BY J. H. MAIDEN. 545 



186. SoLANUM SIMILE, F.V.M., (Syn. &. laciniatum, var. R.Br., 

 S. fasciculatum, F.v.M.), N.O. Solanese, B.Fl., iv., 448. 



Called " Quena " by aboriginals in South Australia. 



The blacks are fond of the fruit, but do not eat it until it has 

 fallen to the ground. Both black and white men agree that to eat 

 many will cause sickness. The fruit causes a hot buraing taste in 

 the mouth, but its scent reminds me of that of strawberries. 

 (Annie F. Eichards, Froc. B.S. S.A., iv., 136). 



All the colonies except Tasmania and Queensland. 



187. SoNCHUS OLERACEUS, Linn., (Syn. S. asper, Fuchs; S. 

 ciliatus, Lam. ; /S. fallax, Wallr.), N.O. Compositse, B.Fl., 

 iii., 679. [The genus Sonchus is omitted fi'om Muell. Cens. 



Commonly called "Sow-thistle." It is the "Thalaak"of the 

 East Gippsland aborigines. 



The stems and roots are eaten (Hooker). 



Leichhardt, in his Overland Journey to Port Essington, says that 

 the young shoots of Sonchus made aii excellent vegetable. 



This plan is not endemic in Australia. 



Throughout the colonies. 



188. Sterculia diversipolia, G. Don, (Syn. BracTiy chiton popul- 

 neum, R.Br. ; PcBcilodermis populnea, Schott), N.O. Stercu- 

 liacese, B.FL, i., 229. Brachychiton populneum in Muell. 

 Cens., p. 15, 



" Black Kurrajong." The " Bottle-tree " of Victoria. 



The tap-roots of young trees, and the young roots of old ti'ees, 

 are used as food by the aljorigines (Macarthur). When boiled they 

 have a flavour similar to that of turnips, but sweeter. 



The seeds of this and other species are edible, and make a good 

 beverage. 



Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 



