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P L A T E CCCCLXXVL
MELALEUCA D I O S M tEFO LI A.
Diosma-leaved Melaleuca.
CLASS XVIIL ORDER IV.
POLYADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. Threads in many Sets. Many Chives.
CALYX quinquefidus, semisnperus. Pétala quinqué.
Filameuta multa, longissirua, in quinqué
corpora connata. Pistillum unum.
Capsula 3-locularis.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
Cup five-deft, half above. Petals five. Threads
numerous, very long, united into five bodies.
Pointal one. Capsule 3-celled.
See Melaleuca Ericaefolia, PI. 175. Vol. III.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
MELALEUCA foliis altematis, ovatis, reflexis,
subtus punctatis, odoratis : fioribus sessilibus
in medio raraorum, viridibus, confertis :
ramis verticillatis, patentibus.
MELALEUCA with alternate leaves, ovate, and
reflexed, punctured beneath, and sweetscented.
Flowers sessile about the middle
of the branches, are of a green colour,
and crowded together. The branches are
whorled, and spreading.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
Z. A flower complete.
2. A flower spread open, without the empalement.
3. One of the five bundles of chives.
4. Empalement, seed-bud, and pointal, summit magnified.
5. A ripe seed-vessel.
THIS perfectly new species of Melaleuca was sent to us by Mr. J. Milne, botanic gardener at Fonthill,
who is very successful in the cultivation of new plants. The punctured or dotted character on the
under side of the leaves gives it an afl5nity to the Diosma tribe, as does also its scented foliage, which
when rubbed emits a grateful aromatic odour; and which the leaves retain in some degree when dried.
The flowers, although not splendid, are perhaps equally estimable from the rarity of their colour,
which is a bright green when in perfection ; but in retiring they acquire a yellower tint. It is a native
of New Holland, and requires the careful treatment of the green-house.
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