Forage Plants of Australia. 15 



ORDER RUTACE.E. 



GEIJERA PARVIFLORA, LINDL. 



" Sheep Bush," "Wilga," "Willow." 



Flora Austr., Vol. 7,^.364. 



A TALL shrub or small tree, sometimes attaining a height of 30 feet, with 

 slender erect or pendulous branches, glabrous, or the inflorescence and young 

 parts slightly hoary. Leaves linear acute or obtuse, 3 to 6 inches long, and 

 rarely more than i of an inch broad, with the mid-rib prominent under- 

 neath. The foliage is marked with glandular dots, which, on being bruised, 

 emit a strong scent. This shows the presence of an essential oil in these glands. 

 Panicles rather loose, and broadly pyramidal, but much shorter than the last 

 leaves, alternately branched, with numerous small white flowers. At figure 

 1 is illustrated the fruit which is composed of four distinct obovoid, two- 

 valved cocci, about i of an inch long. At figure 2 is illustrated the seed 

 which is black and shining on the outside. This tree is found principally in 

 the arid interior of all the Australian Colonies, and in some situations it is 

 fairly plentiful, although it has been much cut down for stock when other 

 feed*has been scarce on the plains during drought time. All kinds of stock 

 will browse upon its leaves, but sheep are particularly fond of it. Its 

 drought enduring qualities are something remarkable, and it will continue to 

 grow under the most adverse circumstances of drought and great heat. It 

 has been said that the tree cannot be killed by ringing, but this I have some 

 doubts about. This tree is worthy of extensive conservation or even cultiva- 

 tion, on our arid plains, either to be kept in reserve to supply forage for stock 

 during very dry times, or planting for ornamental purposes. 'It is one of the 

 most graceful of trees, and might -be introduced into gardens with good 

 effect. The tree from which the drawing was made we have had under 

 cultivation for seven (7) years, and it is now fifteen feet high, and a most 

 graceful looking tree. It produces plenty of seed, which, when ripe, 

 germinates very easily. This tree must be grown on dry soil, otherwise it 

 will not flourish. Its timber rarely ever exceeds one foot in diameter, is 

 light-coloured, hard, close grained, and has an agreeable perfume on being 

 newly cut. It sometimes is subject to gum-veins, and it is liable to split in 

 seasoning. It is used for the naves of wheels, blocks, &c. The genus 

 G-eijera is limited to Australia, and as far as is at present known there are 

 only three species known; two of them are found in the north eastern parts 

 of Australia. 



