Gai'dneriancB. N. O, Compositoe. 



TABS. CCXLI. CCXLII. 



Baccharis platypoda. 



Fruticosa glabra resinoso-viscosa (?), ramis striato-angulatis, 

 floridis ancipiti-compressis, foliis petiolatis obovato-cuneatis 

 obtusis grosse dentatis coriaceis uninerviis venis hinc inde 

 innumeris pennatis subreticulatis, capitulis ad apices ramorum 

 florid, dense aggregato-coryrabosis, involiicri squamis ovato- 



oblongis obtusis. DC. 

 Hab. Brazil. Marianna, in Minas Geraes. Vauthier. Sphag- 



jium-bog on the Organ Mountains, about 5500 feet above the 



level of the sea. Mr Gardner (2d Coll. n. 515). 



A glabrous, dioecious shrub, from 4-6 feet high: the stem 

 clothed with pale brown bark: the branches acutely angular, 

 those bearing the flowers compressed and almost ancipitate. 

 Leaves confined to the ends of the branches, from 2-4 inches 

 long, shortly petioled, obovato-cuneate, coriaceous, very coarsely 

 and obtusely serrated, mostly in the upper half, with very copious 

 oblique reticulated nerves; there is also a distinct nerve running 

 round the leaf, just within the margin. The leaves of the male 

 plant are smaller and less obovate (more ovate). Heads of 

 flowers collected into dense corymbs; more compound, and with 

 longer branches in the male plant. Involucre ovate; its scales 

 closely imbricated, oval-oblong, vei'y obtuse, resinous. Male 

 plant: florets with a very distinct corolla, protruded stamens, 

 and a short, wavy, pale red-brown pappus. — Female : florets 

 with a narrow, indistinct corolla, a protruded style, a striated 

 fruit, and a spreading red-brown pappus. 



This is perhaps one of the most distinct and well-marked 

 species of this extensive Genus. The leaves of the female plant 

 are often four inches long. 



■ 



Fig, 1. Flower. / 2. Stamens, f. 3. Single stamen separated 

 from the rest, f* 4. Pistil. /. 5. Transverse section of the 

 young fruit ; — magnified. 



