15 feet. 

 This, however, is very diflicult to determine satisfactorily, inasmuch 

 as the height depends upon the height of the tree around which 

 it is climbing. 



Stock are ver}' fond of the leaves, so that this plant should be 

 ranked as a fodder. 



The stem is about one inch in diameter a foot or so above the 

 ground, the bark being of quite a corky nature. 



The presence of tubers in Parsonsia is quite without record 

 as far as I have been able to ascertain. They are common enough 

 in Marsdenia, but it would appear that no one has yet associated 



