258 LXA^ii. EPACRIDE.^. [Rtchea. 



or along the branches, very concave above the sheatliing bases, AA'hich fall off 

 with tlie leaf, leaving annular scars on the denuded stem and branches. 

 Plowers in dense terminal simple heads, or in compound spike-like or brauchcd 

 panicles. Filaments usually persistent long after the flowering is over. 



The genus is limited to Australia and, witli one exception, to Tasmania. "With the habit 

 of BracopJiT/Uumy it differs ia the calyptriform eorollaj falling off without espauding the 

 lobes. I have followed F. Mueller in reducing the two genera proposed by Browu to sec 

 tions, for, of the two characters relied upon by Brown, that derived from inflorescence is the 

 same as that which separates the two sections of Dracophyllum^ and the one derived from 

 the hypogynous scales is invalidated by the subsequent discovery of PUitis, which has the 

 inflorescence of Cystaathe^ with tlie hypogynous scales of Richea. 



Sect. I. Cystanthe. — Spikes simple^ contracted into short heads^ sessile above the 

 last leaves. Bracts persistent^ with 1 flower in each axi!^ sessile between two or more 

 keeled bracts or bracteoles. 



No hypogynous scales. Leaves broad, very spreading or squarrose. 

 Leaves shortly acuminate. Filaments filiform, smooth. Anthers 



entire \. R. sprengelioides. 



Leaves with long points. Filaments thickened and papillose up- 

 wards. Antliers deeply 2-lobcd 2. -ff. procera, 



Hypogynous scales conspicuous. Leaves narrow, erect or spread- 

 ing, but not recurved {Pilitis), 

 . Leaves under ^ in. long, subulate-acuminate. Stamens scarcely 



exceeding the calyx 3. jR. acerosa. 



Leaves above 1 iu. long, linear-lanceolate. Stamens 2 or 3 ... 



times as long as the calyx 4. -S. MiUigi^i^^- 



Sect. II. Dracopliylloides.— 6^e/&^ or panicle compound, elongated. Brads an 

 Lracteoles very deciduous. 



Panicle narrow and spike-like. Leaves under 2 in. long. 



Panicle or spike pedunculate, interrupted. Corolla 2 lines long. 



Stamens scarcely exceeding the calyx. Leaves very spreading 5. R. Guniiiu 



Panicle or spike nearly sessile, dense. Corolla d Hues long. 

 Stamens 2 or 3 times as long as the calyx. Leaves mostly 

 erect, imbricate Q, R, scopana. 



Panicle branched, oblong or pvramidal. Leaves above 6 in. long. ., 



Corolla 4 to 5 lines loni<. Leaves 6 in. to 1 ft 7- ^- dracophifUa. 



Corolla under 2 lines long. Leaves 3 to 5 ft 8. R. pandanifolia. 



Sect. 1. Cystanthe. — Spikes simple, contracted into short lieatis sessi^ 

 Dve the last leaves. Bracts persistent, with 1 flower in each axil, sessi 



« 4 



r 



63. A bushy shrub: 



above the last leaves. 



between t^vo or more keeled bracts or bracteoles. 



1. R. sprengelioides^ F. MuelL ^,. . .« --- - ^^ 



usually low, but attaining sometimes several feet, usually glabrous, ■p'^j^^ 

 broadly ovate-lanceolate, tapcrinf^ into a short rigid point, straight or ^^^S ^ - 

 inidulate or twisted, i to f in. long, the floral ones gradually f^^}^^'^ 

 Flowers in ternunal, globular, leafy heads, each one nearly sessile witnin 

 floral leaf, between 2 to 6 distichous, complicate, keeled bracts or bnicteoie^. 

 Sepals lanceolate, acute, concave, 2 to 2\ lines long. Corollanmch lon-,^^^ 

 than the calyx, the deciduous calyptra narrow-conical, the persistent annn ^ 

 base about "half as long as the calyx. Filaments filiform, S^'^^^'^.^^\"^^^o^ 

 longer than the calyx; anthers linear, attached rather above the ^ 'n ^^ 

 lobed, opening from end to end in 2 valves. No hypogynous scales.— ^ 



