The Scientific Notebooks of German Orchidologist Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Kränzlin

Flora of Australia. 135

production of hybrids, some of which in time obtain the to the production of hybrids, some of which in time obtain the fixity of species. The same applies to many genera of less extended scope. The present case of the occurrence of a natural hybrid in the genus Pterostylis (Orchidaceae) is, so far as I am aware, only the second instance recorded for that genus in Australia. The plants were found by Mr. J. R. Tovey at Mentone, Victoria, 1907, growing among patches of Pterostylis concinna and of P. reflexa, var. intermedia. Externally they resemble the latter plant, except that the basal rosette of leaves persists in some cases until flowering. The labellum, however, instead of having an entire obtusely-pointed tip, is broader and faintly but distinctly bifid at its extremity, in this respect, being exactly intermediate between the two forms. Some specimens show signs of reversion to one or the other parent. Bentham gives the scape of P. concinna as rarely above 1 inch. It is usually 3 to 5 inches long, and may bear 1, 2 or even 3 bracts, the lower ones always empty. The wings of the column are marked in white, green and purple, but the intensity, especially of the latter coloration, varies. The possibility of hybridisation must be borne in mind in future studies of this genus, and this explanation may apply to some of the species already described. In Fitzgerald's Australian Orchids mention is made of a supposed hybrid between P. curta, R.Br., and P. pedunculata, R.Br.

PULTENAEA STRICTA, Sims. In Bot. Mag., 1588 (1813). (Leguminosae).

Synonyms: P. MAIDENI, F.M. Reader, in Vict. Nat., xxii., 158 (1905); P. LARGIFLORENS, F. v. M. in Benth., Fl. Austr., ii, 134 (1864); P. GUNNII, Benth., in Ann. der Wien. Mus., ii 82 (1839).

As a result of a close investigation of the numerous forms of these highly variable and closely related "species," it can only be concluded that we are dealing with forms of one large, extremely pleomorphic species. The original description of Pultenaea stricta in the Botanical Magazine, 1813, page 1588, was made from a plant flowering in England, and naturally refers to that specimen only, Sims being unaware of the varied forms assumed by the species in its native habitat.

Flora of Australia. 137

Variety GUNNII (P. GUNNII, Benth.). In Ann. der Wien. Mus., ii., 82 (1839).

This has narrower, usually spreading stipules, the inner large bracts are usually absent, but in all the forms, including the type, the bracts usually fall as flowering advances, and some forms of our Gunnii, have much larger bracts than others. In the typical forms the leaves are usually broader at the base and taper more or less towards a usually pointed apex. In the typical A. stricta the leaves are usually broader near the the apex then suddenly contracting to a distinct point. The difference is more constant on the larger stem leaves.

Variety LARGIFLORENS (P. LARGIFLORENS), F. v. M. In Benth. Fl. Austr., ii., 134 (1864).

The flowers may be either axillary or lateral, or in terminal clusters, the bracteoles are usually inserted higher up on the calyx tube, and the two upper calyx teeth are less or not at all falcate, and the fruits usually smaller.

Variety INCURVATA, new var. Locality, Frankston, Coll. J. W. Audas, 1907

This has the leaves with hard, minutely-pointed, recurved tips, giving the plant a peculiar harsh feel when drawn through the fingers. In some respects it is intermediate between the variety Maideni and the type form.

Pultenaea retusa, Sm., comes near to some forms of P. stricta, but the calyx teeth are of more equal shape and length, and the calyx is hardly bilabiate. The usually straight upper calyx teeth of variety largiflorens show an approach to this species.

It may seem a bold course to reduce these three well-known species, but the numerous connecting links leave no other course possible, and there is no evidence as to the existence of hybridization between the four species. Variety largiflorens, shows the largest, variety Gunnii a lesser, and variety Maideni the least divergence from the type, but the same reasons that could be urged for their maintenance as distinct species could be used to found at least 12 species out of the numerous connecting forms. It may be taken as a general rule that in all the large genera the 4