THE TASMANIAN FLORA. 



1, RUMBX. 



161 



Perianth of 6 segments, the outer ones small and narrow, the inner ones 

 larger and closing over the fruit. Stamens 6. Styles 3. Stigmas fringed. 

 Flowers bisexual or unisexual. 



The genus has a distribution as wide as the order, except that it avoids 

 tropical climates. 



Leaves oblong-lanceolate or nearly so. 

 Flowers bisexual. 



Inner perianth -segments with plain margins or 

 with very small teeth. 

 Inner segments with a broad base. Lower 



leaves narrowed at base ... ... ... 1. R. crispus. 



Inner segments narrowed at base. Lower 



leaves broad at base .. . ... ... ... 4>. R. 



Inner segments with acute marginal teeth. 



Marginal teeth simple ... ... ... ... 2. R. ob 



Marginal teeth 4-6, hooked bristles ... ... 3. R.hromnii. 



Flowers unisexual. Leaves lanceolate ... ... 5. R.hidens. 



Leaves hastate. Sexes on different plants ... ... 6. R. anetosella. 



1. R. CRISPDS, Linn. A perennial, with erect furrowed stems, 2-3 feet 

 high, from a thickened rootstook. Lower leaves oblong, pointed, narrowed 

 below into a stalk, margin wavy, mostly 6-8 inches long; upper leaves 

 gradually smaller and less stalked. Flowers very numerous, in small 

 clusters towards the ends of the branches, less spreading than in allied 

 species, each flower on a stalk longer than itself. Inner fruiting perianth- 

 lobes equal, slightly crisped on the margin, one or more bearing a fleshy 

 tubercle towards the base, which is broad and often cordate, about 2J lines 

 long. 



Introduced, and widely dispersed. Common European. Fl. Nov.-Dec. 



2. R. OB'i'usiPOLius, Linn. Habit similar to the last, but the stems more 

 spreading. Lower leaves broadly oblong, rather rounded, and with a 

 cordate base, margin flat, stalked, passing into the upper lanceolate steiji- 

 leaves. Inflorescence as in R. crispus, but looser. Inner perianth-segments 

 broad but not cordate, the margins with 3 or 4 rather long teeth ; usually 

 1, sometimes all segments bear a fleshy tubercle at the base, about 2^ lines 

 long. 



Introduced. Common about Hobart, New Norfolk, and probably many 

 other centres. Fl. Nov.-Dec. 



3. R. BEOWNii, Camp. Habit similar to R. crispus, but rather smaller and 

 more spreading. Lower leaves stalked, oblong, flat, with a cordate or nearly 

 lobed base. Inflorescence very loose and elongated. Flowers on stalks rather 

 longer than themselves. Inner perianth-segments broad, about 2 lines long, 

 the margins bearing 4-6 hooked bristles, without basal thickened tubercles. 



Very common, especially in damp places. It occurs also in Queensland, New 

 South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Fl. Nov.-Dec. 



The following 2 Docks, with a limited foothold, bid fair, however, to extend 

 and become established : — 



R. PULCHEE, Linii. Ascending, with stifl! spreading branches, 1-2 feet. 

 Leaves oblong, with a cordate base, and narrowed in the middle. 

 Whorls of flowers distinct but compact. Inner segments toothed, as in 

 R. obtusifoMus. 



L 



