172 



HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



produced singly on the riper parts of the soft wooded branches ; 

 they are chubby forms, all but stalkless, and supported by a 

 brown stem- clasping sheath, which is long-pointed and bent 

 backwards, resembling a spine ; these sheaths are numerous, and 

 probably suggested the specific name, setosus rough or bristly. 

 The flowers appear for many months, and there is a corre- 

 sponding succession of berries ; the latter form the main feature 

 of this singular shrub, measuring ^in. to ^in. in diameter, they 

 are of a clear, shining white colour, and are well named " pearl 



FIG. 62. MARGYRICARPUS SETOSTJS. 

 (One-third natural size j fruit, natural size.) 



fruit." Sooner or later in the season every joint of the main 

 branches seems to be furnished with fruit, which lasts a long 

 time in perfection. The leaves are |in. to lin. long, pinnate, 

 leaflets awl-shaped, reflexed, and of a deep glistening green 

 colour; they are arranged in minute tufts on stoutish branchlets, 

 and, for the most part, have a single berry at the parent node. 

 All these young shoots grow in the upward direction, leaving the 

 procumbent branches to form an even line on the lower side. 

 The habit of this shrub is spreading and prostrate, and, from the 

 bright berries and foliage (the latter all turned upwards), it 

 becomes a most pleasing object to look down upon, reminding 

 one of a dwarf erica immediately after a hailstorm. For rockwork, 



