316 PLANTS OF CENTRAL AUSTRALIA 



BLENNODIA. 



Cruciferarum genuSj prope Matthiolam. 



Char. Gen. — Calyx clausus, foliolis lateralibus basi sac- 

 catis. Petala sequalia, laminis obovatis. Stamina : fila- 

 nientis edentulis. Ovarium liiieare. Stylus brevissiraus. 

 Stigma bilobum dilatatum. Siliqua linearis valvis convexi- 

 usculis, stigmate coronata, polysperma. Semina aptera 

 pube fibroso-raucosa tecta 1 Cofyledones incumbentes. 



Herba (v. SufFrutex) erecta ramosa canescens, pube ra- 

 mosa ; foliis lato-linearibus remote dentatis ; racemis terini- 

 nalibus. 



1. Blennodia canescens. 



Log. In arenosis depressis. 



Desc. Suffruticosa, sesquipedalis, caule ramisque tereti- 

 bus. Folia vix pollicaria paucidentata. Racemi multiflori, 

 erecti, ebracteati. Flores albicantes. Calyx incano-pube- 

 scens. Petalorum ungues calyce paulo longiores. Stamina 

 f), tetradynama, filanientis linearibus menibranaceis apice 

 sensim angustato. 



Obs. This plant has entirely the habit, and in many 

 important points the structure of Matthiola, near which 

 in a strictly natural method it must be placed ; differing, 

 however, in having incumbent cotyledons, and in the 

 mucous covering of its seeds. The mucus proceeds from 

 short tubes covering the whole surface of the testa, each 

 containing a spiral fibre which seems to be distinct from 

 the membrane of the tube. A structure essentially similar 

 is known to occur generally in several families ; to what 

 extent or in what genera of Cruciferse it may exist, I have 

 not ascertained ; it is not found, however, in those species 

 of Matthiola which I have examined. 



