332 



DESCRIPTION. 



CCXX. E. ligustrina DC. 



Id Prod, iii, 219 (1828). 



There will be found a copy of the original description at p. 23-4, Part VIII of the present 

 work. G. Don (Gen. Hist. Dichlamydeous Plants, ii, 819. 1832) gives a translation 

 as follows : — 



Operculum hemispherical, mucronate, shorter than the cup; peduncle: axillary, compressed, length 

 of the petioles; flowers 6-8 in a head; leaves linear-lanceolate, very unequal at the base and attenuated, 

 acuminated at the apex. Native of New Holland. Sieb. pi. exsic. nov. holl. no. 017. Leaves 2 inches 

 long, and 4-5 lines broad. Petioles and peduncles 3-4 lines long. Perhaps the same as E. salicifolia Cav. 

 Icon. 4, p. 376. 



I have dealt with the reference to E. salicifolia in the form of a note at Part VIII, 

 p. 234, which need not be repeated here. 



Since the statement in this work (Part VIII) was made, I have obtained 

 additional material of E. ligustrina type (in bud and leaf), and of E. eugenioides var. nana, 

 and am unable to distinguish the former from some of the latter, our knowledge of the 

 latter enabling us to practically complete the life-history of the species. The original 

 description of E. ligustrina would have been inadequate except for the herbarium 

 specimens, imperfect as they are. E. ligustrina is the adult form of that which was 

 mainly depicted in the juvenile form in E. eugenioides var. nana. 



The species may be described in the following words :— 



In exposed situations in the Blue Mountains a dwarf, Mallee-like growth of Eucalyptus grows. The 

 speeies is mainly E. stricta, sometimes admixed with a little E. stellulala var. anguslifolia (published as 

 E. Moorei Maiden and Cambage, later) in swampy places. On the King's Tableland, Wentworth Falls, 

 we found a form of E. eugenioides which bears a remarkable rcsenblance to E. stricta, and in reference to 

 its dwarf habit we style it var. liana. This is the first occasion in which we have found this species to 

 form part of the dwarf gum-scrub in question. 



It bears a strong resemblance to E. stricta, unless the inflorescence and fruits be examined; and we 

 trust that the figures, aided by the following notes, will make the identity of this interesting plant quite 

 clear : — 



Sucker leaves. — Lower leaves almost cordate and very .symmetrical. As growth proceeds they 

 become ovoid and finally lanceolate. The lower cordate leaves about J inch long by § inch broad. 



Mature leaves. — Thicker, and as a rule more symmetrical than those of the normal species. Narrow, 

 lanceolate, those 2 inches in length (which is the normal length) being usually J inch across. Some of the 

 leaves are proportionately so narrow as to come within the designation of linear-lanceolate, which is, we 

 believe, a very unusual circumstance in this species. 



