OF ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC PLANTS. 
121 
GENUS XLIV. 
ACACIA Neck. THE ACACIA. 
Lin. Syst. POLYGAMIA MONOECIA. 
Generic Character. — Flowers polygamous. Calyx four or five- from ten to two hundred in each flower. Legume continuous, dry, 
toothed. Petals four or five, sometimes free, and sometimes joined two-valved. (ft Don.) 
together into a four or five-cleft corolla. Stamens variable in number, 
Description, &c. — This genus consists of a great number of species, upwards of three hundred and forty 
of which have been described and named by botanists. These numerous species are divided into several sections, 
the heads of which will be given to avoid confusion. The name of Acacia is said to be derived from a Greek 
word signifying to sharpen, in allusion to the stipules of many of the species being hardened into spmes. 
SECTION I.— PHYLLODINE^. 
Sectional Character. — Leaves of two forms; those in seedling plants are bipinnate, but in adult plants the leaflets are abortive, and there 
only remains a dilated petiole, which is called a phyllodium. (ft. Don.) 
Description, &c. — The species contained in this section are all remarkable for having dilated petioles instead 
of leaves, and they are nearly all natives of New Holland. In some of them the flowers are collected into globular 
heads, while in others the clusters of flowers form spikes. 
§ 1. Flowers collected into globular heads, which are solitary on the pedwncles. Stipules spiny. 
1.— ACACIA ALATA M. Br. THE WINGED ACACIA. 
the apex, and with the upper margin furnished with a glandular tooth. 
Heads of flowers solitary or twin. (ft. Don.) 
Engraving. — Bot. Reg., t. 396. 
Specific Character. — Stipules spinose, permanent. Stem bifari- 
ously winged. Phyllodia decurrent, one-nerved, ending in a spine at 
Description, &c. — A very curious plant, with the leaves decurrent, or running down the stem, so as to make 
the plant appear as though it were only a thickened stem with no leaves. The species was introduced in 1803, 
and it flowers from April till July. 
2.— ACACIA DECIPIENS B. Br. THE PARADOXICAL ACACIA. 
Synonymes. — A. dolahriformis Coll,-, Adiantumtruncatum Bwrm . ; 
Mimosa decipiens Keen. 
Engravings.- — Bot. Mag., t. 1745, and t. 2244. 
Specific Character. — Stipules spinescent, deciduous. Phyllodia 
triangular, and somewhat trapezoid, with the nerve approximating the 
lower side, and drawn out into a spine at the apex, the superior margin 
furnished with one acute gland-hearing tooth. Heads many-flowered, 
usually solitary, (ft. Don.) 
Description, &c. — There are two varieties of this species, both of which are remarkable for their very curiously 
formed phyllodia, and for their great profusion of globular heads of flow'ers. They are both natives of New Holland, 
whence they were introduced in 1813. 
3.— ACACIA ARMATA B. Br. THE ARMED ACACIA. 
Engraving. — Bot. Mag., t. 1653. | obliquely ovate-oblong, quite entire, one-nerved. Branches hairy. 
Specific Character. — Stipules spinescent, permanent. Phyllodia | Heads of flowers solitary. Legumes velvety, (ft. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This species is exceedingly well known, as it flowers freely when of a small size, and is 
consequently well adapted for growing in pots. It is a pretty little plant with sharp slender spines, and a great 
abundance of flowers. It is tolerably hardy and of easy culture ; and it will bear the confined air of a living-room 
better than most other greenhouse plants. 
