28 Forage Plants of Australia. 



OEDEE LEGUMHS T OS,E. 



CASSIA AETEMISIOIDES, GAUD. 

 "Purity." 



Flora Austr., Vol. II, p. 288. 



A iiosT elegant bushy shrub, hoary or white, with a minute silky tomeiiturn. 

 The leaves are composed of from three to six pairs of linear leaflets, each of 

 them rarely exceeding 1 inch in length. The flowers are arranged in short, dense 

 racemes, on stalks much shorter than the leaves, as shown in the engraving. 

 At figure 1 is illustrated a seed pod. In a natural state it is usually from 

 2 to Jj inches long, and about -3- inch wide. This shrub is found in the interior 

 of Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales ; and in some situa- 

 tions in the latter colony is fairly plentiful. It is not particular as to soil or 

 situation, for it may be seen growing on both rich alluvial bottoms, and in 

 rocky hilly country in the interior. The drought-enduring qualities of this 

 plant are something remarkable ; it seems to be neither affected by the severe 

 heat of summer nor the hot winds that periodically blow over the interior. 

 Generally speaking, tbe drier the weather the more hoary or silvery this 

 elegant plant becomes, so that often it is quite a feature in the landscape. 

 It is a good forage plant for stock, sheep being particularly fond of browsing 

 upon the young shoots and seed-pods, which it bears profusely during a 

 greater portion of the summer months. When the plant is not too closely 

 fed down it matures a great amount of seed which, however, are excessively 

 hard when old, and before sowing they should be steeped in water for a few 

 days, or it will be a long time before germination takes place. This beautiful 

 shrub is well worthy the attention of horticulturists. I have had it under 

 cultivation for some years, and it is a beautiful object when in flower, and 

 always much admired. It should always be grown in dry soils. 



If the plants are raised for growing in gardens, the seeds should be sown 

 singly in pots, and, when the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant 

 them to their permanent quarters. If they are raised on runs, the seeds 

 should be sown in places where it is intended the shrubs are to grow, 

 for they are very impatient of being transplanted. Early autumn or spring 

 months are the best for sowing and planting. 



