Flora of New Sooth Wales NATIONAL HERBARIUM OF NEW SOUTH WALES No. 112. POLYGALACEAE 1978 ISSN 0300-0958 Conspectus of Families of Vascular Plants represented in the Flora of New South Wales (The account of each family, or consecutive group of families as issued, will appear with separate pagination; the names of those families that have been published to date are in italics.) GYMNOSPERMAE 1 Zamiaceae 2 Podocarpaceac 3 Araucariaceae 4 Pinaceae 5 Cupressaceae ANGIOSPERMAE—MONOCOTYLEDONES 6 Typhaceae 29 Commelinaceae 7 Sparganiaceae 30 Pontederiaceae 8 Pandanaceae 31 Philydraceae 9 Potamogetonaceae 32 Juncaceae 10 Ruppiaceae 33 Liliaceae 11 Zannichelliaceae 34 Xantliorrhoeaceae 12 Najadaceae 35 Agavaceae 13 Zosteraceae 36 Philesiaceae 14 Aponogetonaceae 37 Smilacaceae 15 Posidoniaceae 38 Haemodoraceae 16 Juncaginaceae 39 Amaryllidaceae 17 A lismataceae 40 Hypoxidaceae 18 Hydrocharitaceae 41 Alstroemeriaceae 19 Gramineae, Part 1. Supplement 42 Dioscoreaceae to Part 1; Part 2 43 Petermanniaceae 20 Cyperaceae 44 Iridaceae 21 Palmae 45 Zingiberaceae 22 Araceae 46 Cannaceae 23 Lemnaceae 47 Burmanniaceae 24 Flagellariaceae 48 Orchidaceae. See H.M.R. Rupp: 25 Restionaceae The Orchids of New South 26 Centrolepidaceae Wales. 1943. Facsimile 27 Xyridaceae edition with Supplement by 28 Eriocaulaceae D. J. McGillivray. 1969. ANGIOSPERMAE—DICOTYLEDONES 49 Casuarinaceae 69 Molluginaceae 50 Piperaceae 70 Aizoaceae 51 Salicaceae 71 Portulacaceao 52 Fagaceae 72 Basellaceae 53 Ulmaceae 73 Caryophyllaceae 54 Moraceae 74 Nymphaeaceae 55 Cannabaceae 75 Cabombaceae 56 Urticaceae 76 Ceratophyllaceae 57 Proteaceae 77 Ranunculaceae 58 Loranthaceae 78 Berberidaceae 58A Viscaceae 79 Menispermaceae 59 Santalaceae 80 Winteraceae 60 Olacaceae 81 Annonaceae 61 Aristolochiaceae 82 Eupomatiaceae 62 Polygonaceae 83 Trimcniaceae 63 Chcnopodiaceae 84 Monimiaceae 64 Dysphaniaceae 85 Lauraceae 65 Amaranthaceae 86 Cassythaceae 66 Nyctaginaceae 87 Papaveraceae 67 Phytolaccaceae 88 Fumariaceae 68 Gyrostemonaceae 89 Cruciferae (Continued on inside back cover) NEW SOUTH WALES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FLORA OF NEW SOUTH WALES formerly Contributions from the New South Wales National Herbarium Flora Series No. 112. Polygalaceae ISSN 0300-0958 D. West, Government Printer. New South Wales—1978 1978 G 46035H—1 ( * FLORA OF NEW SOUTH WALES Produced under the Direction of L. A. S. JOHNSON Director National Herbarium of New South Wales Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney No. 112. POLYGALACEAE By JOY THOMPSON EDITOR: MARY D. TINDALE Formerly produced under the direction of K. Mair, 1964-1970 112. POLYGALACEAE By Joy Thompson* Flowers bisexual, more or less zygomorphic, rarely actinomorphic, usually arranged in terminal or axillary racemes (these occasionally corymb-like), often in terminal panicles or densely fasciculate and rarely solitary or paired in the axils. Calyx of 5 imbricate sepals, the sepals free or with the lower 2 united or rarely all united in a tube, subequal or with the 2 inner ones large, wing-like and often petal-like. Corolla of 3 or 5 petals, the petals free or variously united, occasionally with the calyx; frequently adnate to the base of and/or variously combined with the stamina! tube, subequal or unequal, with the lower petal often keel-like and frequently pouched, lobed or crested. Stamens 10 or less, usually monadelphous or occasionally free, often united with the petals; the anthers basifixed, 1- or 2-locular, opening by a single and often oblique pore or a longitudinal slit. Ovary superior, usually 2-locular but occasionally 1-, 3- or up to 8-locular; the style simple but often variously dilated or lobed at the apex; the ovules 1 or occasionally more in each loculus, anatropous, pendulous from the central axis or occasionally parietal. Fruit usually a capsule, often conspicuously winged, occasionally fleshy with one or several seeds. Seeds with or without a conspicuous caruncle and often with long hairs. Small trees, shrubs (often twining) or herbs, occasionally parasitic on roots. Leaves simple, alternate (or rarely opposite or verticillate), occasionally clustered; sometimes readily deciduous or reduced or absent. A family of 18 genera and over 1000 species widespread in temperate and tropical regions of the world. Four genera are native to Australia, two to New South Wales. One African genus has a species naturalized in New South Wales. The family is of little economic significance in Australia but a number of species have been used in other countries, especially for medicines, dyes and fibres. The above description covers the family in the broad sense but the genus Xanthophyllum is excluded from Polygalaceae by some botanists; see Dickison in Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 67: 103 (1973). 1. Sepals unequal, the 2 inner ones large and wing-like. Stamens 8, the anthers opening by apical pores. 2. Capsule usually cuneate and much-narrowed at the base, rarely almost orbicular. Seeds not carunculate, the hairs on the seeds usually lengthening into a coma . Comesperma 1. 2* Capsule obovate, obcordate or ovate to orbicular. Seeds carunculate, the hairs on the seeds not lengthening into a coma. Polygala 2. 1.* Sepals unequal or subequal, the 2 inner ones not large and wing-like. Stamens 7, the anthers opening by longitudinal slits . Muraltia 3. 1. COMESPERMA Labill. Nov. Holl. PI. Spec. 2: 21 (1806); Persoon, Syn. PI. 2: 275 (1807), as Comaspermum. [Greek: koine = hair of the head; sperma = seed. The name is of neuter gender]. ‘National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney 2000. (Accepted for publication 14 December 1977) 2 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) Flowers usually in single or clustered terminal racemes, occasionally in axillary racemes or solitary, the pedicels short and usually expanding under the flower, each subtended by a bract and bearing bracteoles at the base. Sepals 5, the outer 3 free, though often with the 2 lower sepals overlapping, or with the lower 2 united, the inner or wing-sepals larger and petal-like. Petals 3, or 5 with 2 very much reduced or vestigial, united (to an extent which varies with the species) with the stamens into a tube open on the upper surface, the lowest petal keeled and usually lobed or pouched, the reduced petals, when present, attached outside the tube. Stamens 8, monadelphous and variously united with the petals for c. their length and then either diadelphous with sessile anthers or free; the anthers basifixed, 1-celled and opening by a large apical pore. Ovary 2-locular, laterally compressed, the style usually flattened and curved or geniculate below a broad, truncate, bi-lobed or bifurcate apex with the stigma at one side. Ovules 2, 1 in each loculus, anatropous, pendulous from the top of the central axis. Fruit a compressed capsule with a narrow marginal wing; loculicidally dehiscent at the margins. Seeds pubescent and usually with many hairs elongating into a coma; with no caruncle but with a raphe often extending along the adaxial surface and/or expanded into a membranous appendage at the opposite (apical) end. Shrubs or subshrubs, often climbing, rarely spiny; often with a woody stock, the roots occasionally aromatic. Leaves alternate and simple, often readily deciduous or reduced to scales. A genus of c. 25 species with a wide distribution in Australia, 8 species being found in New South Wales. Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales: 36 (1893), record C. calymega Labill. from the southern interior of the State. Maiden & Betche, Census PI. New South Wales: 120 (1916), also list this species. There are no specimens collected in New South Wales in the National Herbaria of Victoria or New South Wales. The New Guinean Bredemeyera papuana Steenis, in Acta Bot. Neerl. 17: 380 (1968), appears from the description and illustration to be a species of Comesperma allied to C. volubile. The genus Comesperma is very natural. It was united with the New World genus Bredemeyera by St. Hilaire, FI. Bras. Merid. 2: 36-37 (1829), but this has not been accepted by the majority of Australian authors. Bentham, FI. Austral. 1: 142 (1863), gives a discussion as does van Steenis. The information provided by van Steenis, who united the genera, serves more to distinguish than unite them. 1. Leafy erect plants. Stamens diadelphous above the middle, the anthers appearing to be sessile on the fused filaments. 2. Leaves with recurved to revolute margins, rarely flat but then the lower surface pale-coloured with the mid vein conspicuous . C. ericinum 1. 2.* Leaves flat or slightly keeled with inconspicuous venation. 3. Leaves acute or obtuse, mucronate. Outer sepals i the length of the wing-sepals. C. sylvestre 2. 3.* Leaves usually obtuse, not mucronate. Outer sepals c. i as long as the wing-sepals. C. retusum 3. 1.* Sparsely-leaved plants, often climbing or lax. Stamens free above the middle. 4. Stems twining. 5. Inflorescences axillary, the pedicels and calyx usually glabrous -C. volubile 4. 5.* Inflorescences terminal on short branches, the pedicels with short appressed hairs, the calyx ciliate .. C. integerrimum 5. 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) 3 4.* Stems stiff or lax but not twining. 6. Outer sepals almost as long as the wing-sepals. Fruit long-attenuate at the base . C. defoliation 6. 6.* Outer sepals i to $ as long as the wing-sepals. Fruit not long-attenuate at the base. 7. Erect shrubs with stout stems . C. scoparium 7. 7.* Low straggling plants with slender stems . C. sphaerocarpum 8. 1. Comesperma ericinum DC., Prodr. 1: 334 (1824) ‘ ericina J. D. Hooker, FI. Tasmaniae 1: 32 (1855); F. Mueller, PI. Indig. Colony Victoria 1: 190.(1860-2); Bentham, FI. Austral. 1: 146 (1863); Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales: 35 (1893); Chodat in Engler & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 3, 4: 338 (1896); F. M. Bailey, Queensland FI.: 81 (1899); Rodway, Tasmanian FI.: 11 (1903); Maiden & Betche, Census New South Wales PI.: 120 (1916); Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 22 (89 4 ): 859 (1927); Curtis, Stud. FI. Tasmania 1: 58 (1956); Burbidge & Gray, FI. Austral. Cap. Territory: 244 (1970); Beadle, Evans & Carolin, FI. Sydney Region: 170 (1972): Beadle, Stud. FI. NE. New South Wales 2; 154 (1973); J. H. Willis, Handb. PI. Victoria 2: 196 ( \913).—Bredemeyera ericina (DC.) Chodat in Engler & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 3, 4: 331 (1896) sub fig. 177; Ewart et al.. Field Nat. Club Census PI. Victoria, ed. 1: 40 (1923) ‘ericinum’; Ewart, FI. Victoria: 717 (1931) ‘ B. ericinum ’; van Steenis in Acta Bot. Neerl. 17: 383 (1968). Comesperma coridifolium A. Cunn. in Field, Geogr. Mem. New South Wales: 337 (1825) ‘ coridifolia ’ nomen nudum; Steetz in Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 2: 315 (1848). Comesperma latifolium Steetz in Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 2: 295 (1848); Steetz, Rev. Gen. Comesperma : 5 (1848).— Comesperma ericinum var. latifolium (Steetz) Hook, f., FI. Tasmaniae 1: 32 (1855). Comesperma acutifolium Steetz in Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 2: 296 (1848); Steetz, Rev. Gen. Comesperma: 6 (1848).— Comesperma ericinum var. acutifolium (Steetz) Hook, f., FI. Tasmaniae 1: 32 (1855) ‘acutifolia’. Comesperma linariifolium A. Cunn. ex Steetz in Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 2: 297 (1848) ‘linariaefolium’ ; Steetz, Rev. Gen. Comesperma: 7 (1848). Comesperma patentifolium F. Muell., Fragm. 1: 48 (1858); F. Muell., PI. Indig. Colony Victoria 1: 190 (1860-2), where he considers it to be only a variety.— Comesperma ericinum var. patentifolium (F. Muell.) Benth., FI. Austral. 1: 147 (1863); F. M. Bailey, Queensland FL: 82 (1899); Maiden & Betche, Census New South Wales PL: 119 (1916). Comesperma ericinum var. oblongatum R. Br. ex Benth., FI. Austral. 1: 147 (1863); F. M. Bailey, Queensland FL: 82 (1899); Maiden & Betche, Census New South Wales PL: 119 (1916). Comesperma ericinum forma aristulosum Gandoger in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 60:456 (1913). Comesperma ericinum forma esulifolium Gandoger, loc. cit. 456. Comesperma ericinum forma tasmanicum Gandoger, loc. cit. 456. Comesperma ericinum forma uncinatum Gandoger, loc. cit. 456. 4 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) An erect perennial usually 1-1.5 m in height, often sparsely branched with clusters of erect branches especially in the upper part; the root aromatic. Stems terete or occasionally somewhat ridged below the conspicuous nodes, often with a reddish colour, glabrous but with dense minute tubercles or with the tubercles produced into minute hairs or pubescent with dense spreading or occasionally antrorse or retrorse hairs. Leaves alternate, usually 5-25 mm long and 1^4 mm wide, erect or spreading or even occasionally reflexed, usually oblong or linear but often broader above the centre or even tapering to the apex from a broad base, glabrous or rarely with minute hairs or elongated tubercles, the margins recurved or loosely revolute, rarely flat, the apex obtuse or acute and usually with a conspicuous often mucronate and reflexed point, the lower surface pale with the midvein obvious, the petiole short but thick. Flowers purple- or lilac-pink or white, 4-8 mm long in terminal racemes, often on short branches clustered near the top of the stems; the pedicels equal to or a little shorter than the flower, glabrous; the bracts scarious, ovate to narrow-lanceolate and usually shed well before the flower opens. Outer sepals free, broad-ovate, 4 as long as the wing-sepals, the two lower overlapping for c. their length. Wing-sepals obovate or elliptical. Lateral petals narrowly obovate, shorter than the wing-sepals, almost equal to or slightly longer than the keel, joined in the lower f to the staminal tube and in the lower ^ to the keel. Keel somewhat pouched at the sides. Stamens diadelphous above the middle with 4 sessile anthers on each section. Ovary glabrous; the style flattened, strongly curved and broad in the upper part, the apex scarcely 2-lobed. Fruit usually 7-8 mm long, obovate-cuneate, contracting to a narrow attenuate base. Seeds 2-3 mm long, ovoid to oblong-elliptical, dark-coloured, pubescent, with a coma especially near the apex and a small membranous raphe on the adaxial surface and at the apex. FI.: throughout the year but mostly Oct.-Dec. Distribution: Widespread on the Coast and Tablelands and occasional on the Central and South Western Slopes. Also in eastern parts of central and southern Queensland as well as in Victoria and Tasmania. Often but not invariably in or near the edges of forests, usually on sandy soils (some from rhyolite) and on rocky serpentine hillsides. North Coast: Ml Lindesay, White NS W136023, 10.1921, Constable NSW24336, 11.1952; Murwillumbah, Forsyth NSW 136007, 10.1898; Mt Warning, Rodway 2978, 10.1939, Forsyth NSW 120784, 11.1898 (Isotype of forma estilifolitim Gandoger), Constable 3067, 6.1962; Whian Whian State Forest, Hooglamt & Hayes 8587, 10.1962, Constable NSW 22367, 1.1953; near Tuntable Falls, 5 miles [8 km] NE. of Nimbin, Coveny 4498 & Rodd 9.1972; Night Cap Range, Coveny 4457 & Rodd 9.\972‘, Byron Bay, Boorman NSW 136008, 8.1916; Grafton to Dalmorton, Maiden & Boorman NSW 136017, 11.1903; between CofTs Harbour and Woolgoolga, Priest NSW 136018, 1939; Wild Cattle Creek, Dorrigo State Forest, While 7571, 10.1930; Dorrigo Plateau, Hewitt NSW 136014, 9.1949; South West Rocks, Coveny NSW 136021, 9.1967; near Kcmpsey, Rodway NSW 135999, 10.1929; 3 miles [5 km] N. of Curricabark Creek, Curricabark, Johnson NSW 136003, 10.1953; Watchimbark Creek, 40 miles [64 km] NW. of Gloucester, Blaxell & Coveny 575, 9.1968; Bonny Hills to North Haven, Salasoo 4724, 1.1971; Kendall, Bailey NSW 136001, 8.1913, NSW 136012, 8.1932; Diamond Head, Foster NSW 136006, 1961; Crowdy Bay, Dnfty NSW 136005, 9.1954; [Curricabark?] Barrington district, Hyem NSW 2061, 9.1946; Pacific Palms, S. of Forster, Salasoo 3397, 1.1967; Alum Mt, Bulahdelah (as Bulladeelah), Maiden NSW 136011, 10.1907; Bombah Point, Lake Myall, Constable NSW 19175, 1.1952; Nelson Bay, Lithgow NSW 136002, 12.1964; Weston, Davis NSW 136016, 9.1914; Wallsend, Boorman NSW 136009, 10.1899; Newcastle, Leichhardt NSW 136010. Central Coast: near Putty, Salasoo 2501, 10.1962; 1 mile (1.6 km) E. of Putty, McKee NSW 136049, 10.1952; Kanwal, NE. of Wyong, Johnson NSW 136004, 10.1953; Doyalson to Wyee, Salasoo 2395, 9.1962; Norah Head, Constable NSW 11518, 8.1949; Colo R, Olsen NSW 136043, 10.1966; Ourimbah State Forest, de Beuzeville NSW 136035, 3.1918; Wambcral, Salasoo 3738, 4.1970; Bowens Creek, Bilpin-Mt Irvine road, Constable NSW 16340, 10.1950; Calga, Cross NSW 136054, 8.1945; Canoe Grounds [Canoelands], Hawkesbury R, Blakely & Shiress NSW 136055, 10.1928; Avalon, 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) 5 Ford NSW 136036, 6.1945; Kuringai, near Berowra, Macara NSW 136033, 10.1906; Berowra, Boorman NSW 136040, 10.1899; Kuring-gai Chase, Goode 37, 10.1954; Kuring-gai Chase between Bobbin Head and Mt Colah, Goode 546, 12.1960; Hornsby, Ford NSW 136042, 10.1947, Blakely NSW 136050, 10.1914; Linden, Coveny NSW 136048, 11.1965; Blaxland to Valley Heights, Maiden & Cambage NSW 135972, 11.1904; Glenbrook, Hamilton NSW 136025, 10.1914; Cheltenham, Johnson NSW 136024, 10.1945; St Ives, Constable NSW 5291, 1.1948; Frenchs Forest, Coveny NSW 136056, 9.1965, Tindale NSW 136026, 10.1946; Narrabeen, Waterhouse NSW 136029, 3.1917; Castle Hill, McGillivray 1064, 1.1965; Quarantine, Collie NSW 136034, 9.1889; Port Jackson district, Weber NSW 136062, 11.1880; Port Jackson, Leichhardt NSW 136038; Bondi, Cheel NSW 136053, 8.1898; Long Bav, Johnson NSW 136057, 10.1905; near La Perouse, Dixon NSW 136058, 9.1903; Georges R district, Alkin NSW 136041, 11.1899; Georges R, Staer NSW 136060, 10.1910; Kogarah, Cornfield NSW 136028, 10.1900; Oatley, Cornfield NSW 136047, 10.1886; Botany Bay, Helms NSW 136061, 9.1900; Tabbigai, Cape Solander, Johnson NSW 136064, 10.1945; Kurncll, Botanv Bav, Boorman NSW 136059, 5.1906, NSW 136063, 9.1914, NSW 136039, 7.1921; Captain Cooks Park, Kurnell, Goode 336, 9.1961; Loftus, Cornfield NSW 136051, 1.1895; between Appin and Bulli Lookout, Cross NSW 136027, 10.1932; Buxton, Salasoo 2164, 10.1961; West Bargo, NSW 129971, 9.1895; Nepean Dam, Bargo, Constable 26531, 12.1953; Barrengarry Mtn, Maiden NSW 135991, 9.1905; Woodhill Bluff, Berry-Brogers Creek road. Rodway NSW 135979, 9.1930; Browns Mtn, Cambewarra Range, Rodway NSW 135998, 12.1954, Nowra North, Constable NSW 16291, 12.1950. South Coast: Nowra to Sassafras, Salasoo 3114, 1.1966; Huskisson, Rodway NSW 135997, 11.1916; Bowen Island, Jervis Bay, Rodway NSW 135995, 9.1920; Naval College road, Jervis Bay, Rodway 481, 8.1931; Jervis Bay, Maiden NSW 135982, 7.1899, Rodway NSW 135984, 9.1928, NSW 135996, 9.1915; 2.8 miles [4.5 km] SW. of Jervis Bay, Coveny 3708, 10.1971; Conjola, Heron NSW 135988, 9.1899; west end of The Castle, Currie NSW 135983, 10.1954; Kioloa State Forest c. 10 miles [16 km] W. of Batemans Bay, Schodde 5107, 10.1966; Moruya, Boorman NSW 135975, 11.1911; Bega, Fletcher NSW 135978, 11.1888; near Merimbula, Hoogland 7754, 10.1961; Yambulla, Agst NSW 135987, NSW 135977, 11.1915; Mt Imlay, Boorman NSW 135976, 12.1916; Green Cape, Rodway NSW 135986, 12.1920; Disaster Bay, near Bay Cliffs, Constable NSW 30437, 10.1954; Womboyn, Constable NSW 30436, 10.1954; Womboyne-Nadgee area, Witheford NSW 135990, 9.1953; Nadgce, Scobie 62, 8.1970; Black Head, mouth of Nadgee R, Constable 4389A, 8.1963. Northern Tablelands: Pheasant Creek, Glen Elgin, Boorman NSW 136020, 12.1913; Guyra, McKie NSW 136015, 5.1929; Point Lookout, Si John 24504, 12.1950; Styx R State Forest, Constable NSW 37227, 4.1956; Styx via Hillgrove, Boorman NSW 136022, I. 1907; Big Hill, Kempscy-Armidale road, Davis NSW 136000, 1.1914. Central Tablelands: fire trail between Putty and Rylstone, SE. of Mt Munundilla, Story 7551, 12.1960; Ilford, Constable NSW 129995, 6.1950; Orange district, Wiburd NSW 129989, 12.1936; Wallerawang, Maiden NSW 129990, 11.1899; Hassans Walls, Lithgow, Boorman NSW 129996, 10.1914; Newnes to Eskbank, Hamilton NSW 130000, 11.1914; Clarence Siding, Boorman NSW 129997, II. 1901; Clarence, Boorman NSW 129983, 1.1914; between Mt Irvine and Mt Wilson, Gregson NSW 129985, 11.1897; near Du Faurs Rocks, Mt Wilson, Johnson NSW 129998, 9.1947; Ml Wilson, Gregson NSW 129994, 12.1896, Forster NSW 129982, 10.1926; Mt Tomah, Maiden NSW 129993, 11.1898; between Mt Tomah and Mt York, Rodway NSW 129975, 10.1936; Blackhcath, Althofer 129974, 3.1947, Vickery NSW 129976, 9.1936, Constable NSW 135974, 11.1946; Govetts Leap, Blackheath, Constable 6111, 6132, 9.1965; Blue Mountains, Scarth- Johnson 131, 12.1969; Medlow, Hamilton NSW 135971, 11.1914; Leura, May NSW 129984, 8.1935, Hamilton NSW 129973, 11.1914; Kings Tableland, Constable NSW 53618, 10.1960; Trunkey, Boorman NSW 129999, 11.1918; Jcnolan Caves, Blakely NSW 129981, 129986, 11.1899; Caves Creek, Kanangra Walls, Johnson NSW 129992, 10.1948; Kowmung R, c. 0.5 km below Tuglow Caves, Rodd 2300, 11.1972; Mt Werong, Cambage 3178, 12.1911; South Head to Mt Werong, Johnson & Constable NSW 17684, 10.1951; Hill Top, Burgess B309, 10.1973; Colo, Cheel NSW 135973, 1.1912; Mittagong, Dixon NSW 129972; between Mittagong and Marulan, Pullen 3900, 10.1963; Burrawang, Fletcher NSW 129970, 11.1888; Robertson, Maiden NSW 129977, 11.1905; Belmorc Falls, Robertson, McBarron 2434, 10.1948; near Fitzroy Falls, Rodway NSW 135950, 11.1917; Wingello , Boorman NSW 129980, 12.1913 ,NSW 129979, 12.1921, Blakely, Buckingham & Buckingham NSW 129978, 11.1939. Southern Tablelands: Barbers Creek, Maiden NSW 129987, 1.1898, Rumsey NSW 129988, 10.1898; Goulburn, Lumsden NSW 135992, 11.1906; Nowra road 3 miles [5 km] E. of Nerriga, Adams 1480, 10.1965; Kowen, A.C.T., McKee 8821, 12.1961; Charlies Forest, Boorman NSW 135989, 3.1909: Currockbilly Mtn, Boorman NSW 135993, 3.1909; mountains E. of Braidwood, Betche NSW 135994, 12.1891; summit, Mt Budawang, Rodway 3063, 1.1940; Clyde Mtn, McGillivray 602, 10.1957; Clyde Mtn, bordering Currowan Creek, Hartley 14001, 10.1973; Majors Creek, NSW 135981, 10.1891; Gourock Range 5 km SE. of Captains Flat on Braidwood road, Briggs 3999, 12.1970. Central Western Slopes: Holbrooke Castle, 5 miles [8 km] S. of “Holbrooke”, Whaite 33590, 9.1969; Harvey Range State Forest, Trewilga, Constable NSW 17579, 10.1957; Store Creek, Althofer NSW 129991, c. 5.1946. South Western Slopes: 4 miles [6.5 km] SW. of Carabost, Logan NSW 84027, 12.1966. G 46035H—2^ 6 112 . Palygalaceae (Thompson) This species is very variable in leaf-shape. Although a number of variants have been named, only C. patentifolium F. Muell. (from the Burnett R district, Queensland) is very distinctive. This form has spreading, often reflexed, almost deltoid leaves and is common not only in Queensland but also where the species extends to the western slopes in New South Wales. As similar plants are also found scattered throughout the range of the species elsewhere, with numerous intermediates, it is probable that this appearance is only a response to drier conditions. 2. Comesperma sylvestre Limit, in Milch., Trop. Australia: 342 (1848) ‘sylvestris ’; F. Mueller, Fragm. 1: 49 (1858) ‘ silvestre Benth., FI. Austral. 1: 146 (1863); Tate, Handb. FI. Extralrop. South Australia: 21, 208 (1890); Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales: 36 (1893); Tate, Rep. Horn Sci. Exp. Central Australia 3: 139 (1896); F. M. Bailey, Queensland FI.: 81 (1899); Maiden & Betche, Census New South Wales PI.: 120 (1916); Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 22 (89 4 ): 859 (1927) ‘ silvestre ’; Gardner, Enum. PI. Austral. Occ.: 71 (1930); Beard, W. Austral. PI.: 57 (1965); Beadle, Stud. FI. NE. New South Wales 2: 155 (1973 ).—Bredemeyera sylvestre (Lindl.) Ewart et Davies, FI. N. Territory: 160 (1917) ‘6. sylvestre (Lindl.) Chodat’; van Steenis in Acta Bot. Neerl. 17 (5): 383 (1968). An erect perennial shrub usually 1-3 m in height, single-stemmed or with numerous thick stems arising from a woody stock; sparsely branched with clusters of erect branches in the upper part. Stems terete or occasionally somewhat ridged below the conspicuous nodes, glabrous, smooth or with dense tubercles or with tubercles produced into minute hairs or occasionally pubescent with dense rather spreading hairs. Leaves alternate, usually erect, 8-22 cm long and 2-6 mm wide, broadly to narrowly elliptical, occasionally oblanceolate or ovate-cordate (but not in N.S.W. material), glabrous and rather glaucous, thick but with the midvein visible often on both surfaces, the margins flat or slightly incurved, the apex acute with a straight point or obtuse with a short acuminate point, the petiole short but thick. Flowers purple-pink or white, 4-7 mm long, in terminal racemes often on short branches clustered near the top of the stems; the pedicels about equal in length to the flowers, glabrous; the bracts scarious, ovate to narrow-lanceolate and shed well before the flowers open. Outer sepals free, broad-ovate to almost orbicular, very obtuse, c. \ the length of the wing-sepals, the 2 lower overlapping for c. their length. Wing-sepals obovate. Lateral petals narrowly obovate, shorter than the wing-sepals, c. equal to the keel, joined at the middle to the staminal tube and at the extreme base to the keel. Keel somewhat pouched at the sides. Stamens diadelphous above the middle with 4 sessile anthers on each section. Ovary glabrous, the style flattened with the upper part broad and somewhat curved, the apex shortly 2-lobed. Fruit 7-13 mm long, obovate-cuneate, contracting abruptly to a long-attenuate base. Seeds 2-3 mm long, oblong-elliptical to semi-orbicular, dark-coloured, densely pubescent with a long coma especially from near the apex, the raphe limited to a trace on the adaxial side and at the apex. FI.: Oct.-Jan. Distribution: North Coast ranges, northern part of the Northern Tablelands and North Western Slopes. Often in dry sandy areas, on hillsides or in forests. Also in inland Queensland, Northern Territory and northern Western Australia. North Coast: c. 7 miles [11 km] W. of Drake, at Crooked Creek, Salasoo 4625, 1.1971. Northern Tablelands: between Wilsons Downfall and Boonoo Boonoo, Dunn NSW 129946, 12.1908; Boonoo Boonoo, Boorman NSW 129943, 11.1904; Jennings, Boorman NSW 129948, 10.1901; Torrington district, Althofer NSW 129939, 1951; Torrington, Boorman NSW 129949, 11.1919, Andrews 1817, 12.1907; Mt Lindesay, Nandcwar Mtns, Cambage 2406, 11.1909, Rupp 112 . Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) 7 NSW 129941, 11.1912; Sinclairs Point near Mt Kaputar, Johnson & Constable NSW 129947, II 1954. North Western Slopes: NW. of Coonabarabran, Salasoo 2339, 1.1962; Newell Highway, Buckley NSW 129945, 12.1957; Warrumbungle Ranges, Forsyth NSW 129940, 10.1899; Forked Mountain, E. of Coonabarabran, Boorman NSW 129942, 9.1908. 3. Comesperma rctusum Labill., Nov. Holl. PI. Spec. 2: 22, t. 160 (1806) ‘retusa’ ; Candolle, Prodr. I: 334 (1824) ‘ retusa Steetz in Lehmann, PI. Preiss. 2: 295 (1848); Steetz, Rev. Gen. Comesperma : 5 (1848); J. D. Hooker, FI. Tasmaniae 1 • 32 (1855); F. Mueller, PI. Indig. Colony Victoria 1: 190 (1860-2); Bentham, FI. Austral. 1: 145 (1863); F. M. Bailey, Queensland FI.; 81 (1899); Rodway, Tasmanian FI.; 11 (1903); Maiden & Betche, Census New South Wales PI.: 120 (1916); Curtis, Stud. FI. Tasmania 1: 58 (1956); Cochrane et al., Flowers & PI. Victoria: 164 (1968); Burbidge & Gray, FI. Austral. Cap. Territory: 244 (1970); Beadle, Evans & Carolin, FI. Sydney Region: 170 (1972); Beadle, Stud. FI. NE. New South Wales 2: 154 (1973)' J. H. Willis, Handb. PI. Victoria 2: 343 (1973).— Bredemeyera retusa (Labill.) Ewart el al., Field Nat. Club Census PI. Victoria, ed. 1: 40 (1923) ‘ retusum (Steetz) Chod.’; Ewart, FI. Victoria: 717 (1931) l B. retusum (Steetz) Chod.’; van Steenis in Acta Bot. Neerl. 17: 383 (1968). An erect perennial shrub from a few cm to c. 1.5 m in height with one or several stems arising from the top of a stout aromatic taproot; usually sparsely branched but with clusters of erect branches in the upper part. Stems terete, often pink in colour, glabrous, covered with minute protuberances and with conspicuous swellings subtending the leaves. Leaves alternate, usually erect, 5-15 mm long and 2-3 mm wide, oblong or broader in the upper part, glabrous, flat or slightly keeled with the margins very slightly incurved, the venation inconspicuous. Flowers purple- or lilac-pink, 4-8 mm long in terminal, usually somewhat corymbose, racemes often on short branches clustered near the top of the stems, the pedicels about equal in length to the flowers, glabrous, the bracts scarious, narrow-lanceolate and shed well before the flowers open. Outer sepals free, broadly ovate-oblong to almost orbicular, very obtuse, c. ( as long as the wing-sepals. Wing-sepals obovate. Lateral petals narrowly obovate, shorter than the wing-sepals, about equal to the keel, united at the middle to the staminal tube and in the lower ^ to the keel. Keel somewhat pouched at the sides. Stamens diadelphous above the middle with 4 sessile anthers on each section. Ovary glabrous, the style broad, flattened, and curved below the bilobed apex. Fruit 9-12 mm long, obovate-cuneate, contracting often abruptly to a long-attenuate base. Seeds usually 2 mm long, ovoid to oblong-elliptical, dark- coloured, pubescent with a coma especially from the sides and near the apex, a trace of the raphe visible along the adaxial surface and occasionally extending beyond the apex. FI.: Sept.-Mar. Distribution: Tablelands and a few localities on the North and Central Coast of New South Wales, in permanently wet places, usually above 600 m but occasionally in coastal swamps. Also in southeastern Queensland and widespread in Victoria and Tasmania. North Coast: Bulahdelah (as Bulladelah), Rupp NSW 129861, 12.1923; Port Stephens, Boorman NSW 129881, 9.1911; Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, Davis NSW 129859. Central Coast: Centennial Park, Cheel NSW 129855, 10.1898. Northern Tablelands: Tenterfield to Sandy Flat, Maiden NSW 129867, 12.1898; Barren Mt, Deer Park, Boorman NSW 29877, 11.1913; near Cathedral Rocks close to Round Mtn, 45 miles [73 km] E. of Armidale, Williams 12.1967 (NE); Oaky Creek, c. 40 miles [65 km] E. of Armidale, Wissmann 11.1966 (NE); 7 miles [11 km] W. of Point Lookout, Green 1889, 11.1958 (NE); Guy Fawkes, Boorman NSW 129872, 11.1913; Barrington Tops, Fraser & Vickery NSW 129868, 1.1934, Harrison NSW H9871, 1.1925, Munro NSW 129860, 1.1953, Pullen 3793, 2.1963; near head of Polblue Swamp, Barrington Tops Plateau, Briggs 3170 & Johnson, 3.1970; Polblue Swamp, McDonald NSW 129875, 1.1955; Gloucester Tops, Coveny NSW 129851, 1.1966. Central Tablelands: Mount Victoria, Maiden 8 112 . Polygalaceae ( Thompson) NSW 129863, 11-12.1889; Wentworth Falls, Coveny NSW 129873, 11.1965; Mt Werong, Cambage 3156, 12.1911; Mt Murray, Satasoo NSW 129874, 12.1945; Wingello, Boorman NSW 129854, 11.1899. Southern Tablelands: Charlies Forest, Boorman NSW 129880, 12.1915; Mt Gingera, A.C.T., Moore 2279, 2.1953, Tindale NSW 26654, 1.1954; Brumby Flats, W. slope of Mt Gingera, Hoogland 10020, 1.1965; Buddong Creek, Bago Forest Reserve, de Beuzeville NSW 129876, 1.1917; Bimberi Peak, A.C.T., Cambage 3454, 1.1912; Cooleman Plain, Walker ANU 944; Tumbarumba, Gordon NSW 129853, 1.1899; Porcupine Creek, N. of Yaouk Gap, A.C.T., Darbyshire 67, 12.1960; Tinderry Mountains, Canning B182, 12.1972; Kiandra- Yarrangobilly, Vickery NSW 129865, 1.1940; swamp near Alpine Creek, Whaite NSW 129878, 12.1948; Kiandra district, Belche NSW 129866, 2.1897; Tumut Pond, Althofer NSW 129857, 2.1954; Happy Jacks Plain, Thompson NSW 129852, 1.1958; Dicky Cooper Creek, W. of Gungartan, Giitins 419, 1.1962; Hotel Kosciusko [Diggers Creek], Johnson & Constable NSW 18432, 1.1951; 0.5 km NW. of Diggers Creek Reservoir, Thompson 1470, 1.1972; Mt Kosciusko [district], Reims NSW 129858, 2.1893, Fraser NSW 129862, 2.1940, Harris NSW 129879; Pretty Point, Maiden & Forsyth NSW 129856, 1.1899; Bullrock Mtn, Bduerlen NSW 129869, 3.1890; Thredbo R, Maiden & Forsyth NSW 129864, 1.1899. 4. Coinesperma volubile Labill., Nov. Holl. PI. Spec. 2: 24, t. 163 (1806) ‘volubilis’’\ Candolle, Prodr. 1: 334 (1824); Steetz in PI. Preiss. 2: 303 (1848); Steetz, Rev. Gen. Comesperma ; 12 (1848); J. D. Hooker, FI. Tasmaniae 1: 31 (1855); F. Mueller, PI. Indig. Colony Victoria 1: 191 (1860-2); Bentham, FI. Austral. 1: 144 (1863) in part; F. Mueller, Fragm. 11:1 (1878) in part; Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales: 35 (1893); Chodat in Engler & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 3, 4: 325, 338 (1896); F. M. Bailey, Queensland FI. 80 (1899) excl. C. tortuosum Steetz; Rodway, Tasmanian FI.: II (1903); Maiden & Betche, Census New South Wales PI. 120 (1916); Curtis, Stud. FI. Tasmania 1: 58 (1956); Cochrane et al., Flowers & PI. Victoria: 123 (1968); Burbidge & Gray, FI. Austral. Cap. Territory: 244 (1970); Beadle, Evans & Carolin, FI. Sydney Region: 171 (1972); Beadle, Stud. FI. NE. New South Wales 2: 155 (1973); J. H. Willis, Handb. PI. Victoria 2: 342 (1973).— Breclemeyerci volubile (Labill.) Ewart et al.. Field Nat. Club Census, PI. Victoria, ed. 1: 40 (1923) ‘volubile (Labill.) Chod.’; Ewart, FI. Victoria: 716 (1931) ‘B. volubile (Steetz) Chod.’; van Steenis in Acta Bot. Neerl. 17 (5): 384 (1968). Comesperma gracile Paxt., Mag. Bot. 5: t. 145 (1838). Comesperma volubile var. micranthum Steetz in PI. Preiss. 2: 303 (1848) ‘micranthcC . Comesperma volubile var. album F. M. Bail., Queensland FI.: 80 (1899) ‘ alba .’ A slender often leafless or sparsely leaved perennial, frequently scrambling in dense masses over shrubs 1-2 m in height. Stems twining, irregularly ridged or angled, glabrous, often with minute tubercles along the ridges, very rarely with a few short, appressed, antrorse hairs. Leaves alternate, up to 5 cm in length, linear, elliptical, often tapering towards the acute apex, or rarely ovate, glabrous, thin in texture, usually 1-5 mm wide, tapering at the base to a short petiole, the lower surface paler with the midvein conspicuous, the margins recurved or revolute at the extreme edge; often reduced or deciduous over much of the plant. Flowers purplish blue, blue, mauve, pink or white, 4-8 mm long, in axillary racemes or occasionally terminal on short side-branches; the pedicels shorter than or almost equal in length to the flowers, glabrous or rarely with scattered appressed hairs; the bracts scarious, ovate to lanceolate but so evanescent as to be rarely seen. Outer sepals free, thin, ovate to orbicular, usually obtuse, the 2 lower ones overlapping for much of their length; j—j as long as the wing-sepals. Wing-sepals broadly ovate and usually contracted abruptly below into a claw. Lateral petals spathulate, shorter than the wing-sepals, slightly longer than the keel and joined with it and the staminal tube for c. \ their length. Keel with 2 oblong lateral lobes and joined in the lower j- to the tube. Two vestigial extra petals are occasionally found as deltoid flaps joined 112 . Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) 9 to the outside of the tube a little above the base. Stamens free above the middle. Ovary glabrous, the style flattened and strongly curved or geniculate, the apex 2-lobed. Fruit usually 10—15 mm long, obovate-cuneate, tapering or contracting to a long- attenuate base. Seeds c. 3 mm long, oblong to narrow-elliptical, dark-coloured and strongly rugose, pubescent with a long coma especially from the sides and near the apex, a trace of the raphe visible along the adaxial surface and projecting beyond the seed. FI.: July-Dee. Distribution: Coast and Tablelands of New South Wales, in a variety of habitats from wet and dry sclerophyll forest to sandy coastal heath. Also in southeastern Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania. North Coast: Night Cap Range, Whian Whian State Forest, Coveny 4464 & Rodd 9.1972; Gloucester Bucketts, c. 1 mile [1.6 km] W. of Gloucester, Coveny NSW 129892 , 9.1967, Maiden NSW 129893, 9.1897. Central Coast: near Mt Warrawolong, 11 miles [18 kmj WNW. of Morisset, Story 6696, 10.1959; Patonga Creek, Blakely NSW 129905, 9.1936; Hawkesbury R, Rupp NSW 129906 , 10.1916: Cowan, Anderson & Boorman NSW 129885, 8.1921; Spring Creek, Hornsby, Blakely NSW 129884, 10.1914; Wahroonga, Dixon NSW 129886, 8.1903; Elanora, Mail • NSW 42238, 10.1957; Bilgola Heights, Constable NSW 20502, 9,1952; Newport, Ford NSW 129887, 8.1945; Deep Creek, Narrabeen, Coveny NSW 129891, 10.1966; Frenchs Forest, Coveny NSW 129890, 9.1965; Springsvood, Maiden & Cambage NSW 129903, 11.1904; Flat Rock, Middle Harbour, Helms 63, 9.1900; Mosman (as Mossmans) Bay, NSW 129904, 9.1894; Oatley, Fletcher NSW 129902, 8.1887; Woolwash, Campbelltown, McBarron 8320, 10.1963, 9484, 10.1964; Forest Reserve No. 3, [Upper] Nepean R, Mitchell NSW 129889, 9.1971. South Coast: near Wogamia, Shoalhaven R, Rodway NSW 129913, 7.1928; beach near Naval College, Jervis Bay, Rodway NSW 129907, 10.1923; Quiera, Cole NSW 129912, 10.1945; Red Head, Rodway 3114, 8. 1940; Kioloa State Forest, Evans 2513, 10.1966; Nerrigundah-Belowra Road, Constable NSW 129910, 9.1953; Bermagui, Dunn 128, 8.1917; Mcrimbula-Pambula, Boorman NSW 129911, 8.1915; Narrabarba, Constable NSW 129915, 10.1954; Disaster Bay near Bay Cliffs, Constable NSW 129914, 10.1954; Womboyn-Nadgee area, Witheford NSW 129908, 9.1953; Nadgee, Scobie NSW 129909, 8.1970. Northern Tablelands: Pheasant Mtn, 25 miles [40 km] NE. of Guyra, Wissman 10.1971, 4.1972 (NE); Round Mtn, Ebor, Floyd, Burgess & Williams 9.1972 (Forestry Comm., Coifs Harbour); Daisy Plain, Carrai State Forest, Hayes 10.1959 (Forestry Comm., Coifs Harbour); Toinalla State Forest, Floyd 10.1959 (Forestry Comm., Coffs Harbour). Central Tablelands: Green Gully, Glen Davis, Constable 7212, 10.1966; Mt Wilson, Gregson NSW 129901, 1.1902, 129899, 6.1906, Johnson NSW 129900, 9.1949; Victoria Falls, 3 miles [5 km] ENE. of Mt Victoria, Constable 6123, 9.1965; Megalong Valley, Johnson 178, 9.1945; Katoomba Falls to Leura Falls, Salasoo 2148, 10.1961; Jenolan Caves, Blakely NSW 129898, 10.1899; Yerranderie, Cambage 2302, 10.1909; Colong Causeway- Mt Colong, Olsen 1590, 9.1973; Hill Top, Clteel NSW 129897, 7.1914. Southern Tablelands: Barbers Creek, Ramsey NSW 129896, 9.1898; Blue Range Forest, A.C.T., Gray 5757, 10.1965; Uriarra, A.C.T., McKee 965, 4.1954; Brindabella Range near Blundell, A.C.T., Hoogland 6283, 11.1956; Palerang Range c. 10 miles [16 km] SE. of Hoskinstown, Pullen 3874, 10.1963; about 10 miles [16 km] ESE. of Braidwood, Craven 581, 9.1965; a few miles E. of Braidwood, McGillivrav 596, 10.1957; Sugar-loaf Mtn near Braidwood, Boorman NSW 129895, 9.1915; Clyde Road, Bauerten NSW 129894, 9.1898; Clyde Mtn, Walker ANU 1108, 9.1963. References to this species based on specimens collected outside the four eastern States have been omitted, as 1 have treated the species in a narrow sense. Further study will probably show that material from South and Western Australia falls outside the limits of C. volubile sens. str. Steetz, in Lehm. PI. Preiss. 2: 302 (1848), restricts it to southeastern Australia and describes blue-flowered Western Australia plants as C. ciliatum and C. tortuosum. C. volubile and C. integerrimum appear to approach one another. Most of the specimens which I have seen from South and Western Australia as well as some from Victoria cannot be definitely placed if the strict circumscription of each species is retained (see notes under C. integerrimum). The vestigial petals attached to the outside of the floral/staminal tube appear to be less frequent in the northern part of the range of C. volubile. 10 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) 5. Comespcrnia integerrimum Emil, in Huegel, Enum. PI.: 7 (1837); Steetz in PI. Preiss. 2: 305 (1848); Steetz, Rev. Gen. Comesperma: 15 (1848); Bentham, FI. Austral. 1: 145 (1863) at least for the most part; F. Mueller, Fragm. 11:1 (1878); Chodat in Engler & Prantl, Pfianzenfam. 3, 4: 338 (1896); Gardner, Enum. PL Austral. Occ.: 71 (1930); Blackall & Grieve, Western Austral. Wildfl. 1: 261 (1954)._ Bredemeyera integerrima (Endl.) Steenis in Acta Bot. Neerl. 17: 383 (1968). Comesperma scandens Steud. in PI. Preiss. 1: 211 (1845). A much-branched sparsely-leaved climber. Stems twining, terete, regularly and conspicuously ridged with a short, appressed antrorse pubescence (usually dense but occasionally sparse) between the ridges. Leaves alternate, up to 3 cm in length, usually oblanceolate with an obtuse or less frequently acute apex, glabrous, thick, tapering at the base to a short petiole, the margins flat or somewhat recurved; often reduced or deciduous in the greater part of the plant. Flowers probably greenish yellow (but little information can be obtained from the specimens seen), 5-8 mm long, terminal on short side-branches, the pedicels much shorter than the flowers, with short appressed hairs, the bracts usually broad-lanceolate, the bracteoles narrow-lanceolate, occasionally persisting under the flower but usually all so evanescent as to be rarely seen. Outer sepals free, ciliate on the margin, almost orbicular, obtuse, the 2 lower almost completely overlapping, £ as long as the wing- sepals or slightly longer. Wing-sepals broad-obovate, occasionally "broader than long, clawed at the base. Lateral petals spathulate, shorter than the wing-sepals, longer than the keel, joined with the keel and the staminal tube in the lower Keel pouched with 2 lateral lobes and joined in the lower | to the tube; two small deltoid vestigial petals are joined only by their extreme bases to the outside base of the tube. Stamens free above the middle. Ovary glabrous, the style flattened, strongly curved or geniculate, the upper part broad towards the 2-lobed apex. Fruit usually 2-3 cm long, long-cuneate, tapering uniformly to the base. Seeds c. 15 mm long, sub- cylindrical and tapering to the apex, pale-coloured and scarcely rugose, with a long coma from all parts of the surface but especially from the ends, the raphe absent FI.: Oct. Distribution: Central Western Slopes of New South Wales, in dry sandy soils. Also in inland Western Australia. ,9^™ A , L W ESTERN Slopes: Wyalong, Campbell NSW 129950, 10.1901; Kildary, Baker /Vo Jr / 16541, 10.1917. The flower-colour given by Beard, W. Austral. PL, ed. 2: 77 (1970), extends the colour-range shown in specimens which 1 have examined. As I have not seen his material, I hesitate to assume it is conspecific. The limits of this species are hard to define. I have treated the species here in a narrow sense, as the New South Wales material is well within C. integerrimum sens, str., which differs from C. volubile in several striking seed characters as well as in pubescence, robustness, flower-colour and in having terminal inflorescences and extra, almost free, vestigial petals. I have seen typical C. integerrimum only from Western Australia and inland New South Wales. Flowever, many specimens from Western Australia, South Australia and even Victoria resemble C. integerrimum in some but not all of its characteristic features. Some aberration in Western Australia could be explained by hybridization with C. ciliatum but certainly not all. It seems most likely that climatic changes have led to a breakdown of isolation between C. integerrimum and C. volubile which were formerly separated in distinct ecological 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson) niches, with a resultant spread of intermediate forms along the southern coast of the continent into a newly developed habitat. Further collection and study in that region will be necessary to show whether this is the situation or whether these two species can be defined with wider circumscription; whether one or more other species are present; or whether an east-west and/or north-south cline links C. integerrimum with C. volubile. 6. Comesperma defoliatum F. A/we//., PI. Indig. Colony Victoria 1: 189 (1860-2); Bentham, FI. Austral. 1: 148 (1863); Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales: 36 (1893); F. M. Bailey, Queensland Flora: 82 (1899); Rodway, Tasmanian FI.: II (1903); Maiden & Betche, Census New South Wales PI. 120 (1916); Curtis, Stud. FI. Tasmania 1: 58 (1956); Beadle, Evans & Carolin, FI. Sydney Region: 171 (1972); Beadle, Stud. FI. NE. New South Wales 2: 155 (1973); J. H. Willis, Handb. PI. Victoria 2: 343 (1973).— Bredemeyera defoliata (F. Muell.) Ewart et ah. Field Nat. Club Census PI. Victoria, ed. 1: 42 (1923) ‘ defoliatum (F.v.M.) Chod.’; Ewart, FI. Victoria: 716 (1931) ‘B. defoliatum (F.v.M.) Chod.’; van Steenis in Acta Bot. Neerl. 17: 383 (1968). A slender plant with few or numerous erect leafless stems usually 15-60 cm in height arising from a usually branched woody stock. Stems glabrous, rarely with minute tubercles, irregularly angled and/or ridged with ridges arising below the conspicuous nodes, the side-branches few and erect. Leaves alternate, usually 8 mm long, elliptical, tapering at the base, glabrous, thick with the venation obscure, the apex acute; very rarely seen and then only on the lower part of the plant, usually reduced to linear scales and soon deciduous. Flowers blue or purplish-blue, 3-5 mm long, in terminal racemes, the pedicels glabrous, shorter than the flowers, the bracts scarious, lanceolate to oblanceolate and shed well before the flower opens. Outer sepals free, oblong to obovate-oblong, obtuse, the upper often somewhat pouched at the base, the lower somewhat overlapping, almost as long as the wing-sepals. Wing-sepals obovate, tapering at the base to a very short claw. Lateral petals spathulate, acuminate, shorter than the wing-sepals, longer than the keel, joined up to the middle with the keel and staminal tube. Keel pouched at the sides. Stamens free above the middle. Ovary with a few short hairs, the style rather flattened, very broad and somewhat curved in the upper part with the apex bifurcate. Fruit 7-11 mm long, obovate but contracted to a long narrow base. Seeds 1-3 mm long, ovoid to almost orbicular, dark-coloured, pubescent with a coma mostly from the apical end, the raphe absent. FI.: Nov.-May. Distribution: Northern and Central Tablelands, the North and Central Coast and far north of the South Coast. In wet sandy heath or swamp. Also in southeastern Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania. North Coast: Wardcll, NSW 129957, 11.1893; Evans Head, Coveny 4662, 11.1972; Jerusalem Creek, Associated Minerals Consolidated Limited 410, 2.1974; 2 miles [3 km] S. of Yamba, Williams 11.1970 (NE); Waihou Swamp, Conglomerate State Forest, Floyd 5.1973 (Forestry Comm., Coffs Harbour); beach S. of Seal Rocks, Whaite 3457A, 1.1971; Nelson Bay, Lithgow 105, 2.1965. Central Coast: Cowan to Jerusalem Bay, Salasno 2130, 4.1961; swamp about 1J miles [2 km] N. of Cowan Station, Blakely & Sltiress NSW 129953, 2.1921; Cowan, Blakely NSW 129955, 5.1926; Long Point Swamp, Berowra Creek, Hornsby, Blakely NSW 129954, 3.1916; Narrabeen, Clteel NSW 129951, 12,1913; Botany Bay, Betche NSW 129951, 1.1896; Maddens Plains, Princes Highway, c. 40 miles [65 km] S. of Sydney, Blaxell 107, 12.1968. South Coast: near Pacific City, Jervis Bay, Rodway 340, 354, 2.1931; Bowen Island, Jervis Bay, Rodway NSW 129959, 12.1925; Moonie Creek, Jervis Bay, Rodway NSW 129960, 2.1921, NSW 129961, 12.1923. Northern Tablelands: 4 miles [6.5 km] NE. of Boonoo Boonoo, Williams 11.1966 (NE); Boonoo Boonoo, Boorman NSW 129956, 2.1905; Blather Creek, c. 6 miles [10 km] N. of Torrington, Williams 11.1966 (NE). Central Tablelands: on fire-trail 12 112 . Polygalaceae (Thompson) between Kekeelbon Mtns and Mt Coricudgy, McGillivray 1617, 2.1966; Grose R watershed near Bell-Mt Wilson road, Gregson NSW 129963, 1.1900; Blackheath, Constable NSW 5267, 2.1948, Maiden NSW 129964, 1.1904; Leura, Hamilton NSW 129965, 12.1902, Salman NSW 129968, 1.1909; Wentworth Falls, Fletcher NSW 129967, 12.1888; Kings Tableland, Wentworth Falls, Hamilton NSW 129966; Hill Top, Cheel NSW 129962, 2.1912; Mittagong, Dixon NSW 7. Comesperma scoparium Drummond in Journ. Bot. (Hook.) 2: 369 (1840); Steetz in Lehm., PI. Preiss. 2: 309 (1848); Steetz, Rev. Gen. Comesperma ; 19 (1848); F. Mueller, Fragm. 1: 148 (1859); F. Mueller, PI. Indig. Colony Victoria I: 186 (1860-2); Bentham, FI. Austral. I: 143 (1863); Tate, Handb. FI. Extratrop. South Australia; 208 (1890); Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales: 35 (1893); Chodat in Engler & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 3, 4: 324, 338 (1896); Maiden & Betche, Census New South Wales PI.: 120 (1916); J. M. Black, FI. South Australia 2: 346 (1924); Gardner, Enum. PI. Austral. Occ.: 71 (1930); J. M. Black, FI. South Australia, [ed. 2] 2: 504 (1948); Blackal! & Grieve, Western Austral. Wildfl. 1: 260 (1954); Beard. W. Austral. PI., ed. 2: 77 (1970); J. H. Willis, Handb. PI. Victoria 2: 343 (1973).— Bredemeyera scoparia (Drummond) Ewart et al.. Field Nat. Club Census PI. Victoria, ed. 1: 40 (1923) ‘ scoparium (Steetz) Chod.’; Ewart, FI. Victoria: 716 (1931) "B. scoparium (Steetz) Chod.’; van Steenis in Acta Bot. Neerl. 17: 383 (1968). An erect perennial shrub usually c. 50 cm in height with a number of branches arising from the top of a tap-root and much branched, the side-branches erect, stiff and leafless. Stems terete but deeply sulcate with the ridges rounded, covered with dense minute tubercles and glabrous except for a patch of dense short hairs above each of the swollen nodes. Leaves alternate, reduced to long-tapering deltoid scales, usually closely appressed at least at the base. Flowers deep blue, c. 5 mm long, solitary in the axils of the leaf-scales, the pedicels to 2 mm long, glabrous, the bracts several, on the base of the pedicels, imbricate, concave, ovate or almost orbicular, obtuse, scarious but with a conspicuous thickening below the apex, persistent. Outer sepals free, obovate-oblong or occasionally ovate-oblong, broadly obtuse with a thick callus below the concave apex, a little mo're than l as long as the wing-sepals, the 2 lower somewhat overlapping. Wing-sepals very broadly obovate, tapering at the base to a short claw. Lateral petals narrowly oblanceolate, about equal in length to the wing-sepals, longer than the keel, joined near the base with the staminal tube. Keel pouched at the sides and narrowed at the base, the lower ^joined to the staminal tube. Stamens free above the middle. Ovary glabrous, the style flattened, almost straight, widening and curving below the broad shortly 2-Iobed apex. Fruit 4-7 mm long, broad-cuneate to obovate with a thick, textured rim. Seeds 3 mm long, oblong, pale, with a short fine pubescence but no coma, the raphe a trace along the adaxial surface but extending beyond the seed into a pubescent membrane almost as long as the seed. FI.: July-Sept. Distribution: In dry scrub or woodland. In Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and probably in far southwestern New South Wales. Bentham FI. Austral. 1: 143 (1863), cites a specimen 'N.S. Wales. Desert of the Darling, near Fitzgerald Ranges. F Mueller’. The specimen. Hattah, Victoria, Henshall NSW 116540, 7.1966, from close to the border indicates the possibility that the species may still be found on the New South Wales side of the border. 8. Comesperma sphaerocarpum Steetz in Lehm., PI. Preiss. 2: 314 (1848) Steetz, Rev. Gen. Comesperma : 24 (1848); Bentham, FI. Austral. 1: 143 (1863) F. Mueller, Fragm. 1: 145 (1859); Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales 112. Polygalaceae (Thompson) 13 35 (1893); F. M. Bailey, Queensland FL: 80 (1899); Maiden & Betche, Census New South Wales PL: 120 (1916); Beadle, Evans & Carolin, FI. Sydney Region: 171 (1972); Beadle, Stud. FI. NE. New South Wales 2: 155 (1973).— Bredemeyera sphaerocarpa (Steetz) Steenis in Acta Bot. Need. 17: 383 (1968). An inconspicuous plant to c. 20 cm in height with a few or occasionally many slender, straggling and usually leafless stems arising from a woody and often branched stock. Stems rather irregularly angular with some ridges arising below conspicuous nodes; glabrous or occasionally with scattered stiff hairs or elongated tubercles, the side-branches few and erect. Leaves alternate, usually < 8 mm in length, oblanceolate to obovate, tapering at the base, glabrous, thick with the venation obscure, the apex shortly acute; seen only rarely and then only on the lower part of the stems, usually all reduced to deltoid or linear-lanceolate scales. Flowers bright- or purplish blue, 3-8 mm long, in lax terminal racemes; the pedicels shorter than the flowers, glabrous or with short erect hairs; the bracts scarious, ovate to lanceolate and shed well before the flower opens. Outer sepals free, ovate or obovate-oblong, usually obtuse, occasionally with a short acuminate tip, § as long as the wing-sepals, the upper somewhat pouched at the base, the 2 lower more or less overlapping. Wing-sepals very broadly obovate, tapering at the base. Lateral petals oblanceolate, acuminate, with hairs near the tip, somewhat shorter than the wing-sepals but longer than the keel, joined up to the middle with the keel and the staminal tube. Keel pouched at the sides. Stamens free above the middle. Ovary pubescent, the style broad, flattened, straight or curved below the truncate and slightly oblique apex. Fruit c. 4 mm long, broadly ovate-cuneate to almost orbicular. Seeds 2.5 mm long, broadly ovoid, pale-coloured, densely pubescent with longer hairs towards the end but no real coma, the raphe a trace along the ventral edge of the seed and extending beyond to form a short membranous pubescent appendage. FL: Oct.-May. Distribution: Widespread, especially on the Coast and Tablelands, in dry sclerophyll heath or forest, but not frequently collected. Also in southeastern Queensland. North Coast: Smoky Cape, Betche NSYV 129932, 2.1882; 6 miles [10 km] N. of Crescent Head, Smith 4.1971 (NE); Bulahdelah (as Bulladclah), Rupp NSW 129933, 11.1923. Central Coast: Boorai ridge above Colo R gorge, Coveny 9147 & Hind 2.1977; { mile [0.8 km] S. of Wisemans Ferry, Briggs NSW 129922, 10.1965; Agnes Banks, near Richmond, Bryant 233, 2.1977; Coasters Retreat, Pittwater. Thompson 2204, 12.1974; Long Point, Berowra Creek, Blakelv <5 Shiress NSW 129921, 3.1916; Hornsby, NSW 129920, 11.1914: Belrose, Johnson NSW' 129919, 12.1954; Epping, Johnson 954, 4.1947; Cabramatta, Fletcher NSW 129918, 11,1889; Hillview, W. of Casula, Covenv NSW 129917, 10.1965; 3.2 km SW. of Casula, Coveny 5345, 11.1973: Douglas Park, Briggs NSW 129916, 11.1965; 19.2 km NE. of Robertson, Coveny 850, 2.1969. South Coast: Nowra, Rupp NSW 129934, 1.1917, Rodway NSW 129936, 4.1917; near Pacific City, Jervis Bay, Rodway NSW 129937, 2.1931; Tomerong-Sassafras road, near Nowra road junction, Rodd NSW 129938, 12.1968; H miles [2.5 km] SW. of Tianjara Falls, Pigeon House Range, Briggs NSW 129935, 12.1961; Cape Dromedary, Thompson 2080, 5.1974. Northern Tablelands: Tenlerficld, Betche NSW 129931, 10.1886. Central Tablelands: Lawson. Maiden & Cambage NSW 129925, 11.. 1904; Mittagong to Bullio, Clieel NSW 129926, 11.1919; Mittagong, Dixon NSW 129927, 1.1900; Hume Highway, Penrose State Forest, Thompson NSW 129928, 1.1958; Wingello, Boorman NSW 129929, 12.1899. Southern Tablelands: Mt Currockbilly, Rodway NSW 129923, 1.1940; Mt Budawang, Rodway NSW 129924, 1.1940. North Western Slopes: Near Warialda, Rupp NSW 129930, 12.1905. 2. POLYGALA L. Sp. PL 2: 702 (1753); Gen. PL, ed. 5: 315 (1754). [A latinization of the Greek: polys = much; gala = milk. A reference to the belief that the eating of some members of the genus caused animals to produce more milk]. 14 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) Flowers in terminal or lateral or rarely axillary spikes or racemes occasionally contracted into dense heads, rarely paniculate, each subtended by a small, often deciduous bract and with 2 deciduous or persistent bracteoles. Sepals 5, unequal, deciduous or persistent, the two inner sepals (the wing-sepals) large and often petal¬ like. Petals 3; the 2 upper (lateral) ones adnate at the base to the staminal tube; the lower (the keel) boat-shaped, clawed, often auricled above the claw, entire or with a dorsal crest, the crest consisting of 2 variously divided or entire appendages. Stamens 8, monadelphous, the filaments entirely joined or free for part of their length, the anthers basifixed, 2-celled and opening by a common terminal pore. A disc is present in some species. Ovary 2-locular, laterally compressed; the style usually curved, often hooked, variously dilated at the apex, with 1 or 2 apical and/or lateral stigmas. Ovules 2, 1 in each loculus, anatropous, pendulous from the top of the central axis. Fruit a compressed capsule, loculicidally dehiscent at the margins, often with marginal wing. Seeds usually dark-coloured and bearing hairs; at the base bearing a cap-like entire or lobed caruncle and occasionally at the apex a variously shaped appendage. Annual or perennial herbs, shrubs or small trees; occasionally spiny, often with a woody stock, the roots often aromatic. Leaves simple, usually alternate or occasionally opposite or verticillate, rarely tending to be deciduous. A large genus widespread especially in tropical areas. Approximately 15 species extend to northern Australia but only 2 reach New South Wales. Two African species grown as garden shrubs are naturalized to a limited extent. Herbs, sometimes woody at the base and often prostrate or ascending. 2. Leaves usually ovate or narrowly ovate, with conspicuous reticulate venation. Fruit with a broad wing ... P.japonica 1. 2* Leaves usually obovate, narrowly obovate or narrowly elliptical, the venation inconspicuous. Fruit with a very narrow wing . P. iinariifoiia 2. Erect shrubs. 3. 3.* Flowers in long terminal racemes. 5 mm broad . Flowers in short terminal racemes, in width . Leaves narrow, rarely more than . P. virgata 3. Leaves broad, often 1 cm or more . P. myrtifolia 4. ..o,,, 1 - P - japonica Houtt., Handl. 10: t. 62, fig. I (1779); Candolle, Prodr. 1: 324 ® ent ' 1am >. FI- Austral. 1: 138 (1863); Chodat, Monogr. Polygalac. 2: 353 (!893); F. M. Bailey, Queensland FI.: 78 (1899); Adema in Blumea 14: 263 (1966) where urther references and synonymy are given; Adema in Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland 80: 126 (1969); J. H. Willis, Handb. PI. Victoria 2: 342 (1973). Polygala veronicea F. Muell. in Trans. & Proc. Viet. Inst. 1: 117 (1855); Chodat in Engler & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 3, 4: 336 (1896) ‘ veronicaefoiia ’; Maiden & Betche New South Wales Plants: 120 (1916); Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 22 (89 4 ): 855 (1927); Burbidge & Gray, FI. Austral. Cap. Territory: 244, t. 237 (1970); Beadle, Evans & Carolin, FI. Sydney Region: 170 (1972); Beadle, Stud. FI. NE. New South Wales 2: 154 (1973). A prostrate or ascending perennial 10-20 cm in height with a woody rlnzomatous stock. Stems terete and bearing antrorse curved or curled hairs. eaves ovate to elliptical, usually broader near the base of the plant, variable in size on the one plant but usually 0.5-1.5 cm in length, the apex acute, the margins slightly 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) 15 recurved, the venation conspicuously reticulate, the upper surface usually glabrous except for a few minute hairs near the margins, the lower surface with curved hairs on the midrib, the petiole short but distinct. Flowers mauve to purple, c. 5 mm long in few-flowered lateral racemes, the lower part of the peduncle being apparently fused to the stem. Outer sepals lanceolate, acute. Wing-sepals petal-like, obovate to broadly elliptical. Keel ± equal to the somewhat oblong pubescent-based lateral petals and bearing 2 much-branched appendages. Stamens 8, almost sessile on the staminal tube. Style somewhat curved, narrow towards the apex and with 2 stigmas, one apical and one lateral. Capsule 4x5 mm, broadly obcordate, glabrous, the margin with a broad wing. Seeds c. 2 mm long, ovoid, with dense hairs, the caruncle small, with 3 lobes c. | as long as the seed. FI.: throughout the year but mostly Oct.-Dec. Distribution: China, Japan, Malesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and eastern Australia. On the Coast and Tablelands of New South Wales and extending as far south as northeastern Victoria. Usually in grassland. North Coast: Mountains on Cangai road, Upper Copmanhurst, Rupp NSW 116348 7.1910; Purgatory Creek, 7 miles [11 km] NW. of Ramornie, Blakely A Shiress NS W 116347, 7 1922- Port Macquarie, Betche NSW 116352; near Gloucester, Heron NSW 116353, 10.1909. Central Coast: Hawkesburv Agricultural College, Richmond ,—NSW 116356, 10.1906; Narellan, McBarron 14536 , 10.1967; Camden, McBarron ‘ 1395 >ljf09,\0.\965; The Oaks, Me Barron 13812, 2.1967. South Coast: Huskisson, Rodway NSW 116357, 10.1920; Con Creek lJcndethera Caves Reserve, Whaite 3242, 4.1969. Northern Tablelands: NW. edge of the park, Gibraltar Range National Park, Williams 11.1967 (NE); Mt Lindsay, Rapp NS W 116350, 10.1912; Green Camp, Mt Kaputar National Park, Coveny 8756 A Roy \ . 1976 ; University Grounds, Armidale. Hayward 11.1955 (NE); Guy Fawkes, Boorman NSW 116351, 12.1909; Tia R, Maiden NSW 116349, 11.1897; Gloucester Tops, Coveny NSW 116355, 1.1966. Southern Tablelands: McLachlan R, Maiden NSW 116358, 12.1896. This species has been included in P. sibirica L. by F. Mueller, Fragm. 11:4 (1878), Syst. Census Austral. PI.: 8 (1882), Key Viet. PI. 1: 134 (1887-1888), Second Census: 14 (1889), Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales: 35 (1893) and Ewart, FI. Victoria: 715 (1931). 2. P. linariifolia Willd., Sp. PI. 3: 877 (1803); Candolle, Prodr. 1: 326 (1824) ‘linearifolia ’; Adema in Blumea 14: 274 (1966) where further references and synonymy are given; Adema in Proc. Roy. Soc. Qld. 80: 126 (1969). Polygala chinensis L. var. linariifolia (Willd.) Chodat, Monogr. Polygalac. 2: 386 (1893) ‘linearifolia 1 . An erect or prostrate or ascending annual or perennial herb with a woody stock in older plants. Stems terete and bearing antrorse curved or curled hairs and occasionally also long straight hairs. Leaves very variable in shape and size, obovate to narrowly oblanceolate or linear, 3-4.5 cm long and to 10 mm broad, the apex obtuse and mucronate, the margins flat or more frequently recurved, the lateral venation inconspicuous, the surfaces glabrous or with scattered hairs especially on the margins and midrib, the petiole short but distinct. Flowers purplish blue or yellow, 3-5 mm long in short to very long lateral racemes, the lower peduncle being apparently fused to the stem. Outer sepals ovate, acuminate and pubescent. Wing- sepals not petal-like, curved-obovate, mucronate, pubescent. Keel ± equal to or longer than the broadly obovate lateral petals and bearing 2 rather small, divided and ultimately forked appendages. Stamens 8, the filaments free for c. ^ of their length. Style curved, broad; towards the apex very broad, horseshoe-shaped and hooked with the stigma inside the hook. Capsule broadly oblong, the apex 16 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) symmetrically or slightly asymmetrically lobed, the margin with a narrow ciliate wing. Seeds 2-3 mm long, obovoid, black, with dense, long, white hairs, the caruncle large and the 3 short lobes usually much less than ' as lone as the seed FI.: Sept.-Feb. Distribution: Southeastern Asia from China to the Philippines and New Guinea. Widespread in northern Australia but reaching New South Wales only on the Northwestern Slopes and the Far Western Plains. Usually in grassland. _ Northwestern Slopes: Warialda, Rupp NSW 116338, 9.1905, NSW 116339, 2.1907. Far Western Plains: 4 km W. of Weebah Gate, Qld-N.S.W. border, Pickard 3282, 11.1976. The name P. chinensis L. was used for N.S.W. material by Moore & Betche, Handb. FI. New South Wales: 35 (1893), and Maiden & Betche, Census N.S.W. Plants: 120 (1916). P. chinensis auctt. inch Adema non L. is P. arvensis Willd., see Burtt in Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 32: 403 (1973). Adema in Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland 80: 126 (1969) gives the characters distinguishing P. linariifolia from this species. „„ 3 - * p - 'irgata Thunb., Prod. PI. Cap. 2: 120 (1800); Candolle, Prodr. 1: 332 (1824); Harvey & Sonder, FI. Capcnsis 1: 85 (1860) where further synonymy is given; Chodat, Monogr. Polygalac. 2: 403 (1893); Exell and Wild, Flora Zambesiaca 1:318 (1960) where Exell gives further references and some discussion of varieties; Beadle, Evans & Carolin, FI. Sydney Region: 170 (1972). A virgate often almost leafless shrub to 3 m in height. Stems green with line curled hairs or glabrous, often leafless and covered with the swollen nodes of deciduous leaves. Leaves minute to 9 cm long, l-5(-20) mm broad, linear to narrowly elliptical, tapering at the base, glabrous, acute to emarginate, the margins usually recurved, the midrib distinct but the lateral veins inconspicuous. Flowers purple to pale lilac, c. 1 cm long on slender pedicels in long terminal racemes. Outer sepals broadly elliptical. Wing-sepals petal-like, from very broadly elliptical to suborbicular. Keel much longer than the spathulate lateral petals and bearing a crest of 2 much- and finely-branched appendages 4-5 mm long. Stamens 8, the filaments free lor more than \ their length. Style strongly curved with hairs inside the curve, the stigma short and broad. Capsule 10 x 8 mm, obliquely obovate, glabrous, the margin with a wing c. 1 mm broad. Seeds 0.5-1.5 mm long, cylindrical and with a short pubescence, the large caruncle lacking lobes. FI.: mostly July-Nov. Native m S Afdca TI ° N: Natura,ized on the North and Central Coast, from escaped garden plants. T^ a ,?, a , rde ^ s ’ Vickcry NSW 116790 ' 5 - 1976 - Central Coast: Pymble, U6 k 319 h r' 3 ’ u X °" NS ,' V U6318 ' 8J904: Middlc Harbour, Betche NSW NSW 116171 7 ions Harbour, Botany, Alessmer NSW 116320, 10.1944; Kurnell, Boorman 9 \969- p° 8 -’ r i 8g i NS i W Jl 6 P 2 l 9I969: ncar 0,1 Refinery, Kurnell, Co very 2129 iLwrfu’ic Peninsula i mile [0.8 km] NW. of Potter Point, Briggs NSW 116323, 9.1965 -miles [3 km] S. of Kurnell, Mail- NSW / 16324, 8.1960; Cronulla, Eames NSW 116325 11.1953 Razorback, Camden, Ryder NSW 116326, 4.1945; Heathcote, Coveny 7735 & Hind 1.1916. „ , ?■ p * myrtifolia L., Sp. PI. 703 (1753); Ker in Bot. Reg.: t. 669 (1823); Candolle, Prodr. 1: 322 (1824); Harvey & Sonder, FI. Capensis 1: 83 (1860) where further synonymy is given; Chodat, Monogr. Polygalac. 2: 421 (1893); Ewart, FI. Victoria: 715 (1931); J. M. Black, FI. South Australia [ed. 2] 2: 503 (1948); Curtis, 12 . Polygalaceae ( Thompson ) 17 Stud. FI. Tasmania i: 60 (1956); Beadle, Evans & Carolin, FI. Sydney Region: 170 (1972); Beadle, Stud. FI. NE. New South Wales 2: 154 (1973); J. H. Willis, Handb. PI. Victoria 2: 342 (1973). P. myrtifolia L. var granclifJora Hook, in Bot. Mag. n.s. 10: t. 3616 (1837). [P. grandiflora Lodd., Bot. Cab.: t. 1227 (1827) nomen nudum non Walt. (1788).] A large densely leaved shrub, occasionally tree-like. Stems with fine curled hairs or glabrous. Leaves (1-) 2-3 (-5) cm long, broadly elliptical, shortly petiolate, the blade somewhat tapering in the lower part, obtuse, glabrous at maturity the margins flat, the venation inconspicuous. Flowers purple to pale lilac, 1-2 cm long, in short terminal racemes, the peduncles several mm long. Outer sepals broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate. Wing-sepals petal-like, broadly obliquely ovate. Keel usually much longer than the very variable, usually very acuminate, lateral petals and bearin'* a crest of two much-branched appendages 4-6 mm long. Stamens 8, the filaments free for a little less than \ their length. Style curved, usually glabrous, the stigma short and broad. Capsule 10 x 8 mm, almost orbicular, glabrous, the margin with a wing c. 1 mm broad. Seeds c. 4 mm long, broadly ovoid to cylindrical, with scattered, short hairs, the caruncle large with conspicuous lobes. FI.: through¬ out the year but mostly Sept.-Oct. Distribution: Naturalized on the southern part of the North Coast and on the Central Coast probably originally from escaped garden plants but now abundant in some places. Native to Africa. Also naturalized in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. North Coast: Port Macquarie, Breakwell NSW 116337, 1.1914; Miners Beach, Port Macquarie, Thompson 1796, 5.1973; { mile [0.8 km] S. of Port Macquarie, Johnson NSW 116328, 10.1953; Tahlce, Port Stephens, Constable NSW 45270, 10.1956; , 1 omar , e ®’ p °rtStephens, 12.1954 (NE); Nelsons Bay, Boorman NSW 116329, S.19U, Ltthgow MSB ' 116330, 2.196 Central Coast- Tascott, Scott 6.1958 (NE); Bayview-Mona Vale, Cross NSW 116331, 2.1935 Gahtoru Morris NS W 116332, 10.1927; Wahroonga Salasoo 697 Johnson NSW 116333, 9.1946; Beecroft towards Red Hill, Johnson NSW 116334, 9.1950, Sea forth Constable NSW 11441, 11.1949; Rose Bay, Helms NSW 116335, 4.1900; E. side of Government House, Sydney, Cornfield NSW 97352, 7 . 1902 ; P^de W /75 949I0; Sans Souc. near Georges R, Goode 349, 9.1961; Kogarah, Cornfield NSW 116336, 10.1900. 3. *MURALTIA DC. Prodr. 1: 335 (1824); nom. conserv.. Taxon 19: 816 (1970). [After Johann von Muralt, Swiss Botanist]. Flowers small, sessile or shortly stalked, axillary, solitary or 2-together, subtended by a bract and 2 bracteoles. Sepals 5, unequal but subequal in many species, oblong, spathulate or lanceolate, obtuse to acute or even pungent, the 2 lateral sepals larger than the others. Petals 3, united at the base and adnate to the staminal tube, the lateral petals oblong, linear, ovate or spathulate, free or cohering by their edges, the lower petal hooded to form a keel and bearing 2 large petaloid appendages below the apex, rarely with 1 appendage. Stamens usually 7, monadelphous, the filaments united into a split tube which is usually inflated near the middle and attached to the petals, the anthers 1-locular and dehiscing by longitudinal slits. Ovary 2-locular, glabrous or pubescent, laterally compressed and usually with 4 horn-like appendages at the apex, the style curved near the apex, usually truncate and 2-lobed, the stigma usually lateral. Ovules 2, 1 in each loculus, anatropous and pendulous from the top of the central axis. Fruit a compressed, 18 112. Polygalaceae ( Thompson) often hispid, membranous capsule loculicidally dehiscent at the margins, usually with 4 horn-like appendages but occasionally without appendages. Seeds usually hispid with a cap-like caruncle at the base. Shrubs or undershrubs. Leaves usually clustered in short axillary shoots, ovate, lanceolate or almost linear, often pungent-pointed, rarely scattered, often with the apex curved, glabrous or pubescent, the subtending leaf of the short shoot often differing somewhat from the rest. An African genus of about 115 species with most species in South Africa. One species is naturalized to a limited extent in Australia. * M. heisteria (L.) DC., Prodr. 1: 335 (1824): J. M. Black, FI. South Australia [ed. 2] 2: 505 (1948); Levyns in Adamson & Salter, FI. Cape Peninsula- 547 (1950); Levyns in J. S. African Bot., Suppl. 2: 212 (1954); Beadle, Evans & Carohn, FI. Sydney Region: 171 (1972); J. H. Willis, Handb. PI. Victoria 2: 344 (1973) where other references are cited —Polygala heisteria L., Sp. PI. 2: 704 (1753). A stiff, erect or divaricate shrub, less rigid when growing in shade, usually 0.2-1 m in height, the stems stout, terete and densely pubescent and bearing contracted shoots which give the foliage a tufted appearance. Leaves clustered, those subtending thetuft c. 5-12 mm long, linear- or narrowly deltoid-subulate, keeled, somewhat recurved, rigidly pungent-pointed, often with hairs on the margin, broadest at the base, those of the axillary shoot similar but slightly narrowed at the base. Flowers 7-12 mm long, solitary or 2-together, sessile or almost so in the leaf-clusters. Sepals 5, almost equal in length, lanceolate, 5 mm long, persistent, the margins finely ciliolate. Petals 3, twice as long as the sepals, the lateral petals spathulate, obtuse, joined for c. their length, paler and longer than the clawed, usually purple, occasionally white, keel. Stamens 7, the anthers opening by longitudinal slits. Style widening near the apex and truncate, the stigma lateral and sessile. Capsule minutely pubescent, ovate, about as long as the sepals, with 4 long horn-like appendages at the summit. Seeds with minute fine hairs. FI.: Aug.-Oct. Distribution : Naturalized in coastal eastern suburbs of Sydney. Also naturalized in Victoria and South Australia. Native to South Africa. Cbn^AlCoast: Bondi, Boorman NSW 116449 , 9.1898; near Bronte, Waverley, Burnell Kn Bronte Beach ,—NSW 116450, 1886; Bronte, Boorman NSW 116447, 10.1913; behind Bronte beach, Coveny 7768, 8.1976. Levyns in J. S. African Bot., Suppl. 2: 212 (1954) gives further synonymy and a discussion with illustrations of the variability of the species. 90 Capparidaceae 141 Rhizopboraceae 91 Rescdaceae 142 Myrtaceae 92 Droseraceae 143 Melastomataceae 93 Crassulaceae 144 Onagraccae 94 Escalloniaceae 145 Haloragaceae 95 Pittosporaceae 146 Araliaceae 96 Cunoniaceae 147 Umbclliferae 97 Davidsoniaceae 148 Alangiaceae 98 Rosaceae 149 Ericaceae 99 Mimosaceae 150 Epacridaceae 100 Caesalpiniaceae 151 Myrsinaceae 101 Papilionaceae, Part 1 152 Primulaceae 102 Geraniaceae 153 Plumbaginaceae 103 Oxalidaceae 154 Sapotaceae 104 Linaceae 155 Ebenaceae 105 Erythroxylaceae 156 Symplocaceae 106 Zygophyllaceae 157 Oleaceae 107 Rutaceae 158 Loganiaceae 108 Simaroubaceae 159 Gentianaceae 109 Burseraceae 160 Menyanthaceae 110 Meliaceae 161 Apocynaceae 111 Tremandraceae 162 Asclepiadaceae 112 Polygalaceae 163 Convolvulaceae 113 Euphorbiaceae Callitrichaceae 164 Polemoniaceae 114 165 Hydrophyllaceae 115 Anacardiaceae 166 Boraginaceae 116 Aquifoliaceae 167 Verbenaceae 117 Celastraceae 168 Avicenniaceae 118 Siphonodontaceae 169 Labiatae 119 Hippocrateaccae 170 Solanaceae 120 Stackhousiaceae 171 Scrophulariaceae 121 Icacinaceae 172 Selaginaceae 122 Sapindaceae 173 Bignoniaceae 123 Akaniaceae 174 Pedaliaceae 124 Rhamnaceae 175 Martyniaceae 125 Vitaccae 176 Orobanchaceae 126 Elaeocarpaceae 177 Gesneriaceae 127 Tiliaceae 178 Lentibulariaceae 128 Malvaceae 179 Acanthaceae 129 Stcrculiaceae 180 Myoporaceae 130 Dilleniaceae 181 Plantaginaceae 131 Eucryphiaceae 182 Rubiaceae 132 Hypcricaceae 183 Caprifoliaceae 133 Elatinaceae 184 Dipsacaceao 134 Frankeniaceae 185 Cucurbitaceae 135 Violaceae 186 Campanulaceae 136 Flacourtiaceae, with Supplement 187 Lobeliaceae 137 Passifloraceae 188 Goodeniaceae 138 Cactaceae 189 Brunoniaceae 139 Thymelaeaceae 190 Stylidiaceae 140 Lythraceae PTER1DOPHYTA 191 Compositae 192 Lycopodiaceae 206 Adiantaceae 193 Selaginellaceae 207 Vittariaceae 194 Isoetaceae 208 Davalliaceae 195 Psilotaceae 209 Grammitidaceae 196 Ophioglossaceae 210 Polypodiaceae 197 Marattiaceae 211 Aspidiaceae 198 Osmundaceae 212 Athyriaceae 199 Schizaeaceae 213 Thelypteridaceae 200 Gleicheniaceae 214 Aspleniaceae 201 Hymenophyllaceae 215 Blechnaceae 202 Cyatheaceae 216 Marsileaceae 203 Dcnnstaedtiaceae 217 Azoltaceae 204 205 Lindsaeaceae Pteridaceae 218 Salviniaceae