Forage Plants of Australia. 



ORDER CRUCIFERJG. 



BLENNODIA LASIOCABPA, F. v. M. 

 " Hairy Podded Cress." 



Flora Austr., Vol. I, p. 70. 



AN annual plant attaining a height of from 1 foot to \\ feet, and covered all 

 over with a stellate pubescence. The radical leaves are arranged on long 

 stalks, and are lyrate-pinnatifid, and often 3 inches in length. The stem 

 leaves get gradually smaller and less pinnatifid upwards to the flowering 

 raceme. The flowers are mostly pink or white. The seed pods are very 

 hairy and about half an iuch long, curved and tapering at the top, as shown 

 in the engraving. The seeds are ovate. This plant is peculiar to the 

 Darling Kiver, the sandy plains near the Murray Eiver, Cooper's Creek, and 

 generally over the arid central plains of this continent. This species, like 

 most of its congeners, has anti-scorbutic properties, and has more or less of a 

 pungent taste, which gives it a particular relish when partaken of with other 

 herbage. Herbivora of all descriptions eat this plant with avidity. 

 Though it is only an annual plant, it makes its growth during the hottest 

 part of the year, and this growth being of a succulent nature is a valuable 

 addition to other pasture plants on our central plains. When not too 

 closely fed down, this plant will produce an abundance of seed which 

 germinates freely after rainfall in the spring months. 



