Australian Plants in India

Abstract

IN NATURE, vol. xxiii. p. 370, some remarks are made (with reference to Mr. Wallace's observations in “Island Life”) regarding the apparent inability of Australian plants to become naturalised in the northern hemisphere. It may therefore be interesting to you and to Mr. Wallace to learn of some striking exceptions to this rule in the case of Australian plants which have been introduced on the Nilgiri plateau in Southern India, at elevations ranging from about 5500 to nearly 8000 feet above sea-level. Acacias and Eucalypti in particular have found a congenial home in this region, and visitors from Australia who have seen them say that they appear even more vigorous than in their native soil. Hundreds of acres of Eucalyptus Globulus and of Acacia melanoxylon and A. dealbata have been planted by Government as firewood reserves, and the trees have grown up splendidly. The only drawback to the success of the experiment has been that the Acacia melanoxylon has been greatly injured by Loranthaceous parasites. In fact this species will apparently in course of time be exterminated by these indigenous pests. Besides Eucalyptus Globulus the following species of the genus have also been introduced, and thrive well:—E. sideroxylon, E. obliqua, E. fissilis, E. rostrata, E. viminalis, E. amygdalina, and E. perfoliata. In addition to the two species of Acacia already mentioned, the following have also been added to the list of healthy growing exotics on the Nilgiris, viz. A. pycnantha, A. salicina, A. longifolia, A. decurrens, A. cultnformis, A. elata, and other, might also be enumerated. As regards other Australian plants on these hills we have Hakea, Banksia, Myoporum, Kunzea, Tristania, Pittosporum, Beaufortia, &c. In short there is a very considerable Australian flora flourishing on the “Blue Mountains” of Madras, and so extensively have the trees been planted out about the principal stations that they have given quite a new character to the scenery. Some of the acacias have a considerable resemblance in shape and colour to the Scotch fir, and this likeness has, to some visitors, added a fresh charm to the beauties of the scenery.