









OF ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC PLANTS. 147 
OTHER SPECIES OF MELALEUCA. 
M. DECUSSATA 2, Br. 
A pretty little shrub, nearly allied to the last, but with much smaller heads of flowers. z It is a native of the 
south coast of New Holland, whence it was introduced in 1803. The flowers are lilac, and are produced in 
small heads, which appear to grow on peduncles, ‘‘ but these are in reality branches with sessile flowers; which, 
after the flower decays, are elongated, and the part of the branch on which the flower grows is thickened, so that 
the capsules become half immersed in the wood.” The flowers are produced in succession nearly all the summer. 
M. FULGENS 2. Br. 
This very showy species is more nearly allied to Beaufortia and Calothamnus than any of the other kinds of 
Melaleuca, from the disposition and general appearance of the flowers. It “is a slender, hard-wooded, branching 
shrub,” with a smooth bark, which is red in the young wood, but in the old becomes brown, “ with a cuticle which 
peels off in long narrow strips.” The species is a native of the south of New Holland, whence it was introduced 
in 1803. It is rather tender in England, and requires to be kept in the greenhouse all the year. It flowers 
earlier than the other species. 
M. FRASERI £er. 
One of the prettiest species of the genus. It is a low much-branched shrub, bearing the leaves in tufts, at the 
extremity of the branches. The flowers are of a delicate rose-colour, and they are disposed in nearly oval or sub- 
globular heads. The species is a native of New South Wales, whence it was received in 1832. It is sometimes 
called M. genistifolia in the nurseries, but it is quite distinct from that species. 
M. SQUARROSA R. Br. 
This species is soninetfinaes called the Myrtle-leaved Melaleuca, because the leaves when rubbed, and the flowers 
when dried, have an agreeable aromatic smell, like the leaves of the Myrtle. The species is found in various parts 
of New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land, and the plants imported from the latter country are so nearly hardy 
that they may be grown in the open air, if they have a slight protection during severe frosts in winter. The 
species, which was introduced in 1794, has whitish flowers, the stamens of which are collected in five bundles, only 
slightly connected at the base. 
M. INCANA 2. Br. 
A very pretty little plant with whitish flowers and greyish leaves, a native of New South Wales, whence it was 
introduced in 1794. It is sometimes called M. canescens, and sometimes M. tomentosa. There are several other 
species. 
GENUS VIII. 
EUDESMIA Dec. THE EUDESMIA. 
Lin. Syst. POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. 
Generic Cuaractrr.—Limb of the calyx four-toothed. Petals joined into a deciduous operculum. Bundles of stamens four, alternating with 
the teeth of the calyx. Capsule four-celled, four-valved. Flowers pedunculate. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c.—Only one species is known of this genus (E. tetragona). It is a shrub, growing in its 
native country about ten feet high, with square branches, broad lanceolate leaves, and umbels of white flowers 
The leaves are leathery, and of that bluish-green which is so common among Australian trees. The name of 
Eudesmia is from two Greek words, signifying well-bundled, in allusion to the arrangement of the stamens. 
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