33 



PIMELEA spectabilis. 

 Showy Pimelea. 



DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 

 Nat. ord. Thymelace^e. 

 PIMELEA. Botanical Register, vol. \5.fol. 1268. 



P. spectabilis; foliis oppositis Kneari-oblcmgis acutis sessilibus glaucis ra- 

 misque glaberrimis, capitulis sphsericis sessilibus multilloris, calycis 

 limbo sericeo tubo villosissimo, involucri foliolis ovatis acuminatis colo- 

 ratis. Lindl. Append. Bot. Reg. t. xli. 



Frutex humilis, Icevis, glaucescens. Folia alterna et opposita, subdecus- 

 sata, oblongo-linearia, acuta, ascendentia ; suprema paulb latiora, demum in 

 foliolis involucri mutata. Hee sex circiter, forma ovatd acuminata, apice re- 

 curva, margine sanguineo colorata, fores in cyathi formam ambeunt. Flores 

 carnei, demum pallidi, \numerosissimi, quoad tubum pilis longissimis scabridis 

 vestiti, in limbum sericd tantum tecti, capitidum sphcei'icum pugni infantis 

 magnitudine efficiunt. 



This is one of the best Swan River shrubs yet intro- 

 duced. It is in the way of P. hispida, but is much hand- 

 somer, has heads of flowers twice as large at least, and is 

 readily known when out of flower, by the smooth rather 

 glaucous leaves, so arranged as to form four rows along the 

 stem. 



When the flowers first expand, they are like the accom- 

 panying figure, but as the rest unfold the whole flower-head 

 increases considerably in size, and the slender branches bend 

 beneath its weight. At the Swan River it appears that the 

 bracts acquire a much brighter colour than with us, and thus 

 give the plant a still gayer appearance. 



Among other good qualities the species of Pimelea possess 

 that of living for a long time when cut and placed in water, 

 and so become useful ornaments of bouquets. 



* See Botanical Register, fol. 1268. 



