160 THE TASMANIAN FLORA. 



1. S. BiFLORUS, Hook. A small, much-branched, prostrate herb, often massej 

 in moss-like patches of a few inches diameter. Leaves linear, acute, about \ 

 inch long, mostly with slightly scabrous margins. Flowers axillary, usually 2" 

 together on a short peduncle, but in some districts the flowers are nearly all 

 solitary ; the flowers subtended by 2 small ovate bracts, and where a second is 

 present it has 2 still smaller bracts at its base. Perianth about h line long; 

 lobes 4 or 5, about as long as the tube. Stamen solitary, inserted on a minute 

 ring round the mouth of the calyx-tube. In the fruiting stage the peduncle- 

 usually elongates considerably ; the calyx becomes indurated, and enlarged to 

 1 line. 



Very common, chiefly in dry, poor land or sandy places. It occurs in New 

 South Wales and Victoria, and also spreads to New Zealand. The species is 

 variable, but very distinct in general characters. One form, with a spreading- 

 -habit and very short fruiting-peduncles, has been described as a distinct species, 

 as S. fasciculattts, H., but where necessarily stunted at least the terminal 

 peduncles elongate, as in the type. In some parts (Mount Arthur, near New- 

 Norfolk) nearly the whole of the flowers are solitary on the peduncles, but on 

 most roots a few develop the second flower. Fl. Nov.-Dec. 



2. S. ANNUUS, Lina. A small, spreading, much-branched prostrate or 

 sub-ei'ect annual, from 1-3 inches long. Leaves 2 or 3 lines long, glabrous,, 

 except towards the base. Flowers solitary or few together, in the leaf-axilg,. 

 sessile or nearly so. Calyx about 1 line long; the lobes linear, acute,, 

 usually 5; the tube very short. Stamens 5, inserted into a hardly perceptible- 

 ring at the mouth of the calyx-tube, with 6 small teeth alternating^ 

 Fruiting-calyx somewhat indurated, about l|-2 lines long, the tube rather 

 longer than the lobes. 



A common European weed. Introduced, and probably widely spreading.. 

 PI. spring and early summer. . 



3. S. DiANDEE, It. Br. A small prostrate or erect perennial, branches many,,, 

 spreading from a woody rootstock, mostly 3 or 4 inches long. Leaves 2-3 lines- 

 long, glabrous, concave, with an acute point. Flowers few together, in the upper- 

 axils, forming small terminal heads. Perianth about 1 line long, with 5 ovate,, 

 acute, scarious lobes, about as long as the tube. Stamens 2, often only 1 

 developing an anther, inserted on an irregular torn ring that is sometimes 

 hardly perceptible. 



Launceston, Avoca ; also in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.. 

 Fl. Nov.-Dec. 



Order liXlY .—POLYGONACEJE. 



Perianth of 6 or fewer segments, free or slightly united at the base, often in 2' 

 distinct series. Stamens 9 or fewer, alternating with the perianth-segments or 

 irregularly inserted. Ovary free, with a single erect ovule. Style various, 2 or 

 more branched. Stigma usually capitate or fringed. Fruit a small, usually 

 angled, nut. 



The order is dispersed throughout the world. 



It consists, in temperate parts, principally of herbs. They form a 

 perfectly natural group, and among their inessential characters their 

 entirely sheathing, scarious stipules form an easy means of recognition.. 

 Perianth of 3 small outer and 3 large inner segments 1. Rumex. 

 Perianth of 5 nearly eqaal segments. 



Wiry herbs. Leaves very shortly stalked... ... 2. Polygonum. 



Small shrub with long leaf-stalks, or much- 

 elongated climber 3. Muehhnbeckia^ 



