Guetacee—Ephedra. 457 
has oblong-lanceolate leaves about 3 inches long, and N. ovata 
has rather smaller ovate cuspidate leaves. There are handsome 
variegated varieties of both species. 
Dacrydium, Microcéchrys, and Phyllocladus are Australasian 
genera belonging to this tribe, but none of their species are 
sufficiently hardy for our climate, 
Orper CXI—GNETACEA. 
This is a small order or, as considered by some, a tribe, of 
the Coniferw. The species are shrubs or trees with jointed 
branchlets and simple net-veined broad or small scale-like 
leaves. The fruit is a small 2-seeded berry in the only genus 
concerning us. There are only three genera referred here. 
Gnétum has large opposite leaves, and Welwitschia is re- 
markable for its short thick tabular flat-topped trunk with two 
opposite leaves. 
1. EPHEDRA. 
This genus consists of trailing shrubs with numerous very 
long slender jointed green branches, and small scale-like 
leaves. The fruit is a 2-seeded berry. These shrubs inhabit 
the rocky shores of the Mediterranean and salt plains of Asia. 
The generic name is of Greek origin, and was applied by the 
ancients to the Horsetail (Hippiris vulgaris). 
E. altissima and E. distachya, from the Mediterranean 
region, and FE. monostachya from Siberia, will flourish near the 
sea in the South-western counties. They aresuitable for covering 
rock-work or pillars. The first is very showy when covered 
with its scarlet berries, 
