208 



THE TASMAKIAN FLORA. 



any but is most closely connected with Thismia. It, however, differs 

 in its placentation from the definition of the order, and from the 

 definition of Thismia, in many details. 

 T EODWAYi F V. M. A small saprophytic plant without chlorophyll, 

 completely subterranean except the flower. Stem slender, creeping underground, 

 with few branches, about 2 or 3 inches long, leafless. Branches erect, bea,nng few 

 small lanceolate, colourless, bract-like leaves, each branch terminating in a 

 soHtaW flower at the surface of the ground. Flower subtended by an involucre 

 of 3 partly-combined bracts. Perianth crimson and yellow, about j inch long 

 the tube companulate; lobes 6, much shorter than the tube, 3 incurved and 

 connate at their apices, and 3 shorter, broad, free, and recurved Stamens 6, 

 inserted into the orifice of the perianth-tube, but reflected into the tube ; the 

 filaments flattened, adnate near their ends, extending beyond the anthers 

 Anthers of 2 free cells. Ovary 1 -celled. Ovules numerous, on a free central 

 placenta, each attached by a long funiculus. Style single. Stigmas 3, but each 

 divided to the base into 2 linear lobes. 



Gully on eastern slope of Mount Wellington. Fl. Dec- Jan. 



Oedee hX.^Yll.—IRIDACE^. 



Perianth superior (in the aberrant genus, Sewardia, nearly inferior), of 6 

 partially-united segments, in 2 series, often differing greatly in shape. Stamens 

 3, in some aberrant forms 6, usually inserted into the perianth. Anthers opemng 

 outwards. Ovary 3-celled, with several ovules in each. Style solitary, with 3 

 stigmatic branches. 



World-wide distribution. 



Stamens 3. 



Perianth with 3 large and 3 very small segments. 



Perianth divided to the base 1. Diplarrhena. 



Perianth with a long tube 'I. Patersonia. 



Perianth-segments equal. 



Flowers few together, white ... ... ... 3. Libertia. 



Flower single, pink ... ... ... ... 4. Trichonema. 



Ovary nearly superior ... ... ... ... 5. Sewardia. 



Stamens 6. Flower green ... ... ... ... 6. Campynema. 



1. DIPLARRHENA. 



Perianth divided to the base ; 3 outer segments spreading, broad ; 3 inner ones 

 narrow and sub-erect. Stamens 3, but 1 rudimentary. Style long and slender, 

 with 3 unequal, stigmatic, flat branches. Capsule acutely 3-angled. Seeds 

 circular, very flat. 



The genus contains but 1 species. 



D. MOECEA, Lab. Leaves and flowering-stem arising from a short creeping 

 rootstock. Leaves rather numerous, flat, rather thick, j-f inch broad, and 1-2 

 feet lonor. pointed, pale green. Stem about 2 feet high, slender. Flowers few, 

 in a terminal spike, usually only one open at a time, enclosed in a pair of narrow 

 bracts about 2 inches long. Outer segments spreading, obovate, about 1 inch 

 long, white ; inner segments narrow, yellow, about \ inch long. £). latifolia, B., 

 included. 



Very common ; also in Xew South Wales and Victoria. Fl. spring and 

 summer. 



D. latifolia, B., is only a robust alpine form common on mountains. 



