36 
OXYLOBIUM obovatum. 
Wedge-leaved Oxylobium. 
DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Nat. ord. Leguminosas, § Papilionace^e. 
OXYLOBIUM. Botanical Register, vol. b.fol. 392. 
O. obovatum ; foliis late obovato-cuneatis obtusis truncatis retusisve mucro- 
nulatis crassis coriaceis, racemis axillaribus dense capitatis multifloris, 
calycibus sericeo-villosis subferrugineis, ovario 4-ovulato. Bentham in 
Lindley's Swan River Vegetation, p. xii. 
0. cuneatum. Ib. 
As an addition to the hard wooded Australian shrubs with 
yellow pea-flowers this is acceptable, for it forms a pretty 
greenhouse plant which lasts in blossom for some time. It is 
the species intended by Mr. Bentham by his O. cuneatum, 
as we have ascertained by comparing it with one of the original 
specimens from which his specific character was framed; but we 
cannot regard it as distinguished from O. obovatum, and, as 
that name has been applied to it in the nurseries, we adopt 
it in preference. We have not seen the fruit. 
Fig. 1. represents the calyx, and 2. a section of the ovary 
of the plant. 
It is best cultivated in a soil which is rather poor ; com- 
posed of very sandy loam and peat, and should he kept in a 
cold pit where it is quite secure from frost during winter. 
The pot must he well drained, and the plant should be seldom 
shifted after it is once established : when the shifting does 
take place, it should be a liberal one. Great care must also 
be taken that the plant never suffers for want of water ; if 
this happens it hardly ever recovers ; moreover, it should 
never be placed out of doors during the summer, but always 
be kept in a cold pit where the lights can be put on in wet or 
windy weather. 
p 
