Plate 25.
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F RANKENIA PORTULAG I FOL I A .
1 2 . H y p e r ic a c ea i {St. Johns Wort Family).
Hypericum, Linn.
46. H. hircinum, Linn.—Stinking St. John’s Wort, seeds well,
grows wild, and is rather common. Alt. 3’8, Oakbank, Hermitage,
&c—Hab. Mediterranean region.
13. PnANKENiACEiE {Sea-Heath Family).
Erankenia, Linn.
47_ *1 '. portulacsefolia, Spreng. — F. Beatsonia, Schultes;
Beatsonia portulaceefolia, Eoxb.; St. Helena Tea. This beautiful
little plant is endemic and grows to a small round bushy shrub,
about two feet in height, covered with pure white blossoms. I t still
exists plentifully on the southern and eastern sides of the Island,
growing on the barren, dry, rocky ground near the sea coast at alt.
•1 to 2. I t is most abundant at Sandy Bay Barn and near The
Asses Ears, and, excepting a few stray plants on the eastern side of
High Knoll, does not exist on the northern side of the Island. The
stems are very shrubby and brittle, and very crooked, the thickest
does not exceed two inches in diameter ; the wood is hard and
of a mahogany colour. I find no record of the plant having been
ever used as a substitute for te a ; possibly its name may be derived
from its small leaves when dry somewhat resembling the appearance
of black tea. P l a t e 25 ; Hk. Icon. Plant. 1058.
14. C a r y o ph y l la c ea ; {Pinlc Family).
Agrostemma, Linn.
48. A. Coronaria, Linn.—A small plant with silvery velvety
leaves and crimson flowers, growing cultivated in gardens, but rare.
—Distrib. S. Europe, W. Asia.
Cerastium, Linn.
49. C. glomeratum, Thuill.—A white-flowered plant, growing
wild in hayfields on the high land. Distrib. Temp, and arctic
Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia.
Dianthus, Linn.
50. D. Caryopbyllus, Linn.—Several varieties of Clove Pink and