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T. G. B. Osborn. 
Pteridophyta. 
Vascular cryptogams are poorly represented around Adelaide. 
Pteridium has already been mentioned. Cheilantlies tenuifolia is a 
common fern on the foothills, where it may cover large areas. 
Adiantum cethiopicum is still to be found though in decreasing 
amounts. Grammitis rutcefolia and Asplenium flabellifolium are 
not uncommon in the crevices of rocks by the creeks. Schombergk 
refers to thickets of Todea of which probably no specimen survives 
wild to-day. Gleichenia circinata is now only rarely to be found in 
the damper places. 
Parasitic Plants. 
Certain phanerogamic parasites are noticeable features of the 
vegetation. Exocarpus cupressiformis occurs frequently in the hills. 
Even more notable are species of Loranthus and Cassytha. Loranthus 
pendulus is common on Eucalypts, huge masses of its yellowish 
green foliage hanging in profusion from many trees. The leaves of 
this species are very similar to those of the host plant in shape and 
pendent habit. Cassytha pubescens occurs in great profusion on a 
large number of hosts. Though frequently referred to as “Australian 
dodder” it has but the most superficial resemblance to Cuscuta 
since, though leafless, it is green. Like Loranthus the fruits of 
Cassytha have a glutinous pericarp that readily adheres to anything 
in which it may be placed. Once established the plant spreads 
rapidly by means of its tough twine-like stems. A second species, 
C. glabella , is more common on the lower growing shrubs, e.g., 
Pultenea, Epacris, Hibbertia , etc. Autoparasitism is extremely 
common amongst Cassytha stems which frequently form rope-like 
masses as much as a centimeter thick. 
Fires. 
Bush fires are only too common even in the settled districts 
of the hills. It is well known that the hard woody fruits of Hakea 
and Banksia may normally remain closed for many years but open 
freely after a fire. The stringybark, Eucalyptus obliqua, shoots 
freely from dormant buds even after a severe scorching. It is 
probable that seedling Eucalypts only have a good chance of 
establishing themselves when a fire has cleared the ground. I have 
repeatedly observed, especially on a visit to the extreme south-east 
of the State, that all the trees or saplings over a large area appear 
to be the same age, while standing amongst them will be the burnt 
