Forage Plants of Australia. 29 



ORDER LEGUMINOS.E. 



CASSIA DESOLATA, F. v. M. 

 " Desert Cassia." 



Flora Austr., Vol. II, p. 289. 



A BVSRY shrub, which is sometimes glabrous, but more frequently glaucous, 

 hoary, or white, with a close tomentum. Leaflets, one, two, or very rarely 

 three pairs, ovate, obovate, or oblong, \ to 1 inch or more long. The flowers 

 are arranged in a very short raceme, on short axillary peduncles. Pod when 

 perfect fully an inch broad, straight, or slightly curved, and very obtuse, 

 as shown in the engraving. This plant is found in the interior of all the 

 Australian colonies, and in some situations it is fairly plentiful. As might 

 be supposed, a plant growing undei* such varied circumstances of soil and 

 climate is most variable in habit. In all the forms, however, that I have 

 seen the pods are very obtuse. The drought-enduring qualities of this shrub 

 are something remarkable, and during adverse seasons it affords some herbage 

 for stock. Under ordinary circumstances it produces a quantity of seed- 

 pods, which sheep are fond of, and they may often be seen standing on their 

 hind legs to get at those that would otherwise be out of their reach. When 

 left undisturbed for a time this plant produces a great amount of seed, but 

 when ripe it is very hard, and before sowing it should be steeped in water 

 for a few days, or carefully torrefied, otherwise germination will be consider- 

 ably delayed. The seeds are best sown as soon as possible after the first 

 autumn rains, and where it is intended that the plants are to remain, for the 

 seedlings are very impatient of being transplanted. This shrub is well worthy 

 of the attention of horticulturists, for when it is in flower it is really a 

 charming object, and besides it will grow in the driest of soils, where it would 

 be almost impossible for many other kinds of shrubs to exist. 



