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after Colonel Paterson, Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales. “The Laguneea 
Patersonia is a native of Norfolk Island, from whence the seeds were brought to 
England by Colonel Paterson” ( Bot. Mag., t. 769) in 1792 (according to 
Endlicher, Prod. Nor/., p. 75). 
Vernacular Names. —I have heard it called by the name of “ Tulip-tree”— 
rather a far-fetched reference to its flowers. It is more commonly known as 
“ White Wood.” On Norfolk Island it is known as “ White Oak,” which name I 
suggest as the least objectionable of those in use. 
Aboriginal Names.—I know of none. 
Synonyms.— Hibiscus Patersonii, Ait.; Hibiscus Patersonius, Andrews; 
Laguiuea Pater sonia t Sims, Bot. Mag., t, 769; Laguncea squaw ea,\e nt.; Solandra 
squamea, Poir.; Lagunaria Patersouia, Endl. 
Flowers. —It has very large handsome flowers, of a deep pink ; those in 
Norfolk Island are larger and more ornamental than those of the same species on 
the mainland. Backhouse speaks of them as “the size of a wineglass”; in New 
South Wales they are much smaller. 
Fruit. —The inside of the fruit is lined Avitli short, barbed hairs, which 
attach themselves to the skin (like the hairs of “ Cowitch,” from the pods of 
Mucuna prune ns), and are sometimes very irritating. 
Timber. —It is a soft A\ T ood, valueless for economic purposes except as an 
inferior fireA\ T ood ; it is one of the few woods of Norfolk Island little used for that 
or any other purpose. I have not been able to learn of its use on the mainland 
either. 
Bark.— A fibre is prepared by maceration of the hark. It is very beautiful. 
Habitat. —“ Scattered on the grassy hills of Norfolk Island, it forms a spreading tree of 40 feet 
in height. It is perhaps the largest plant known to exist, belonging to the Mallow tribe. In a thick 
wood I met with it 80 feet high, and with a trunk 16| feet round.” (Backhouse, p. 258.) 
Trees 5 feet in diameter are common. 
It is found in coastal Queensland, but 1 doubt if it has been found to 
naturally occur on the mainland of New South Wales. Still it is marked N.S.W. 
in Mueller’s Census and some other lists, doubtless because of the political relation 
of Norfolk Island to N.S.W., and has been included in this Flora as a matter of 
convenience. 
Propagation. —From seed. The tree is very shapely and ornamental in 
appearance, and is worthy of being planted far more extensively than it is. Any 
Sydney nurseryman can supply it. It should do well in all our sca-coast suburbs, 
