Page:The Botanical Magazine, Volume 4 (1791).djvu/4



MASC. Cal. 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida. Stam. 5. 10. plura.

The radical leaves of plants usually differ in shape from those of the stalk, in some plants remarkably so; the Lepidium perfoliatum figured in the Flora Austriaca of Professor is a striking instance of this dissimilarity: the Lathyrus Aphaca, a British plant, figured in the Flora Lond. is still more such, as large entire leaf-like stipulæ grow in pairs on the stalk, instead of leaves, while the true leaves next the root, visible when the plant first comes up from feed, are few in number, and those pinnated. The present plant no less admirably illustrates the above remark, the leaves which first appear on the seedling plants being pinnated, as is represented in the small figure on the plate, while those which afterwards come forth grow in whorls. We have observed the same disposition to produce dissimilar leaves in several other species of Mimosa, which have arisen from Botany-Bay seeds, lately introduced.

This singular species, on the authority of Mr., is a native of New South Wales, and was introduced to the royal garden at Kew by Sir Author:Joseph Banks, Bart. We first saw it in flower, and have since seen it with ripe seed-pods, at Mr. 's, Kennington.

It is properly a green-house plant, and propagated only by seeds, which are to be sown on a gentle hot-bed.

It is some years in arriving at its flowering state.