BOS PLAGIANTHUS BETULINUS. 
ie 
Properties AND UsEs. 7 
The wood of Plagianthus betulinus is white, straight in the grain, ‘on ne i 
even: it is sometimes prettily marked, and would prove of value for it 
wood"’ furniture. It is easily split, and was formerly employed for t rails, 
shingles, palings, &c., but owing to its perishable character it 1s now but seldom 
used. The twigs have been waneienired into paper in England, and the: sos Q a 
of the trunk is aaitable for that purpose. The bark is very “tough, and is of 
used for tying: like that of the houhere it is easily split into a manne of. ieee 
DistRIBUTION OF THE GENUS. - 
Plagianthus is a small genus, comprising about twelve species, four of which 
are endemic in New Zealand, the others being restricted to Australia, ° 
a 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES, es. - 
Plagianthus betulinus is endemic in New Zealand, and occurs from Mongonui 
to Stewart Island: it is also found in the Chatham Islands, but is sometimes 
absent from large districts, as from Great Omaha, the Great Barrier Island, the 
Titirang1 distant the vicinity of Auckland, the Thames Goldfield, &c. 
It exhibits a marked preference for lowland habitats, but ascends to at least 
1,500ft. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Plagianthus betulinus, A. Cunn. 
P. urticinus, A. Cunn. 
Philippodendron regium, Poit. . 
A tree, 30ft. to 6oft. high, but usually smaller; trunk ft. to 2ft. in diame oe 
Leaves on young plants distant, from Jin. to tin. long, variously lobed « 
toothed ; on mature plants, twigs, leaves in young state, end stipules pubese a 
leaves he membranous, tin. to 3in. long, on slender petioles, ovate or 
ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, entire or variously lobed, or coarsely serrate or 
crenate or doubly serrate. Panicles, terminal; branches numerous, slender, 
clothed with stellate tomentum. [lowers very numerous ; calyx five-cl left, 
inferior ; petals, five, free, white, varying in size, rounded at the tip. Sta yninal 
tube adherent with the petals; free portion of the filaments very short; ar nthers 
reniform; carpel one. Fruit an ovoid capsule; pericarp thin ; seed one. 
ExpLiaxarion or Pratres CIIL anp CIV. 
CIIL. Plagianthus betulinus, A. Cunn. Flowering specimen after the vetals 
have fallen. 1 and 2. Portions of a young plant. 3. Portion of a panicle, All 
natural size. 4. Male flower. 5. The same with calyx removed. Both 
magnified. 6. Fruit. 7. Secd. Both natural size and enlarged. : 
CIV. Plagianthus betulinus, A. Cunn. Specimen with immature — ‘fruit, 
natural size, 
