Calyx quinquedentatus, utrinque appendiculatus. Corolla papilionacea, alis vexillo brevioribus, Legumen uniloculare, dispermum.
Cup five-toothed, with a hanging prop on each side. Blossom butterfly-shaped, the wings shorter than the standard. A one-celled pod, two-seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Pultenæa, foliis iliciformibus, undulatis, contortis, rigidis, acutis: floribus minii colore, axillaribus, racemosis. Caulis humilis.
Pultenæa, with holly-shaped leaves, waved, twisted, harsh, and sharp-pointed. Flowers minium-coloured, growing from the insertion of the leaves in longish bunches. Stem low.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The cup, with its appendages.
2. The standard of the blossom.
3. One of the wings of the same.
4. The two leaves which form the keel.
5. The chives magnified.
6. The pointal, natural size.
7. The same magnified.
8. A ripe seed-pod.
9. The same spread open.
10. A ripe seed.
This lively little Dwarf Pultenæa we have not as yet seen any where but in the conservatory of G. Hibbert, Esq. where, contrasted with many large magnificent plants, its minute and diminutive form made a perfectly unique appearance. When we first observed it, its height did not exceed an inch and a half. Our figure represents the whole plant, which for six months was in progressive constant bloom, and after flowering ripened its seeds freely; an evident proof of the plant being in a state of perfection. It is now three months since the plant perfected its seeds, during which period we have not perceived the least increase in its size. But, notwithstanding this apparent torpidity, it is now exhibiting the buds of its future blossoms. It has been imagined by some to be the Chorizema of Billardiere, a new plant found by that gentleman in New South Wales whilst in search of the unfortunate La Perouse; but, upon comparing it with the figure in that work, we do not find a sufficient resemblance to induce us to regard it as the same plant.[Pg 5]
