122 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
4.— ACACIA BIFLORA B. Br. THE TWIN-FLOWERED ACACIA. 
Engravings. — Paxton’s Mag. of Bot., vol. ix., p. 221 ; andour^^r. 
2, in PI. 26. 
Specific Characier. — Stipules spinescent, permanent. Phyllodia 
triangular, with one nerve, which approximates the lower side, and is 
drawn out into a spine at the apex, the superior margin furnished with 
one gland-hearing tooth Heads solitary, on short peduncles, two- 
flowered. ((7. Don.') 
Description, &c. — This is a very neat compact little plant, bearing considerable resemblance to A. armata in 
its habit of growth ; but being perfectly distinct both in its leaves and flowers. It generally grows from eighteen 
inches to two feet high. “ The leaves are of a peculiar form, one side of them being nearly wanting, while the 
other takes a wide curve at its margin, so as to resemble in outline the upper edge or back of a common sickle.” 
The species is of easy culture, only requiring to be grown in a small pot, in a mixture of sandy loam and peat ; the 
pot not requiring to be changed so frequently as in the more strong-growing species of the genus. The species 
was first introduced in 1803 ; but it was soon lost, and it was not again brought to this country till 1840. It 
flowers in February and March, and is, therefore, very valuable, as it is covered with blossom at a time when very 
few greenhouse plants are in flower. It is rather diSicult to strike from cuttings ; and, indeed, only the tops of 
the shoots will succeed, and even these produce roots veiy slowly. 
OTHER SPECIES OF ACACIA BELONGING TO § 1, WHICH HAVE SPINY STIPULES. 
A. DOLABRIFORMIS Wendl. 
This is a different species from A. decijnens, which is sometimes called A. dolabriformis in collections; and, in 
fact, it can scarcely be considered as belonging to this division, as the spines fall off before the flowers, and, indeed, 
are sometimes wanting. The species was introduced in 1818, but it is not very often to be met with. 
A. IIASTULATA Smith. 
The spines of this plant are strong and permanent, and the phyllodia, which are of a very singular and almost 
triangular shape, are marked by a projecting nerve down the centre, which ends in a sharp prickly point. The 
upper margin is also furnished with an obtuse tooth. The species was introduced in 1824. 
A. NERVOSA Dec. 
The spines on this plant, like those on the last, are very strong and permanent ; and the phyllodia are acu- 
minated at both ends, ending at the point in a spine. They have also nerve-formed entire margins. The species 
was introduced in 1824. 
A. ORNITHOPHORA Sweet. 
The outline of the leaves of this plant gives the form of the body and head of a bird. 
A. PLATYPTERA Lindl. 
This is a very handsome plant, nearly allied to A. alata. It was introduced from the Swan River in 1841. 
A. DIPTERA Benth. 
Another plant with winged stems, and abundance of flowers, which, however, are rather pale, and are disposed 
in small heads. The leaves are covered with wooUy hairs. The species was introduced from the Swan River 
in 1840. 
A. paradoxa Dec., A. genistifolia Link, A. juniperina Willd., A. asparagoides Gunn., A. Brmvnii Steud., 
A. echinula Dec., and A. pugioniformis Wendl., are all species belonging to this division. 
