OF ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC PLANTS. 
145 
1.— BEAUFORTIA DECUSSATA B. Br. THE CROSS-LEAVED BEAUFORTIA. 
ENGRiviNGS. — Bot. Mag., t. 1733 ; Bot. Reg., t. 18. I many-nerved. Bundles of stamens on very long claws; filaments 
Specific Character. — Leaves opposite, decussate, ovate or oval, | radiating. Style usually flexuous. 
Desceiption, &c. — The flowers of this plant are very curious. They are produced in clusters or fascicles round 
the stem, and above them the stem divides into three leafy branches. The flowers consist almost entirely of 
stamens, the petals being green and so small as to be quite inconspicuous. The style is curiously curled up, and 
lies like a miniature snake in the centre of the flower. The stamens are disposed in bundles ; and each consists 
of a very long claw or stem, branching at the e.vtremity into four or five distinct filaments bearing anthers. The 
plant grows about four or five feet high, with a woody stem, wliich has only a few branches, and those placed near 
the upper part; the stem below them being striped by four rather broad longitudinal fillets of bark, which “ scale 
off by determinate portions, parting at the base upwards, within the intervals of the scars left by the fallen foliage.” 
Altogether, the plant has a very singular appearance ; but it is ornamental, from the deep scarlet of the stamens, 
and dark-green of the leaves. It was introduced in 1800. 
OTHER SPECIES OP BEAUFORTIA. 
BEAUFORTIA DAMPIERI Cunn. 
A dwarf shrub with tortuose branches, somewhat like those of Araucaria imhricata, and globose heads of 
pinkish flowers. A native of Western Australia, introduced in 1822. 
GENUS VI. 
CALOTHAMNUS Labill. THE CALOTHAMNUS. 
Lin. Syst. POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. 
Generic Character. — Calyx four or five-toothed. Bundles of stamens opposite the petals. Capsule covered by the calyx, threc-ceUed, 
' many-seeded. Flowers sessile. ((?. Don.') 
Desceiption, &c. — This genus is very nearly allied to the last, from which, indeed, it is distinguished only by 
some botanical differences invisible to any eyes but those of a botanist. The name is derived from two Greek 
words signifying beautiful shrub. There are five or six species, but only two of them are in general cultivation in 
Great Britain. Some of the species were called the White Tea Tree by the early colonists. 
1.— CALOTHAMNUS QUADRIFIDA B. Br. THE FOUR-CLEFT CALOTHAMNUS. 
Engraving. — Bot. Mag., t. 1506. I bearing from twelve to fifteen anthers each. Adult leaves, as well as 
Specific Character. — Bundles of stamens four, distinct, equal, \ flowers, glabrous. 
Desceiption, &c. — A curious and showy greenhouse shnib, bearing considerable resemblance to Beaufortid 
decussata, but differing from that species in having the stamens growing in a tuft on one side, instead of being 
disposed round the stem. The species is a native of the south-west coast of New Holland, whence it was 
introduced in 1803. 
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