198 THE TASMANIAN FLOBA. 



The Tasmanian form described above departs somewhat from the type, 

 and was once raised to a distinct species by von Mueller as P. semi- 

 rubra. It is faithfully figured in Hook. " Fl. Tas.," bat, unfortunately, 

 named P. nana, though the description in that work corresponds with 

 this plant. 



5. P. NANA, R. Br. A rather similar plant to the last, but much more slender. 

 Leaves in a basal rosette, ovate, about \ inch long, on a stalk as long as the 

 lamina. Stalk slender, minutely pubescent or papillose, with 3 or 4 loose acute 

 bracts. Flower erect, about \ inch long ; the upper division erect, the upper 

 third bent straight forward, acute ; lower division erect, the long filiform lobes 

 embracing and extending beyond the hood. Labellum oblong, very obtuse, much 

 shorter than the column. Column erect, the wing with an awl-shaped but short 

 upper process and a broad, flat, ciliate lower lobe. 



Common in the north and George's Bay. Probably in many situations in 

 heathy country, but overlooked. It also occurs in Victoria, South Australia, 

 Western Australia, and New South Wales. PI. Sept. 



6. P. CUCULLATA, i2. Br. Usually a very robust plant, with an almost papillose 

 surface. Leaves usually 2-4, broad, loose, spathe-like, sheathing. Bracts about 

 2-3 inches long. Stem 2-9 inches long. Flower erect, about 1\ inch long ; the 

 upper division curved, and rather obtuse ; lower division erect, the lobes acute, 

 embracing but hardly extending beyond the margin of the hood. Labellum 

 ovate-linear, obtuse, dark green, rather exceeding the column. Column erect, 

 the wings with subulate process above and a broad flat lobe below. P. dubia, 

 Hook. "Fl. Tas." (partly). 



Common in numerous situations, often at a considerable altitude ; also in 

 Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales. Fl. Sept. 



7. P. FtJRCATA, lAndl. Somewhat similar, especially in the dried state, to the 

 last. Leaves usually 1 or 2, stalked at the base, and 1 or 2 sheathing ones on the 

 stem, but the uppermost always smallest, 1-3 inches long. Stem 6-18 inches 

 high. Flower erect, f-I inch long; the upper division describing a considerable 

 and nearly even curve, acute ; lower division erect, with long filiform lobes 

 extending much beyond the margin of the hood. Labellum erect, but curved 

 towards the apex, dark green, linear-ovate, exceeding the column. Column erect, 

 the Aving with a subulate upper process and a flat lower lobe. Figured in Hook. 

 " Fl. Tas." as P. pedunculata. 



Very common in numerous situations ; also in Victoria. Fl. Nov. 



8. P, PE.s;cox, Lindl. Leaves on a distinct stem, ovate, about j-^- inch long, 

 on stalks as long as themselves. Flower-stem about 4 or 5 inches high, minutely 

 papillose, bearing 3 or 4 bracts, each larger as the stem is ascended. Flower 

 erect, about f inch long ; the upper division very curved, and ending in a rather 

 long slender point ; the lower division erect, with long filiform points embracing 

 and much exceeding the hood. Labellum longer than the column, linear, acute. 

 Column erect, the wing prolonged into an awl-shaped lobe above and a flat 

 ciliated lower lobe. 



Common, principally in sandy and heathy soil. It occurs also in Victoria, 

 South Australia, and New South Wales. Fl. June- July. 



9. P. OBTUSA, R. Br. Closely connected to the last, only of usually more 

 slender habit and without the papillose surface. Stem 6-12 inches high, very 

 slender. Bracts usually 4-6, the lowest minute, the uppermost narrow and acute 

 and usually \ inch long. Flower erect, about I inch long, without the filiform 

 points ; the upper division very curved, and produced into a generally long 

 slender point, often | inch long ; lower division erect, the entire portion rather 

 broad and notched in the centre, but not conspicuously difBering from P. proecox ; 

 lobes very long, filiform. Laljellum rather longer than the column, linear, 



