Forage Plants of Australia. 55 



ORDER CHE]S T OPODIACE.. 



CHENOPODIUM ATEIPLICINUM, F. v. M. 



" Atripiex-like Goosefoot." 



Flora Austr., Vol. V,p. 163. 



A PERENNIAL plant, branching at the base only, with numerous erect stems 

 usually attaining a height of 1 foot. The leaves are somewhat variable, but 

 are usually from lanceolate to broadly hastate. The lower ones are about 

 2 inches long, and the upper ones smaller and narrower. The flowers are 

 arranged in dense axillary clusters, often from the base to the apex of the 

 stems. This plant is peculiar to the arid central plains beyond the Darling 

 River in Xew South Wales, Winmera District in Victoria, and Flinder's 

 Eange in South Australia, and it is fairly plentiful in some of those dis- 

 tricts. Its free seeding qualities have rendered it somewhat proof against 

 extermination. Its drought enduring qualities are remarkable ; for it 

 flourishes even in the driest seasons, and its fresh pale green and slightly 

 pubescent foliage can readily be detected among other vegetation. But this, 

 in a great measure, may be accounted for by its very long roots, which 

 penetrate the earth for a considerable distance downward, and, consequently, 

 are out of the reach of the scorching influence of the sun's rays during the 

 summer months. It is a capital forage plant, which all herbivora eat with 

 avidity ; and pastoralists look upon it as a valuable and nutritious herb 

 during all seasons. On this account it is well worthy of conservation, as 

 also are all forage plants which will grow on our arid plains. Continued 

 neglect and overstocking runs are slow but sure means for their extermina- 

 tion. When left unmolested this plant produces an abundance of seeds which 

 germinate readily if sown in the spring of the year, and under ordinary 

 conditions. 



At Figure I is illustrated a section of the perianth.] The segments, four or 

 five, are erect, lanceolate, and at the points somewhat spreading. The seeds 

 are wrinkled, and enclosed in the perianth. 



