NOTES 491 
PODRANEA. 
P. Ricasoliana is one of our most vigorous climbers, and 
during its flowering time a great ornament to the garden. It 
is a native of Pondoland, where it grows in the thickets at the 
mouth of the Umzimwubu (St. John’s) River. Nothing positive 
is known about its introduction, but it is probably due to Prof. 
MacOwan. 
The genus differs from Pandorea by its elongate-linear capsule, 
with thin flexible, coriaceous entire valves—Pandorea has short 
and oblong fruits and woody valves—as well as by the large in- 
flated calyx and oblong ovary. 
POLYGALA. 
P. apopetala is a very pretty shrub, 1:50-2:00 m. high, with 
thin and slender branches terminating in elegant racemes. It was 
raised from seeds collected by Mr. C. A. Purpus in Lower Cali- 
fornia, and is figured in Bot. Mag. t. 8065 from specimens sent 
from La Mortola. In its native home it is stated to be only 2-3 
feet high. 
P. myrtvfolia forms shrubs, or even small trees, at La Mortola. 
It establishes itself on the driest and most arid places of the 
garden, and is of great beauty when in flower. It varies some- 
what in habit, shape of the leaves, and the colours of the flowers. 
Seeds were first sent to La Mortola by Mr. Daniel Hanbury, in 
March, 1872. PP. oppositifolia is very similar, but never so 
vigorous. Of P. virgata seeds were sent by Prof. MacOwan, in 
June, 1872. 
PORLIERIA. 
P. hygrometrica was procured from Hyéres in December, 1867. 
It is now a small shrub, about 1 m. high and 14 m. in diameter. 
The leaves, which resemble those of some Mimosas, open and 
close periodically. 
PORTULACARIA. 
P. afra was first received from M. Thuret, Antibes, in 
November, 1869. It has been reintroduced, but, although quite 
vigorous, has never shown any sign of flower. 
POTERIUM. 
P. spinosum was given to Mr. Daniel Hanbury by M. Thuret, 
Antibes, in October, 1871. 
POUTERIA. 
Of P. swavis we received several young plants from Signor 
Giovanni Lanteri, formerly of Villa Garnier, Bordighera, who first 
had the plant in EHurope, and later on from Kew Gardens. 
The plant is said to attain the size of a tree, with the 
appearance of a laurel. The apple-shaped fruit is the size of an 
apricot, yellow and scarlet when mature, and possesses a delicate 
perfume. for further particulars see the description by Mr, 
W. B. Hemsley, in Kew Bull. l. ¢. 
