DESCRIPTION. 



CCCLV. E. Gardneri n.sp. 



Arbor gracilis, 20-30' alta, "Blue-leaf Mallet" nota; cortice temii, astringenti ligno, dilute-fusco, 

 denso ; foliis maturis petiolatis crassiusculis rigidis, cyaneo-viridibus, lanceolatis paulum falcatis, venis 

 indistinctis, venis lateralibus tenuissimis ex costa media 45° orientibus ; nulla vena peripheries distincta ; 

 inflorescentia? peduncle longo, applauato, umbellas 6-7 flores in brevibus pedicellis fercntibus; alabastris 

 ante maturitatem elongatis, teretibus, gracilibus ; fructibus elongatis pyriformibus vel cylindraceis, paulum 

 incinctis orifieio, rnargine distincta, valvarum apicibus ex orificio non exsertis. 



A tree of slender habit, about 20-30 feet, not much branched, the trunk slender, and both it and 

 the branches erect, the foliage throughout of a bluish-green cast, hence the name " Blue-leaf Mallet."' Bark 

 fairly thick, decorticating in small thin flakes, silver-grey to silver-brown, very astringent. Timber 

 light-coloured, dense. 



Juvenile leaves shortly petiolate, moderately thick, ovate, lateral veins moderately distinct and 

 nearly parallel, with intermediate ones less distinct and more or less parallel. The lateral veins making 

 an angle of 45-60 degrees with the midrib. Intramarginal vein well removed from the edge. 



Mature leaves petiolate, rather thick and rigid, of a glaucous or bluish-green when fresh. In 

 fact they are the identical colour of the dried specimens — more blue than green. Equally green on both 

 sides, lanceolate, slightly falcate, about 9 cm. long by 2 cm. in greatest width ; venation inconspicuous, 

 the very fine lateral veins making an angle of about 45 degrees with the midrib. Intramarginal vein well 

 removed from the edge. 



Inflorescence, a long flattened peduncle supporting umbels of 6-10 flowers, the pedicels short 

 and nearly terete. Buds (not seen ripe) elongated, about 2 cm. long, terete, slender, slightly tapering to a 

 sharp point which is sometimes hooked. Filaments yellowish, anthers (a little immature), long, with 

 gland at the back, opening in lateral slits ; versatile. Style slightly protruding from the calyx-tube, stigma 

 not dilated. 



Fruits elongated pear-shaped, or cylindroid, 12 mm. long and 5 mm. broad, tapering though not 

 imperceptibly, into the pedicels, slightly constricted at the orifice, with a distinct rim ; the tips of the 

 valves flush with the orifice. The surface of the calyx-tube pitted all over, presumably the result of 

 contraction in drying. Floral disc (or discal lining) very obscure, forming a very thin reddish lining to 

 the inside of the calyx-tube. Capsular disc fused to the staminal ring, forming a slightly thickened ring 

 around the top of the capsule. 



Near Bendering (257 miles from Perth, on the Narrogin-Narembeen line), Western Australia, in 

 gravelly loam on rising ground, forming thicket-like growths with E. aslringens (C. A. Gardner, No. 1239, 

 6th February, 1922). This interesting species is named in honor of Charles Austin Gardner, of the 

 staff of the Conservator of Forests of Western Australia. He has done much to elucidate this species and 

 has done admirable botanical work. 



' : A scrubby form (mallee) of this species is common on tlie plains to the north. 

 of the Stirling Range. It attains a height of 3-4 feet, with spreading stems, otherwise 

 typical. My Wagin specimens, collected in 1920, show the style to be as long as the 

 filaments, also the valves to be slightly exserted (in the Bendering specimens they 

 are level with the top of the capsule)." (Gardner.) 



