■Oct., 1920 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
99 
A RARE AND HEAUTIFUL NATIVE TECOMA. 
By C. T. Whiti-:, F.L.S., Government Botanist. 
For the past few years Mr. W. R. Petrie, the forests 
■officer resident on Fraser Island, has sent me a number of 
botanical specimens from the island, mostly of timber trees. 
Among a recent small collection were specimens of one of 
the rarest and most beautiful of our native Bignoniaceae, 
viz., Tecorna Hillii. I was particularly interested in receiv- 
ing these specimens, as this apparently is the first time the 
plant has been gathered in a wild state since it was originally 
collected by Mr, Fred Turner in September, 1876. 
In the “ Queensland Flora,’’ Part IV., p. 1134, the late 
F. M. Bailey remarked on this plant: “ The only plant ever 
met with in a wild state was the one found by Mr. Fred 
Turner at Hervey Bay in 1876. when collecting in that 
locality for Mr. Walter Hill.” Further, in conversation I 
had often heard Mr. Bailey remark that he had some doubts 
as to the plant being really a native, not only because it 
had never been rediscovered, but also because it was so 
unlike in general appearance all other Australian species of 
the genus. 
Just before receiving Mr. Petrie’s specimens I had 
been in communication with Mr. Turner regarding the 
plant, and had asked him to let me have the full particulars 
of his discovery of it. To this lie kindly consented, and his 
notes are worthy of being put on record as a contribution to 
the history of botany in this State. Lffider date 23/4/1919 
Mr. Turner wrote:— 
“ I have much pleasure in acceding to your request for particu- 
lars of my discovery of Tecorna Hillii (F.V.M.). In August, 1876, 
the Government of Queensland requested me to make a survey of 
the timbers and to collect the indigenous flora of the Hervey Bay 
district ( I still have the original instructions that were issued to 
me), which was then between 40 and 50 miles from the nearest 
settlement. I traversed the district for six weeks and four days, 
and collected about 3,000 specimens. At the end of September I 
had descended a low, lightly timbered range, running almost due 
east and west, and about half a mile to the south was another low, 
almost parallel range, near the base of which i saw the most 
brilliant display of native flowers it has ever been my privilege to 
see in Australia, during my travels of more than 50,000 miles on 
this continent. I immediately made up my mind to obtain specimens, 
but between the object of my great desire and myself was a swamp 
nearly 400 yards wide, covered with a dense growth of Glcichcnia 
flahellata (R.Br.), and Lygodium scandens (Swartz.), which formed 
an almost impenetrable mass. I essayed to cross the swamp 
although the two aboriginal men I had with me tried to dissuade 
me, mentioning big snakes, deep waterholes, and other, to me at 
