430 



CCCLXXIX. E. Merrickce. Maiden and Blakely. 



In Joum. Roy. Soc, N.8.W., lix, 192 (1925). 



Mallee 4-10 feet altus ; caulibus erectis vel patentibus 2-3" diametro dense ramulosis ; cortice pallide 

 cinereo, trunci junioris laevi, trunci autem vetusti lamelloso ; foliis junioribus non visis, foliis maturis, 

 alternatis petiolatis angusto-lanceolatis crassis rigidis laevibus pallido-glaucis, supra subtusque nitentibus 

 4-6 cm. longis, 5-9 mm. latis, basi in petiolum breve et compressum angustatis ; venis obscurissimis, venis 

 lateralibus e costa 30-40° orientibus, vena peripherica margini confluente ; inflorescentia axillari, pedunculo 

 communi tereti alabastra cylindracea 3 parum obtusa ferente ; calycis tubo campanulato operculum 

 fere hernisphericum longitudine plus duplo excedente, alabastro omni 10 mm. longo ; pedicellis gracilibus 

 2-3 mm. longis ; filamentis colore lactis floris irributis, induobus ordinibus dispositis ; antheris versatilibus 

 longitudinaliter aperientibus ; fructibus crassis late campanulatis 7-9 mm. longis, 7 mm. latis, margine 

 truncata, valvis brevibus et inclusis. 



" Narrow-leaved Mallee." A Mallee, 4-10 feet high, of widely spreading habit. 

 Stems erect or spreading, more or less virgate, densely branched, imparting to the 

 plant an almost globular outline. Bark light ash-grey in colour, smooth when } r oung, 

 but becoming flaky when old, with tardily shedding plates of darker grey bark. Stems 

 2-3 inches diameter. Leaves glaucous, narrow, buds shining with reddish opercula, 

 and young reddish-green fruits, which become mealy-white with age. 



Juvenile leaves not available. 



Mature leaves alternate, petiolate, narrow-lanceolate, somewhat thick and rigid, 

 more or less acute, tapering into a rather short, compressed petiole, smooth, pale 

 glaucous green and shining on both surfaces, 4-6 cm. long, 5-9 mm. broad. Venation 

 obscure, the midrib more or less channelled on both sides of the leaf ; the lateral veins 

 spreading at an angle of 30 to 40 degrees to the midrib; intramarginal vein confluent 

 with the nerve-like margin. 



Inflorescence axillary, the common peduncle terete, about 5 mm. long, bearing 

 three cylindrical, slightly obtuse buds. Calyx-tube somewhat campanulate, more 

 than twice the length of the somewhat conical operculum, the entire bud about 10 mm. 

 long ; pedicle slender, 2-3 mm. long. Filaments cream-coloured, arranged in two rows 

 around the staminal ring. Anthers (immature) versatile, oblong or nearly so, opening 

 in long, parallel slits, the dorsal gland large, occupying nearly the whole of the back 

 and usually projecting over the top of the cells in front. Floral disc forming a dark- 

 coloured lining over the top of the ovary and extending up the calyx -tube to the slightly 

 raised staminal ring. 



Fruit moderately thick, broadly campanulate, four-celled, 7-9 mm. long, 7 mm. 

 broad, somewhat shining, the rim or disc truncate, valves short and well enclosed. 

 Capsular disc forming a moderately sharp, slightly raised convex ring around the top 

 of the fruit, or what was formerly the staminal ring, which still maintains its raised 

 position. 



