16 Forage Plants of Australia. 



ORDER MELIACE.E. 



FLINDERSIA MACULOSA, F.v.M. 



" Leopard, or Spotted Tree." 



Flora Austr., Vol. I, p. 389. 



AN ornamental tree which is of somewhat pendulous habit, and grows to a 

 height of from 30 to 45 feet. Its trunk is remarkably spotted by the falling 

 off of the outer bark in patches. Hence the Australian name Leopard or 

 spotted tree. From its trunk and branches exude large quantities of an 

 amber-colored gum of a pleasant flavor ; but, as far as we are aware, it has 

 never been put to any economic use. The leaves of this tree are very 

 variable. The western ones are mostly simple, linear oblong, or lanceo- 

 late, and about 2in. long. The northern ones are mostly pinnate, with 

 from three to five leaflets. The panicles are terminal, and from one to three 

 inches long. The flowers are small. This tree is peculiar to the western 

 plains between the Lachlan and Darling Eivers in New South Wales, on the 

 Burdekin, Burnett, and Baloone Kivers, and at PortBowen and Broadsound 

 in Queensland, and at one time was moderately plentiful ; but it is becom- 

 ing scarce in some localities ; for during very dry times, when feed is scarce, 

 it is much cut down for stock. Sheep are very fond of it, eating both leaves 

 and young twigs. At the sound of the axe sheep may be seen scampering 

 toward the felled tree ; and it takes very little time before it is denuded of 

 its leaves and small shoots. It is a tree well worthy of extensive conserva- 

 tion, and even cultivation. Besides providing excellent forage during dry 

 seasons, it yields a serviceable timber of a bright yellow color, is nicely 

 marked, close in the grain, and is exceedingly elastic and tough. It is use'd 

 for a variety of purposes, such as making buggy and cart shafts, staves for 

 casks, and tool handles. It would also make beautiful furniture, and might 

 be used for any inside carpentry work. Its toughness might also be 

 recommended to machinists where elasticity combined with toughness is 

 required. At Figure I is illustrated the capsule, which is about l^in. long, 

 oblong and muricate (covered with short hard protuberances), opening in 

 five boat-shaped valves, without any persistent axis ; seeds winged at both 

 ends and along the back. Even when left unmolested, this tree never pro- 

 duces a great amount of seed ; but the seeds will germinate readily under 

 ordinary conditions. They should be sown after rains in the early autumn 

 months, and where the trees are intended to be grown, for the young plants 

 are very impatient of being removed. There are about five species of the 

 genus Flindersia indigenous in Australia ; and, with the exception of the one 

 under notice, they belong to the eastern portions of the continent. All of 

 them yield excellent timber (varying in color from light to deep yellow), 

 which is held in high repute among both timber-getters and carpenters. 

 Some fine Flindersia trees may be seen growing in the parks and gardens of 

 Sydney, where their beautiful umbrageous heads afford shelter from the 

 glaring sun. The genus Flindersia was named by Robert Brown in honor 

 of Captain A. Flinders, whose name is associated with the hydrography of 

 Australasia, 



