103 
MIRBELIA FLORIBUNDA. 
(many-flowered mirbelia.) 
class. order. 
DECANDRIA. MONOGYNIAo 
NATURAL ORDKa,. 
LEGUMINOS^. 
Generic Character. — Calyx five-cleft, two-lipped. Z^^/wme two-seeded, longitudinally two-celled, from 
the suture being bent inwards above. 
Specific Character. — Plant shrubby, evergreen, two feet in height, or upwards. Stems villous while 
young. Leaves linear, thick, mucronate, slightly folded under at the margins, pressed near the stem. 
Flowers numerous, purplish-lilac, with a yellowish spot in the centre near the base of the standard, 
surrounded with a darker purple band. 
The foregoing title has been applied by Dr. Lindley to an exceedingly 
attractive species, of which the seeds were received from New Holland, and 
germinated about three years back. Its principal peculiarity is the astonishing 
prodigality in which the blossoms are developed, and from this cause, as well as 
from their beautiful bluish-purple colour, it stands very high among the charming 
products of the same climate, the mass of papilionaceous flowers, and, more 
especially, the members of the genus Mirhelia. In short, we may state that, 
considering the individual showiness of the flowers, their combined effect when 
simultaneously protruded, and the liberal manner in wJiich very young specimens 
produce them, there has not been a more ornamental Australian plant made known 
in England for several years. 
When first blossomed by Messrs. Loddiges in 1840, at which period and in 
March of the present year our figure was executed, it was thought to be the 
M. speciosa of Siebold ; and in what respect it differs from that species beyond the 
greater quantity of its flowers, we have not at present the means of determining. 
It must suffice to declare that its claims to be regarded as a new species have been 
asserted by Dr. Lindley, and that it excels, on the whole, all its congeners with 
which we are acquainted. Its entire habit is favourable to the formation of those 
