PlagiantJiHs!\ XXi, malVace.e. 191 



the axiis, not spicate. Calyx when in flower not above 1^ line long. Carpel 

 nsually single, enclosed in the calyx and membranous as in F, sidoides, — Ila- 

 lotJiamnits microphjllm, Y. MuclL* PL Vict. i. 159. 



Victoria. Sandy, espcciall}' subsaline inland localities or in tlic so-called salt-bush coun- 

 try, thence extending through many parts of the Murray desert, F, Mueller. 



S.Australia. In the littoral tracts, F, Mueller; bays and islands^ S. coast, 72. 

 Broicn. 



'W 



4, SIDA, Linn. 



Bracteolcs none, or small and distant from the calyx. Calyx 5-toothcd or 

 5-lobcd. Staminal cohimn divided at the top into several filaments. Ovary- 

 cells 5 or more, verticillate, 1-ovuhite. Style-branches as many as cells, fili- 

 form or slightly clavate, with terminal, capitate or tnincate stigmas. Fruit- 

 cai-pels either obtuse or with connivent points, seceding from the axis, inde- 

 hiscent or opening shortly at the top in 2 valves. Seed pendulous or hori- 

 zontal, with a dorsal raphe. — Herbs or shrubs, usually clothed with a soft or 

 whitish stellate tomentum. Stipides in all the Australian species except 5^. 

 Ilookeriaua , subulate and deciduous. Flowers sessile or pedunculate, axillary 

 or in terminal heads, spikes, or racemes, of various colours and sometimes 

 large, but most frequently rather sn:ialb yellow, or whitish. 



The genus, even as now limited to the exchision of the AhutUoyn, is large, and widely 

 spread over the warmer regions of tlie globe, but most abundant in America. Of the 

 Australian species three are common tropical weeds^ the remainder all endemic. 



§ 1. Cahjx v:Uho2it prominent ribs or angles. Carpels strongly reticulate on the sides 

 (except (S*. pleianiha)^ hidehiscent^ or nearly so, never arisiate, Ferennials or shrubs. 

 Leaves undivided 



■Flowers 1 or 2 together, on slender pedicels, articulate near the top. 

 Calyx^obes obtuse, not protruding beyond the broad part of the fruit. 

 Carpels strongly wrinkled on the back. Fruit 'l^ to 4 lines 



diameter . . . . » 1- 'S'. corrugata. 



Carpels not, or very slightly wrinkled. Fruit not exceeding 2 



lines diameter. Leaves and flowers very small . , , . 2. 5. intrlcafa. 

 Calyx-lobes acute or soarcclv acuminate, remaining herbaceous, and 

 not much enlarged after flowering. 

 Leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolate, cordate at the base . . . . 3. iS. macropoda. 

 Leaves lanceolate or obU^ng-lanceolate, not cordate .... 4. 5. virgaia. 

 Calyx-lobes acuminate, with long, subulate, woolly points . , , 5.5'. crypMopeiala, 

 Calyx-lobes enlarged and thinner or siiarious after flowering. 

 Leaves lanceolate or oblong. Carpels G to 8. 



Fruiting calyx about \ in. diameter, slightly spreading; lobes 



narrow, ovate-lanceolate ^- S. petrophila. 



Fruiting calyx f in. diameter, very sj)rcading; lobes broadly 



ovate, scarious •_ • T, S. calgxhymenia. 



leaves cordate-ovate or orbicular. Carpels above 15. Fruiting 



calyx 2 in. diameter • ' ' 8. -S.i^/^y^^r^^y.r. 



rlowers clustered, several together. Pedicels short, not articulate. 

 Flowers nearly sessile. Tomentum dense, or raiely scanty. Carpels 



reticulate on the side ^' ^' subspicaia. 



Flowers pedicellate. Tomentum thin or floccose. Cai-pels not 



reticulate 10. S. pleiantha. 



