38 Forage Plants of Australia. 



OEDEE JASMINES. 



JASMINUM LINEAKE, E. BR. 



" Linear-leaved Jasmine." 



Flora Austr., Vol. IV, p. 295. 



A:N" erect shrub, either quite dwarf or bushy, and attaining 6 to 8 feet high, 

 or with elongated, somewhat twining branches, usually hoary. The leaves 

 are opposite, or the upper ones alternate three f oliolate ; leaflets usually 

 lanceolate or linear, the terminal one 1 inch to 4 inches long, the lateral ones 

 shorter. Mowers in axillary trichotomous panicles often numerous, but 

 rarely exceeding the leaves. Berry simple and ovoid, but sometimes didy- 

 mous, as illustrated at figure 1. This shrub is found in the interior of nearly 

 all the Australian colonies, but it does not appear to be plentiful anywhere. 

 It is a capital plant for resisting the drought, and the peculiar hoary 

 appearance of its three foliolate leaves makes it easy of recognition amongst 

 the surrounding vegetation. In very dry times this shrub is much sought 

 after by stock of all kinds, so that it gets very little chance to recuperate, 

 except when other herbage is plentiful. When it is left undisturbed for a 

 time, however, it produces flowers and fruits in abundance, and the seeds 

 will germinate readily under ordinary conditions. This shrub is worthy of 

 the attention of horticulturists, for it is very ornamental both in flower and 

 fruit, and if introduced into shrubberies would be very effective ; and, 

 besides, it will grow in very dry situations, where few other ornamental 

 plants could live. There are about seven species of the genus jasminuni 

 found in Australia, but most of them belong to the warmer portions of the 

 continent. Most of them are worthy of being introduced to cultivation, for 

 they are very ornamental. They can be propagated both by seeds and 

 layers ; the latter is the quickest way to obtain good-sized plants. If raised 

 from seeds for horticultural purposes they should be sown in pots or pans 

 that have been well drained, and filled with a light rich soil. When the 

 seedlings are large enough to handle, and the weather propitious, they may 

 be transplanted to their permanent quarters. 



