116 DWABF AND SLOW-GROWING CONIFERS 



The other form found in cultivation as var. mucronata 

 is described under var. pseudo- Maxwelli (q.v.). 



P. excelsa, var. decumbens. 



Syn. : var. dumosa, Hort (not Kew or Carr.). 



Buds. — Narrowly conical, about y^ inch; red-brown. 



Branches. — Point upwards and then arch; with their 

 points splayed out. In effect a branch and its branchlets 

 looks not unlike a rhubarb leaf with its base and edges 

 almost touching the ground. 



Branchlets. — Stiff; light orange; decurving; annual 

 growth IJ to 2 inches. 



Leaves. — Arranged pectinately; very crowded above; 

 those below point out and forward at angle of 45 degrees; 

 those above, slightly up and directly forward; flat, stiff, 

 linear; from J to J inch; very dark green; abrupt apex. 



This is a form closely akin to vars. mucronata and 

 fyramidalis gracilis (q.v.), differing chiefly in habit. 



P. excelsa, var. microsperma, Masters (Kew Hand-list, 

 " Conif.," 67, 1896, name only). 



Buds. — Conical; J to tV inch; acute; bright red-brown; 

 bud scales rather loose. 



Branches. — Stiff and ascending. 



Branchlets. — Annual growth 1 to 2 inches; grey-brown; 

 stiff; pulvini slightly darker. 



Leaves. — Arranged pectinately or semi- radially, close- 

 set and all pointing forward; those below at angle of about 

 45 degrees, those above nearly directly forward; about 

 J inch long; thick, stiff and rather flat; sUghtly incurved, 

 widest at middle, and tapering to blunt cartilaginous 

 point; light bright green. 



A dense, compact round or conical bush; branches and 

 branchlets very crowded and ascending; a distinct form 

 of uncertain origin and fairly vigorous growth. 



I can find no authority for this name, although there are 

 many forms in commerce under it ; the most usual form is 

 a broad pyramidal bush very similar to var. pyramidalis 



