238 



XL. LEGUMiNOSiE. [Uram 



m 



cular-reniform to LrOadly cordate-ovate, always veiy obtuse, 1 to 2 in. long, 

 slightly scabrous or loosely pubescent, the lateral ones, when present, smaller. 

 Stipules subulate-acuminate. Eaceines contracted into a very dense oblong 

 obtuse hirsute spike, of 1 to 2 in.', nearly sessile above the last leaves. Eracts 

 broadly ovate, acuminate, usually very deciduous, except sometimes at tlie 

 base of the spike. Pedicels shorter than the calyx. Calyx lower-lobes 

 (turned upwards by the inflexion of the pedicel) subulate-plumose, 2 to 3 

 Imes long, the upper ones much shorter with a broad base. Petals not much 

 longer than the calyx, on slender claw^s. Ovules 2. Pod of 2 ovate, some- 

 what turgid, reticidate articles, each about 1^ lines long, glabrous or rarely 



pubescent. 



M 



Queensland. Broad Somi, JR, Brown; Brisbane river, i?. 3Iueller ; HocUimjiion, 

 J/iozei. Widely dispersed over E. ludia aud the Archipelago. 



m 



47. LOUREA, Neck. 



w 



Calyx broadly canipanulate, enlarged after flowering, the lobes broad and 

 Lial. Standard obovate or obcordate, narrowed into the claw ; wings ad- 



herirg to the obtuse keel. Upper stamen free, the others united ; anthers 

 j-emforra. Ovary with 2 or more ovules j style subulate, with a capitate 

 stigma. Pod stipitate or nearly sessile, contracted between the seeds ; arti- 

 cles ovate, folded back upon each other within the calyx.— Herbs. Leaflets 

 1 or 3 often broader than long, with stipellse ; stlpales free. Flowers in 

 terminal racemes, the pedicels usually in pairs. Bracts very deciduous. 



A genus of 3 or 4 species, natives of tropical Asia, one of wliich extends into Australia. 



1. L. obcordata, Besv.; DC. Prod. ii. 324. Stems slender, prostrate, 

 usually shortly haiiy, 1 to 2 ft. long. Leaflets usually 3, the terminal one 

 ^ broadly obovate orbicular or reniform, i to 1 in. broad, rather rigid and 

 strong y reticulate in the Australian specimens, less so in most Asiatic ones, 

 spnnkled with a few small hairs, the lateral ones smaller, ovate or ohovate, 

 llaccmes slender, either simple and 2 to 6 in. long, or shorter and paniculate. 

 i* lowers small, shortly pedicellate. Calyx at first not above 1 line long and 

 hairy, but after flowering attaining 3 lines and completely enclosing the fruit- 

 1 od usually of 2 articles, each of about li lines long, much reticulate.- 

 L. remformis, DC. Prod. ii. 324. 



A ^•' ■t'^^*5*l**- '^PP«=r Victoria river, J^. Mueller. The species Extends over the Indian 

 Archtpelago to S. Cliina. ^ 



48. ALYSICAEPUS, Neck. 



^ Calyx deeply cleft, the lobes stifle and dry, the two uppermost often united 

 mto one. Standard obovate or orbicular, narrowed into the claw ; ^mgs ad- 

 hering to the obtuse keel. Upper stamen free, the others united ; nuthew 

 renitorm. Ovary sessile or nearly so, with several ovules ; style filiform, w'tj 

 a capitate stigma. Pod erect, straight, nearly terete, or somewhat flattened 

 but thick, narrowed between the seeds or equal ; articles ovate, globular, or 

 truncate at both ends, indehiscent.— Herbs either glabrous or loosely hnirv- 

 Leaves of a single leaflet (or very rarely in species not Australian, S-fohoW, 

 With stipella;. Stipules dry, striate, acuminate, free, or united opposite tue 



