Lomatia
(from loma, lomatos, an edge; referring to the winged edge of the seeds). SYN. Tricondylus. ORD. Proteaceae. This genus comprises about nine species of greenhouse or conservatory shrubs or trees, six of which inhabit Australia, and the rest are natives of Chili. Flowers hermaphrodite, in pedicellate pairs, in terminal or axillary, simple or slightly-branched racemes; perianth irregular. Leaves alternate or rarely opposite, toothed or pinnately divided, very variable on the same plant. Lomatias thrive in a compost of loam, peat, and sand, in equal proportions. Plenty of drainage is most essential. Propagated by cuttings of well-ripened shoots, placed in gentle heat, under a bell glass. The undermentioned are very elegant foliage plants:
L. ferruginea (rusty).* l. very dark green on the upper side, bipinnatifid; pinnae somewhat ovate, trifid at the points; petiole and back of the leaf clothed with a short tomentum. h. 10ft. Chili, 1851. A handsome plant, of graceful habit.
L. ilicifolia (Holly-leaved). fl., racemes long and loose, simple or slightly branched. l. petiolate, ovate, oblong, or lanceolate, irregularly prickly-toothed or lobed. h. 6ft. Australia. An erect branching shrub, growing sometimes into a small tree. (B. M. 4023.) L. silaifolia (Silaus-leaved).* fl. white, in long, erect racemes. l. bright green above, bipinnatifid, smooth; pinnae lanceolate, irregularly cut, acute; under surface slightly glaucous, the reticulated veins prominent. h. 2ft. New South Wales, 1792. A very desirable species, having a spreading habit. (B. M. 1272.) L. tinctoria (dyer's). fl., racemes terminal, or in the upper axils, pedunculate, loose, 4in. to 8in. long. l. pinnate, bipinnate, or rarely undivided; segments linear, obtuse, entire or lobed. h. 2ft. Australia. A small shrub. (B. M. 4110.)