INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN FORAGE PLANTS. 223 



81. Sida rhombifolia, Linn., B. FL, i., 196. N.O. Malvacese. 



" Common Sida weed," " Queensland hemp." Called " Paddy- 

 Lucerne " in the Clarence and Richmond River Districts of 

 New South Wales. It is often called " Native Lucerne " in 

 other parts of the Colony. Found in New South Wales to 

 Northern Australia. 



It may not be generally known that the ripe carpels of this 

 weed often cause the death of fowls that feed on them, by the 

 sharp terminal arms of the carpels irritating the inside and 

 causing inflammation. (F. M. Bailey.) 



The leaves are mucilaginous, as are also the tops, and cattle 

 are very fond of them. They are however unable to destroy the 

 plants, by reason of the very strong fibre in the stems. 



82. Solanum eremophilum. F. v. M., B. FL, iv., 459. N.O. 



Solaneee. Found in the interior of New South Wales and 

 South Australia. 



Between Cobham and Mount Arrowsmith (New South Wales), 

 an old drover stated that he has repeatedly seen sheep and cattle 

 die after eating this pretty blue and purple plant. 



83. Solanum simile, F. v. Mi, B. FL, iv., 448. Syn. : S. 

 laciniatum, var., R. Br. ; S. fasciculatum, F. v. M. N.O. 

 Solanacese. Found in all the Colonies except Tasmania and 

 Queensland. 



Sheep feed on this plant. (Annie F. Richards, in Proc. R.S., 

 S.A., iv., 136.) 



84. Sterculia diversifolia, G. Don., B.FL, i., 229. Brachychiton 

 populneum in Muell. Cens., p. 15. Syn. : Brachychiton 

 populneum, R.Br.; Poecilodermis populnea, Schott. N.O. 

 Sterculiacese. " Kurrajong " or "Black Kurrajong." The 

 " Bottle-tree " of Victoria. Found in Victoria, New South 

 Wales, and Queensland. 



Cattle and sheep are fond of the leaves and branches, and in 

 some dry seasons have existed for long periods on scarcely 

 anything else. In parts of the Riverina (New South Wales) the 

 trees are cut down as required for this purpose. (General Report, 

 Sydney International Exhibition, 1879.) 



85. Swainsonia spp., B. FL, ii., 216, et seq. N.O. Leguminosae, 



Native Indigos. 



These plants are reputed poisonous to stock. The active 



principle does not appear to have been isolated, as it only exists 



during certain stages of growth (prior to flowering) of the plant, 



and it seems to be decomposed on drying the plant. The real 



