180 



oblong pointed, and densely pilose in the young state ; produced 

 abundantly (Kew Bull. 1893, p. 115). 



III.— Ventenat, Descr. PI. Nouv. Cultiv. Cels, t. 13 ; Bot. Reg. 

 (1816) t. 121 ; Bot. Mag. t, 1908 ; Lodd. Bot. Cab. t. 761. 



Vernac. name. — Escabon (Teneriffe, Perez). Silky Cytisus. 



There are several forms of this species differing slightly in the size 

 of the leaves and the colour of the flowers. None of them however 

 possess any special merit as fodder plants, and the Escabon itself is 

 seldom browsed upon bv animals unless pressed by hunger (Kew 

 Bull. I.e. p. 115). 



Var. palmensis, Christ, Bot. Jahrb. IX. p. 120. 



This variety differs from the type by its more robust growth, 

 and a laxer habit. It often attains a height of 12-15 ft. in good soils, 

 and all parts of the stem and branches are enveloped in leaves. Its 

 very leafy character is one of the marked features of the plant. The 

 leaflets are ovate-oblong somewhat obtuse and dark-green in colour. 

 The young growths are almost destitute of the silky hairs so 

 abundant on the species (Kew Bull. 1893, p. 116). 



Vernac. name. — Tagasaste (Canary Islands, Perez). 



This plant is especially useful as a fodder. It may be cut two or 

 three times a year, and 35 lbs. of freshly chopped leafy branches 

 mixed with 20 lb. of chopped straw is said to be sufficient for the 

 daily nourishment of a horse or cow (Kew Bull. 1891, p. 239). 



Seeds were distributed by the Royal Gardens, Kew, in 1879 to 

 various Colonial Governments, and very satisfactory reports were 

 received from South Australia, Ootacamund, Madras ; Cape Colony, 

 Natal, &c. 



There is no record of any similar attempt to introduce the plant to 

 Nigeria, except that it was recommended by Kew (1892) to a corres- 

 pondent for cultivation in dry situations in the Colony of Lagos, and 

 that seeds were purchased by the Lagos Government in 1892, from 

 Messrs. Vilmorm Andrieux & Co., Paris, they germinated freely, it is 

 recorded, but eventually damped off (Millen, Report Bot. St. Lagos, 

 30th Sept. 1892) ; no other reports are available. There seems to be 

 little doubt, however, in view of its importance as a fodder that the 

 plant is worthy of experimental cultivation at some of the inland 

 stations. The single attempt to establish the plant does not appear to 

 have been a fair one and a trial should be made in the drier regions 

 or in the high lands of Nigeria. 



The plant will not stand frost, but it will probably bear consider- 

 able heat, and may therefore prove suitable for tropical and subtropical 

 countries with a friable soil (I.e. 1893, p. 116). 



Propagation may be effected by seed or by cuttings. The seeds 

 are slow in germinating. A light dry soil and a warm climate are 

 the main requirements. Each plant should be placed 6 to 10 ft. 

 apart. After the second or third year the plants may be lopped two 

 or three times a year, continuing for from 10 to 20 years (I.e. p. 239). 

 No irrigation is required and the plant can be grown in comparatively 

 barren land up to 40U0 ft. above sea level (I.e. p. 242). 



Ref. — " Tagasaste " {Cytisus proliferus, Linn, var.) Kew Bull. 

 1891, pp. 239-244. — Le Tagasaste, Cytisus proliferus varietas, 

 Perez & Sagot, pp. 1-38 (Paris 1892). — " Tagasaste {Cytisus pro- 

 liferus, Linn. var. palmensis, Christ) Kew Bull. 1893, pp. 115-117. 



