210 



NOTES ON JUNCUS HOLOSCFL^NU% R.Br., AND J. 

 PBISMATOCARPUS, R.Br.; AND ON CERTAIN 

 OTHER NEW SOUTH WALES PLANTS. 



By Edwin Ciieel. 



In his ' Prodromus ' (p. 259) R. Brown described two species 

 of Juncus under the names of J. holoschcenus and J. prismato- 

 carpus, which he distinguished chiefly by the following characters : 



J. holoschcenus. J. pvUimatocarpus. 

 Stems terete, leaves nearly iS^e^^is compressed, Zea-uesalter- 

 terete, both articulate. Panicle nate, upright [verticalibus]. 

 terminal, with one leafy bract Panicle terminal, spreading, 

 at its base articulated like the Flowers numerous, in globular 

 leaves. Flowers numerous, in clusters; perianth-segments sub- 

 globular clusters; perianth-seg- ulate. Stamens 3. Capsules 

 ments acute. Stamens 6. Cap- prismatic, longer than the peri- 

 sules prismatic, as long as the anth-segments. Seeds oh^cuvelj 

 perianth-segments. Seeds striate, 

 striate. 



Robert Brown had seen both species under natural conditions. 

 From the study of herbarium material Bentham came to the con- 

 clusion that R. Brown's distinctions could not be upheld (B.Fl. 

 vii., 131); he therefore united the species and adopted the name 

 J. prismatocarpus. It appears to me, however, that these plants 

 are quite distinct; for they may readily be distinguished in the 

 field by their different habit, as well as by some very important 

 structural differences. 



J. holoschtfinus is a more dwarf plant than J. prismatocarpus, 

 producing erect, nearly terete stems from a creeping perennial 

 rhizome. The leaves are slender and semiterete, of a dark green 

 colour and quite hollow inside except for transverse partitions of 



