NIPA FRUTICANS BY F. M. BAILEY, F,L.S. 



147 



known species. Within the last fe>v days Mr. Neame hag sent 

 me a fine head of drupes — a few of which are laid upon the table 

 this evening. When intact this head measured about 1G inches in 

 diameter. Mr. Neame writes that the Herbert River natives make 

 use of the seeds when in an unripe state for food, as is done in 

 other countries where the Nipa is indigenous. 



The following is a brief diagnosis of the plant which I 

 drew up when it was first sent me by Mr. Neame in 1881 : — 



Nipa fruticans, var. Neameanu. 



Stem short, thick, from a stout creeping rhizome, which is 

 much flattened and about 1 foot broad, with a thickness of about 

 6 inches, rooting from the under surface only, the upper surface 

 quite smooth. Leaves averaging about G or 7 to a plant, 4 usually 

 living, and 2 or 3 decaying, pinnate, 25 feet to 30 feet long, the 

 base very stout and clasping the very short erect stem. Pinna? 

 approximate, of from 50 to BO pairs, 2 feet to 4 feet long, 2 inches 

 to 3^ inches broad, plicate, the midrib sharply angled beneath, the 

 upper side bearing lanceolat e dark brown centrally attached scales 

 two prominent ribs on each side of the midrib, and rib-like 

 margins, the midrib confluent with the lower margin below the 

 apex, forming an angular point of several inches in length. Ped- 

 uncle 3 feet or 4 feet high, bearing 3 large and many small sheath- 

 ing bracts : the lowest larger one very obtuse, having a strap-like 

 appearance from the rather broad wings formed on either side, 

 other bracts all pointed and much smaller, and one or two keeled; 

 panicle of 5 branches, tho lower lateral ones male, each much 

 divided, the divisions ending in male catkins 1 or 2 inches long, 

 and about J inch in diameter, digitaliform, the terminal branch 

 bearing a spherical head of from 1 foot to 16 inches in diameter, 

 composed of more or less angular fibrous drupes, each al>out C 

 inches long by 3 inches broad, when ripe of a chestnut-brown and 

 more or less glossy, each containing one round seed, which 

 although it may be eaten in an unripe state, becomes very hard and 

 ivory-like when old. 



Hub. Herbert River. Arthur Ncame, 1880. 



This genus has been placed by some botanists in Pandanece 

 by others in Palmce. In the Synopsis of the Queensland Flora it 



