Notes on a new Tasmanian plant of theorder Burmanniaceae

Abstract

In the early part of November 1890 my attention was directed, by a letter from Mr. L. Rodway, of Hobart, to his discovery of a remarkable plant, parasitic on the extreme roots of Aster argophyllus, and from his notes it was evident that this plant would at all events be new for the records of the indigenous vegetation of Tasmania. But as the plant was of fugitive growth and deliquescent structure, no specimens were in the first instance secured or preserved.one more specimen being procured, well developed, and another bearing an unexpanded flower. Much to my astonishment I perceived that this long hidden floral treasure was a species of Thismia, of which genus (in its widest sense) as yet some few species are known from southern continental Asia, Ceylon, the Sunda-Islands, New Guinea and tropical South America. On careful dissection the Tasmanian congener proved very distinct from all others.Includes detailled description of plant- THISMIA Rodwayi.(Bagnisia Rodwayi, F. v.M., m.s.c.) along with plates.Soon after this was written, several more specin1ens of the Thismia were found by Mr. Rodway and kindly transmitted.to me; they came from the lower portion of the eastern slope of Mount Wellington.