Manual of the New Zealand Flora/Gentianeæ

by Thomas Frederick Cheeseman

Order L. GENTIANEÆ.

Annual or perennial herbs, rarely shrubs, usually glabrous and bitter. Leaves opposite, rarely alternate or whorled, nearly always simple and entire; stipules wanting. Flowers regular, hermaphrodite, solitary or cymose. Calyx inferior, 4–5-lobed or -partite, lobes imbricate. Corolla gamopetalous, hypogynous, 4–5-lobed or -partite, lobes twisted to the right (valvate in Liparophyllum). Stamens 4–5, inserted on the throat or tube of the corolla and alternate with its lobes; filaments filiform or dilated at the base; anthers 2-celled, introrse. Ovary superior, 1-celled, or 2-celled by the meeting of 2 intruded parietal placentas; style single, short or long; stigma entire or 2-lobed or 2-lamellate; ovules numerous in each cell. Fruit a 1- or 2-celled capsule with septicidal dehiscence, rarely fleshy or indehiscent. Seeds numerous, small; albumen copious, fleshy; embryo minute.

A large and very natural order, found nearly all over the world, but most abundant in the mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Genera about 50; species estimated at 500, almost without exception possessing bitter and tonic properties. The yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) produces gentian-root, one of the earliest-known medicines, and still frequently used. Other species of Gentiana and of the allied genera Erythrea, Chlora, Frasera, Sabbatia, &c., have very similar qualities. Of the 3 genera found in New Zealand, Gentiana has the range of the whole order; Sebæa occurs in Australia, eastern Asia, and South Africa; while Liparophyllum is confined to Tasmania and New Zealand.

* Leaves opposite. Corolla-lobes contorted in bud.
Flowers small. Corolla cylindric; lobes spreading. Ovary 2-celled. Style deciduous	1. Sebæa.
Flowers large. Corolla campanulate or rotate. Ovary 1-celled. Style persistent	2. Gentiana.
** Leaves alternate or tufted. Corolla-lobes induplicate-valvate.
Small herb with linear tufted leaves. Fruit fleshy	3. Liparophyllum.

1. SEBÆA, R. Br.

Erect glabrous annual herbs. Leaves small, opposite, sessile. Flowers small, yellow, in terminal dichotomous cymes. Calyx 4–5-partite; segments often keeled or winged. Corolla-tube cylindric; lobes 4–5, spreading, contorted in the bud. Stamens 4–5, affixed to the throat or tube of the corolla; filaments short; anthers oblong, introrse, straight or recurved at the tips. Ovary completely 2-celled, placentas large, adnate to the septum; style filiform; stigma clavate or capitate. Capsule globose or ovoid, septicidally 2-valved. Seeds numerous, minute; testa reticulated.

A genus comprising about 20 species, found in tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, the Himalayas, Australia, and New Zealand. The single New Zealand species is also Australian.

1. S. ovata, R. Br. Prodr. 452.—A simple or sparingly branched annual herb 4–8 in. high; stems 4-angled. Leaves few, in distant pairs, sessile, ¼–½ in. long, broadly ovate or orbicular-ovate, obtuse or subacute. Flowers small, ¼ in. long, pale-yellow, in a terminal dichotomous cyme, with a flower in each axil. Calyx-segments 5, ovate-lanceolate, acute, keeled. Corolla with a long straight tube and 5 short lobes which are twisted after flowering. Anthers linear-oblong, with a gland at the tip. Style short. Capsule oblong.—Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 179; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 191; Benth. Fl. Austral. iv. 371. S. gracilis, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 400; Raoul, Choix, 44.

North Island: Bogs at Mangamuka, Hokianga, R. Cunningham; Hawke's Bay, Colenso! Hamilton! Tryon! South Island: Canterbury—Near Christchurch, Armstrong; Port Cooper, Lyall; Lake Ellesmere and other localities on the Canterbury Plains, Kirk! Otago—Buchanan! Apparently a rare and local plant in New Zealand, but common in many parts of Australia.

2. GENTIANA, Linn.

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves opposite. Flowers axillary and terminal, solitary or cymose, usually conspicuous. Calyx tubular or cup-shaped, 5- or rarely 4-lobed. Corolla subrotate or campanulateor tubular or funnel-shaped; lobes 5–4, in species not found in New Zealand often with folds between the lobes. Stamens 5–4, inserted on the corolla-tube, included; anthers oblong or ovate. Ovary 1-celled, with 2 parietal placentas; style short or almost wanting; stigmas 2, persistent, recurved; ovules numerous. Capsule stalked or sessile, ellipsoid to narrow-oblong, 2-valved to the base. Seeds small, globose or oblong.

A large and beautiful genus, probably including not far from 250 well-ascertained species. It is most abundant in the temperate and alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere, extends along the chain of the Andes throughout South America, is sparingly found in Australia and Tasmania, and is plentiful in New Zealand, except in the northern half of the North Island. The species are in all countries highly variable and difficult of discrimination, but nowhere more so than in New Zealand, where they are peculiarly unstable, presenting a bewildering multitude of closely allied forms, to arrange which systematically is a most perplexing task. The late Baron Mueller solved all difficulties by uniting the whole of the Australian and New Zealand species, together with several from South America, under Forster's G. saxosa; but this extreme view has not received the sanction of any other botanist of repute, and is entirely repudiated by New Zealand workers. Since the publication of the Handbook the only attempt that has been made to deal with the New Zealand forms as a whole is Mr. Kirk's "Revision" (Transactions N.Z. Inst. xxvii. 330), in which 10 species are admitted. In the following arrangement I have increased this number to 16, in several cases unwillingly, but there is really little choice between giving the rank of species to a considerable number of closely allied forms or of reducing the whole of them to two or three comprehensive aggregates. In the latter case it would be necessary to distinguish the forms as varieties, which is practically the same arrangement under a different name. Owing to their extreme variability, the student will find it difficult to identify the species until he has collected a large series of specimens from widely separated localities, and has thus become acquainted with the range and trend of variation. I have to acknowledge the valued aid afforded by Mr. N. E. Brown, who has kindly compared many of ray specimens with those at Kew and in the British Museum Herbarium.

A. Annual, dwarf, 1–3 in. high. Flowers solitary at the tips of the branches. Calyx-lobes broadly ovate.
Stems simple or sparingly branched. Leaves mostly cauline, ⅙–⅓ in. long. Flowers ⅓ in. diam.	1. G. filipes.
B. Perennial, dwarf, 1–4 in. high. Flowers solitary, terminating naked scapes. Calyx-lobes linear-subulate.
Stems densely tufted. Leaves all radical, narrow-linear, ⅓–¾ in. Flowers ½ in. diam.	2. G. lineata.
C. Annual, slender, 3–14 in. high. Leaves mostly cauline. Flowers ⅓–½ in. diam. Calyx-lobes linear-subulate.
Stems weak, sparingly branched. Leaves oblong-spathulate, thin	3. G. Grisebachii.
D. Perennial, rarely annual, erect. Radical leaves usually rosulate, crowded; cauline few, in distant pairs, sessile. Flowers large, ¾ in. diam. or more, in terminal cymes or umbels, rarely solitary.
Annual. Flowering stems 6–12 in., sometimes with decumbent branches from the base. Radical leaves ½–1¼ in., ovate or broadly oblong, membranous. Flowers rather small, in involucrate umbels	4. G. chathamica.
Usually perennial. Flowering stems single or more rarely branched from the base, stout, erect, 6–20 in. Leaves yellow-green when dry; radical 1–4 in., linear- or oblong-spathulate; cauline 1–2 distant pairs, linear-oblong. Calyx short	5. G. corymbifera.
Perennial. Flowering stems usually single, very slender, 6–20 in. Leaves black when dry; radical ½–1 in., ovate-lanceolate; cauline 2–5 remote pairs	6. G. Townsoni.
Flowering stems usually single, often tall and stout, 10–24 in. Radical leaves ¾–1½ in., obovate-spathulate; cauline broadly ovate, often cordate at the base	7. G. montana.
Flowering stems one or several, often decumbent below, 5–20 in. Radical leaves 1–3 in., oblong-spathulate, cauline 1–5 opposite pairs. Flowers in lax corymbose cymes or umbels	8. G. patella.
Flowering stems several, short. 1–6 in. Radical leaves ⅓–1½ in., spathulate or linear-spathulate. Flowers in 2–6-flowered cymes or solitary	9. G. bellidifolia.
Flowering stems excessively branched from the base, often forming rounded masses 2–6 in. diam. Radical leaves 1–3 in., oblong- or obovate-spatiiulate. Flowers in dense corymbose cymes	10. G. divisa.
E. Annual, erect. Radical leaves numerous, rosulate, obovate-spathulate; cauline few, petiolate. Flowers in 3–5-flowered involucrate umbels.
Flowering stems several, 4–10 in. Flowers small, ⅓–½ in. diam. Calyx equalling the corolla or nearly so	11. G. Spenceri.
F. Prostrate or decumbent or suberect, leafy. Leaves spathulate; cauline numerous, petiolate. Flowers in few-flowered cymes or clustered at the ends of the branches.
Perennial, prostrate at the base. Leaves ¾–1¾ in., linear-spathulate, long-petioled. Calyx much shorter than the corolla; lobes recurved at the tip	12. G. saxosa.
Perennial, prostrate at the base, 4–14 in. Leaves ½–1½ in., obovate-spathulate, fleshy, shining. Calyx almost equalling the corolla; lobes not recurved	13. G. cerina.
Annual, ascending or erect, 1–4 in. Leaves ⅓–1 in., linear-oblong. Calyx almost equalling the corolla	14. G. concinna.
G. Stout, erect, 3–10 in. high, fastigiately branched, densely leafy. Flowers small, ⅓ in. long, almost hidden by the cauline leaves and bracts.
Annual. Radical leaves 1–2 in., oblong or oblong-spathulate	15. G. antarctica.
Perennial. Radical leaves ¾–1¼ in., lingulate or linear-spathulate	16. G. antipoda.

1. G. filipes, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 536.—A small annual herb 1–3 in. high; stems slender, erect, simple or branched from the base, sparingly leafy. Leaves mostly cauline, few, small, ⅙–⅓ in. long, oblong- or obovate-spathulate, obtuse or subacute, sessile or the lower ones narrowed into short flat petioles. Flowers solitary, terminating the branches, large for the size of the plant, ⅓. in diam., white. Calyx broad, tube ⅛ in. long; lobes ⅕ in., broadly ovate, acute. Corolla subrotate, divided about ½-way down; lobes ovate, subacute. Stamens more than ½ as long as the corolla; anthers oblong. Ovary linear-obovoid.

South Island: Nelson—Slopes of Mount Arthur, 4000–5000 ft., T.F.C. January.

2. G. lineata, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 334, t. 27.—A small densely tufted perennial herb 2–4 in. high, often forming a compact sward; rootstock branched above. Leaves all radical or crowded on very short branches, erect, ½–¾ in. long, 1/25–1/15 in. broad, linear or narrow linear-spathul ate, acute or obtuse, gradually narrowed into a slender flat petiole, sheathing at the base. Scapes 1–3 in. long, slender, wiry, erect, naked or with 1 or 2 pairs of linear leaves at the very base. Flower solitary, ½–⅔ in. long. Calyx-tube 1/10 in. long; lobes 3/10 in., linear-subulate, tapering to an acute or almost acuminate tip. Corolla narrow-campanuiate, cut down ⅔ of the way to the base into 5 ovate acute lobes. Stamens ⅔ as long as the corolla.

South Island: Otago—Crest of the Longwood Range, Kirk! Blue Mountains, Petrie! Stewart Island: Exact locality not stated, Petrie! Sea-level to 3500 ft. January–March.

A curious little plant, easily recognised by the peculiar habit, very narrow leaves, and naked scapes bearing a rather large solitary flower.

3. G. Griselbachii, Hook. f. in Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 636.—A slender much or sparingly branched annual herb; root weak, often filiform; stems branching from the base, very slender, decumbent or subei-ect, 3–14 in. long, rarely more. Lower leaves narrowed into slender petioles as long or longer than the blade, ½–1 in. long, spathulate or oblong-spathulate, rather thin and membranous, obtuse; cauline usually smaller, remote, sessile or shortly petiolate, oblong or ovate-oblong, obtuse or subacute. Flowers few or many, terminal and solitary at the tips of the branches, rather small, ⅓–⅔ in. long, white. Calyx divided ¾-way down or more, often somewhat angled at the base; lobes linear or linear-subulate, acuminate, midrib distinct. Corolla narrow-campanuiate, divided more than ½-way down; lobes narrow-ovate or oblong, acute. Stamens about two-thirds the length of the corolla. Ovary linear-oblong, often shortly stipitate.—G. montana, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 178; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 190 (not of Forst.).

Var. novæ-zealandiæ.—Smaller and more slender, 1–5 in. high. Leaves ¼–½ in. long, oblong- or ovate-spathulate. Flowers smaller. G. novæ-zealandiæ, Armstr. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. iv. (1872) 290.

North Island: Base of Tongariro, Bidwill; Ruapehu, H. Hill! Kaimanawa Mountains, Tryon! Ruahine Range, Colenso! Tryon! Mount Egmont, Petrie! Tararua Mountains, Buchanan! South Island, Stewart Island: In various localities from Nelson southwards, but often local. Sea-level to 3500 ft. December–February.

This was reduced to Forster's G. montana by Sir J. D. Hooker; but Mr. N. E. Brown, who has recently done me the service of examining Forster's types preserved in the British Museum and at Kew, informs me that it is quite distinct, and in no way resembles G. montana. It may be recognised by the usually much-branched slender and wiry sparingly leafy stems, small rather thin leaves, small flowers terminal and solitary on the branches, and linear-subulate calyx-lobes.

4. G. chathamica, Cheesem. n. sp.—Annual, 6–12 in. high; main stem stout or slender, erect, with or without several shorter and weaker branches springing from the base and usually decumbent below. Radical leaves variable in size, ½–1¼ in. long, narrowed into short petioles or almost sessile, ovate-spathulate or oblong-spathulate to broadly oblong, obtuse, rather thin; cauline 1 or 2 pairs, ovate or oblong, sessile with a broad often almost cordate base. Flowers small, ⅓–½ in. long, white, sometimes vemed with pink, arranged in several 3–12-flowered umbels terminating the stem and its branches, each umbel with an involucre of 3–5 whorled bracts; pedicels usually longer than the bracts. Calyx about three-quarters the length of the corolla, divided about threequarters way down; lobes linear-oblong, obtuse. Corolla narrowcampanulate, divided two-thirds way down; lobes oblong or oblong-obovate. rounded at the tip. Ovary linear-oblong, sessile.—G. pleurogynoides var. umbellata. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 335.

Chatham Islands: Abundant in wet places. Travers! Miss Seddon! Cox and Cockayne!

I consider this to be a very distinct species, to be recognised without any difficulty by the peculiar habit, small and broad thin leaves, and small umbellate flowers, with a deeply divided calyx and corolla. A specimen collected by Mr. Buchanan at the Lindis Pass, Otago, and another gathered by Mr. H. B. Kirk on D'Urville Island may beiong to the same species, but they are far more copiously branched and have much longer leaves, and are best held over until more complete material is obtained.

5. G. corymbifera, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 336.—Usually perennial, but often dying after flowering. Root stout, long and tapering. Stems simple or rarely branched from the base, stout, erect, terete, 6–20 in. high. Radical leaves numerous, rosulate, 1–4 in. long, ¼–¾ in. broad, narrow oblong-spathulate or lanceolate-spathulate, obtuse or acute, narrowed into a short or long petiole, blade often channelled above, 1–3-nerved, coriaceous, rather thick and fleshy when fresh. Cauline leaves one or two pairs, seldom more, ¾–2 in. long, linear-lanceolate or linearoblong, sessile. Flowers large, ½–¾ in. diam., white, in large compact terminal umbels or cymes 2–6 in. diam. or more; pedicels slender. Calyx short, often less than one-half the length of the corolla, campanulate, divided from ⅓ to ½ way down, rarely more; lobes lanceolate-deltoid, acute or acuminate. Corolla divided about two-thirds way down; lobes broadly oblong, rounded at the tip. Ovary stipitate.—G. saxosa var. y, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 191. G. pleurogynoides var. rigida. Kirk. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 335.

South Island: Mountain districts from Nelson to Otago, abundant. 1000–4000 ft. January–March.

A very handsome plant, in its ordinary state well distinguished by the stout usually simple and almost naked stems, long and narrow crowded rosulate radical leaves, and dense cymes or umbels of large white flowers, the calyx of which is broad and short, with lanceolate-deltoid acute lobes. Mr. Brown informs me that it corresponds with the G. saxosa var. y of the Handbook, and I suspect that it also includes a part of the G. pleurogynoides of the same work. At any rate, it is the plant which New Zealand botanists have been accustomed to call G. pleurogynoides. The true G. pleurogynoides was founded on Tasmanian specimens, and has not yet been satisfactorily matched with any New Zealand plant.

6. G. Townsoni, Cheesem. n. sp.—Perennial; root slender, woody, often branched at the top. Flowering stems usually single, rarely 2 or 3 from the root or branched from the base, erect, slender, wiry, 6–20 in. high. Leaves almost black when dry; radical very numerous, crowded at the base of the stem, spreading or ascending, small for the size of the plant, ½–1½ in. long, ⅙–⅓ in, broad, ovate-lanceolate or trowel-shaped to linear-lanceolate, narrowed into a rather slender petiole, coriaceous or almost fleshy, subacute or obtuse. Cauline leaves in 2–5 remote pairs, ascending, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, sessile, subacute. Flowers white, large, ¾ in. diam. or more, in 5–12-flowered terminal cymes or umbels; pedicels slender; bracts usually whorled. Calyx about half the length of the corolla, cut about three-quarters way down; lobes lanceolate, acute. Corolla deeply divided; lobes broadly oblong, rounded at the tip.—G. saxosa var. pleurogynoides, Hook, f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 178, in part. G. pleurogynoides, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 190, in part (not of Griseb.).

South Island: Nelson—Bidwill (n. 67 in Herb. Kew, fide N. E. Brown); coast ranges near Westport, Mount Frederic, Mount Rochfort, Mount Buckland, &c., Townson! Sounds of the south-west coast of Otago, Lyall (fide N. E. Brown). 1000–4000 ft. January–March.

A very beautiful plant, easily recognised by the tall slender strict stems, small uniform crowded leaves, which are almost black when dry, remote ascending cauline leaves, and rather dense umbels of large flowers. I have seen no specimens but Mr. Townson's, from which the above description is drawn up; but Mr. Brown informs me that specimens collected by Bidwill and Lyall are in the Kew Herbarium, and that together with another form with long leaves it makes up the principal part of the G. pleurogynoides of the Handbook (but not of Grisebach). This long-leaved plant Mr. Brown is inclined to unite with G. Townsoni, but for the present I have placed it in my G. patula.

7. G. montana, Forst. Prodr. n. 133.—Perennial; rootstock stout and woody, often branched at the top. Flowering stems one or several, simple, terete, very tall and stout, 10–24 in. high. Radical leaves usually very numerous, densely crowded, spreading, ¾–1½ in. long, ⅓–¾ in. broad, broadly obovate-spathulate, rounded at the tip or subacute, gradually narrowed into a broad flat petiole, 3–5-nerved, coriaceous, rather thick and fleshy when fresh. Cauline leaves in 2–6 opposite pairs, sessile, broadly ovate or oblong, 3–5-nerved or in large specimens 7-nerved, acute or subacute, often cordate at the base. Flowers very large, white, often ¾–1 in. diam., in broad many-flowered umbels or cymes 2–4 in. across; pedicels long, slender; bracts broad, usually whorled. Calyx from one-half to nearly two-thirds the length of the corolla, cut three-quarters way down; lobes lanceolate, acute. Corolla deeply divided; lobes broadly oblong or obovate, rounded at the tip.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 203; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 399 (but not of Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 178, nor of Handb. N.Z. Fl. 190).

Var. stolonifera.—Much more slender, 8–16 in. high; stem with long creeping stolons at the base. Radical leaves 1–3 in. long, oblong- or elliptical-spathulate, rather thin; petiole more slender, as long as the blade. Flowers fewer, ½–¾ in. diam., white with purple streaks.

South Island: Nelson—Mount Frederic, Mount Rochfort, Mount Buckland, and other peaks on the coast ranges near Westport, abundant, W. Townson! Otago—Dusky Sound, Forster, Anderson, Lyall. 2000–4000 ft. January–March.

At the time of the publication of the Flora and Handbook there was no authentic specimen of G. montana at Kew, and Forster's original diagnosis is so short and scanty that the position of the species was quite conjectural. Hooker applied the name to the slender annual plant with linear-subulate calyx-lobes originally described by him in the "Icones Plantarum" as G. Grisebachii, and for many years this determination was acquiesced in by New Zealand botanists. But a set of Forster's plants now exists at Kew, and another in the British Museum Herbarium. Mr. N. E. Brown, who has critically examined for me the New Zealand Gentians preserved in both collections, informs me that Forster's types of G. montana represent an altogether different plant to G. Grisebachii, but that they agree with specimens collected in Dusky Sound by Anderson during Cook's third voyage, and subsequently in the same locality by Lyall. I am indebted to Mr. Brown for tracings of Forster's two specimens, which appear to be the only ones extant in England, and also of three of Lyall's. Forster's are far from good; but Lyall's correspond so closely with a plant collected on the coast ranges near Westport by Townson that I can hardly doubt their being identical, although the Westport specimens are rather larger and stouter. Both agree in the numerous crowded obovate-spathulate radical leaves, and the short and broad cauline leaves, which are sessile and cordate at the base, and the inflorescence is practically the same. And both agree fairly well with the description given in A. Richard's "Flore de la Nouvelle Zélande," which is professedly taken from Forster's manuscripts. Probably the species will be found in suitable localities along the wnole of the western coast, from the Karamea River and Westport to Dusky Sound.

8. G. patula, Cheesem. n. sp.—Usually perennial; root stout or slender. Stems one or several from the root, often decumbent at the base, erect above, simple or branched, 5–20 in. high. Radical leaves usually numerous, 1–3 in long, oblong-spathulate or lanceolate-spathulate, rarely broader and ovate-spathulate, acute or obtuse, coriaceous or slightly membranous. Cauline leaves in 1–5 opposite pairs, oblong or linear-oblong or lanceolate, sessile. Flowers large, ¾–1 in. diam., white, in few- or many-flowered terminal umbels or corymbose cymes. Calyx divided nearly three-quarters way down; lobes linear-oblong, acute or obtuse. Corolla deeply divided; lobes oblong or broadly oblong, rounded at the tip.—G. saxosa var. b, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 191. G. bellidifolia var. patula, Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 336.

North Island: Tararua Range, Townson! South Island: Abundant in mountain districts throughout. 1000–4000 ft. January–March.

I have much hesitation in advancing this as a distinct species. What may be regarded as the typical state has a stout fusiform root often shortly branched at the top, each branch bearing a crown of oblong-spathulate radical leaves and a flowering stem 6–18 in. high. Dwarf specimens are undistinguishable from G. bellidifolia; but usually the stems are much taller, giving the plant quite a different appearance, and the flowers are much more numerous. Other states approach G. montana, G. corymbifera, and G. Townsoni; and small copiously branched forms appear to pass into G. divisa.

9. G. bellidifolia, Hook. f. in Hook. Ic. Plant. i. 635.—Perennial; variable in size and habit, the typical form with a stout fusiform root crowned with numerous short densely compacted stems, the flowering ones few or many, 1–6 in. high. Radical leaves numerous, crowded, rosulate, ½–1½ in. long, spathulate or linear-spathulate, obtuse, narrowed into a short petiole, coriaceous or fleshy, nerves usually indistinct. Cauline leaves few, distant, linear-oblong to linear-obovate, obtuse, sessile, often recurved. Flowers large, white, ⅔–¾ in. diam. or even more, terminal, solitary or in 2–6-flowered cymes. Calyx one-half the length of the corolla or shorter; lobes linear-oblong to elliptic-ovate, subacute. Corolla divided three-quarters way down; lobes obovate-oblong, rounded at the tip. Ovary shortly stipitate.—Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 336. G. saxosa var. a, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 191 (not of Forst.).

North and South Islands: Not uncommon in mountain districts from the East Cape, Taupo, and Mount Egmont to Foveaux Strait. 1500–5500 ft. January–March.

A beautiful little plant. The plate in the "Icones Plantarum" represents a somewhat small state, with solitary flowers, but it is otherwise an excellent representation of the species. It appears to pass gradually into both G. patula and G. divisa.

10. G. divisa, Cheesem. n. sp.—Stems slender, erect, excessively branched from the base, often forming hemispherical masses 2–6 in. diam. Radical leaves very numerous, rosulate, 1–3 in. long, oblong- or obovate-spathulate, rounded at the tip, gradually narrowed into broad flat petioles, usually rather thin and membranous, 3–5-nerved. Cauline leaves similar but smaller and on shorter petioles or the uppermost sessile. Flowers very numerous, in dense or lax corymbose cymes, sometimes almost concealing the leaves, about ¾ in. diam., white. Calyx rather more than one-half the length of the corolla, divided three-quarters of the way down or more; lobes linear-oblong, obtuse or subacute. Corolla deeply divided; lobes oblong, rounded at the tip.—G. bellidioides, var. divisa and var. vacillata, Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 337.

Var. magnifica.—Forming compact globose masses 3–9 in. diam., so densely covered with flowers as to resemble large snow-balls. Radical leaves much more coriaceous than in the type. Flowers large, ¾–1 in. diam. Calyx three-quarters the length of the corolla. Corolla-lobes broadly oblong, rounded.—G. bellidioides var. magnifica. Kirk, l.c.

South Island: In various localities in mountain districts from Nelson to Otago, but not common. 500–3500 ft. Var. magnifica: Slopes of Mount Captain, Nelson, alt. 4500 ft., Kirk!

This is so distinct in habit from all the forms of G. bellidifolia and G. patula that I feel compelled to grant specific rank to it.

11. G. Spenceri, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 335.—Annual; stems few or many from the root, slender, erect, 4–10 in. high. Radical leaves numerous, rosulate, 1–2 in. long, broadly ovate- or obovate-spathulate, rounded at the tip, narrowed into a broad petiole as long or longer than the blade, 3- or rarely 5-nerved; cauline few, rather narrower and with shorter petioles. Flowers ⅓–½ in. long, white or white streaked with purple veins, in dense 5–12-flowered umbels, each stem usually with a terminal umbel and 2 lateral ones springing from a pair of leaves half-way down; umbels surrounded by a whorl of 5–7 oblong-spathulate leaves overtopping the flowers and forming a kind of involucre; pedicels short. Calyx cut down almost to the base; lobes linear, acute. Corolla hardly longer than the calyx, divided about ⅔-way down; lobes linear-oblong, obtuse.

South Island: Nelson—Cobb Valley (near Mount Peel), F. G. Gibbs! mountains near Westport Rev. F. H. Spencer! Townson! Mount Frederic, Mount Buckland, Townson! 1500–3500 ft. January–February.

I am indebted to Mr. Townson for excellent specimens of this, which appears to be a perfectly distinct species, at once recognised by the involucrate umbels and small flowers, the corolla of which is hardly longer than the calyx. There is usually only one pair of cauline leaves besides those forming the involucre.

12. G. saxosa, Forst. in Act. Holm. (1777) 183, t. 5.—Perennial. Stems stout, usually much branched, prostrate or decumbent below, ascending or suberect at the tips, 3–6 in. long. Radical leaves numerous, crowded, spreading, ¾–1¾ in. long, spathulate or linear-spathulate, obtuse, narrowed into slender petioles as long or longer than the blade, fleshy, nerveless; cauline similar but smaller and on shorter petioles, close together or distant. Flowers terminal, solitary or in 2–5-flowered cymes at the tips of the branches, large, white, ½–¾ in. long. Calyx small, broad, about ⅓ as long as the corolla, divided nearly ¾-way down; lobes linear or linear-ligulate, obtuse or subacute, recurved at the tips. Corolla often nearly ¾ in. diam., broadly campanulate or subrotate, divided rather more than ½-way down; lobes oblong, obtuse.—Prodr. n. 132; A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 202; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 398; Raoul, Choix, 44; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 178, and Handb. N.Z. Fl. 190 (in part); Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 338. G. saxosa var. recurvata, Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvii. (1885) 224. G. Hookeri, Armstr. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiii. (1881) 340, in part (not of Grisebach).

South Island: Nelson—Coast near Charleston, Townson! Westland—Near Hokitika, Helms! Otago—Dusky Sound, on rocks washed by the sea, Forster, Menzies; Bluff Hill, Capt. F. W. Hutton! Kirk! Cockayne! Colac Bay and Fortrose, B. C. Aston! Catlin's River, Petrie! islands in Foveaux Strait, Kirk! Stewart Island: The Neck, Petrie! various stations on the coast, Kirk! Sea-level to 800 ft. January–April.

Purely littoral, and confined to rocky shores or sand-hills exposed to salt spray. Its distinguishing characters lie in the usually prostrate or decumbent habit, rather fleshy long-petioled leaves, short and broad deeply divided calyx, with the lobes recurved at the tips. In the Handbook it is merged with G. bellidifolia and other mountain species, with which it does not seem to have any very close affinity, its nearest ally, as Mr. Kirk has pointed out, being undoubtedly G. cerina.

13. G. cerina, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 54, t. 36.—Perennial. Stems usually numerous, much branched, stout, prostrate or decumbent at the base, ascending or suberect at the tips, leafy throughout or naked below, 4–14 in. long. Leaves ½–1½ in. long, obovate-spathulate or oblong-spathulate, obtuse, narrowed into a broad flat petiole, thick and coriaceous or fleshy, smooth and shining, 8-nerved; cauline similar but smaller and with shorter petioles. Flowers on slender pedicels or almost sessile, crowded towards the ends of the branches, sometimes corymbose, ⅓–⅔ in. long, white or white streaked with red and purple. Calyx about ⅓ shorter than the corolla or almost equalling it, divided ¾-way down; lobes oblong or oblong-spathulate, obtuse, sometimes slightly recurved at the tip. Corolla broadly rotate-campanulate; lobes oblong, obtuse.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 191; Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst, xxvii. (1895) 338. G. Campbellii, Homb. et Jacq. Voy. an Pole Sud, 22, t. 31c.

Var. suberecta, Kirk, l.c. 339.—Stems more slender, suberect, decumbent at the base, 6–18 in. high. Cauline leaves more remote. Flowers in rather lax corymbs, usually on long pedicels. Calyx-lobes broadly oblong.

Auckland Islands: Not uncommon from sea-level to nearly 1000 ft., Hooker! Kirk! Chapman!

A remarkably brilliant plant, well figured in the "Flora Antarctica."

14. G. concinna, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 53, t. 35.—Usually annual. Stems short, slender, much branched from the base, erect or ascending, 1–4 in. high; branches crowded, leafy. Leaves close-set, ⅓–1 in. long, oblong-spathulate or linear-oblong, obtuse, gradually narrowed into a broad flat petiole, spreading or recurved, coriaceous; cauline similar but smaller. Flowers in the axils of the upper leaves, often very numerous, sessile or shortly peduncled, about ⅓ in. long, white streaked with red or purple or altogether red. Calyx ⅓ shorter than the corolla, divided ¾-way down; lobes linear-oblong, obtuse. Corolla rotate-campanulate; lobes obovate-oblong, obtuse.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 190. G. cerina var. concinna. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 339.

Auckland Islands: Not uncommon. Hooker, Kirk! Chapman!

A charming little plant, very closely allied to G. cerina, from which it is mainly separated by being annual, by the more erect mode of growth, and by the smaller size of all its parts. According to Mr. Kirk, it is usually found growing on the surface of the huge masses of Trichocolea tomentella and other Hepaticæ which often carpet the ground in sheltered places in the Auckland Islands.

15. G. antarctica, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 339.—Annual; whole plant very minutely verrucose. Stems stout, erect, simple or branched, densely leafy throughout, 3–10 in. high. Radical leaves numerous, spreading all round, 1–2 in. long; blade oblong or lanceolate, obtuse, 3–5-nerved, membranous when dry, narrowed into a petiole of about equal length; cauline leaves rather smaller, with shorter petioles. Flowers small, about ⅓ in. long, crowded on short axillary leafy branchlets shorter than the subtending leaves, each flower in the axil of a floral leaf exceeding it in length; pedicels short, slender. Calyx equalling the corolla or nearly so, divided almost to the base; lobes linear or ligulate, obtuse. Corolla divided about ⅔-way down; lobes linear-oblong, obtuse or subacute. Ovary minutely verrucose.—G. concinna var. robusta. Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 53.

Var. imbricata, Kirk, l.c. 340.—Rigid, erect, 1–3 in. high. Leaves smaller, closely imbricating, ovate or ovate-spathulate, not verrucose, coriaceous, margins thickened. Flowers solitary in the axils of the upper leaves; corolla longer than the calyx.

Campbell Island: Hooker, Kirk!

Apparently a very distinct species. Mr. Kirk remarks that it is easily recognised by the pale greenish colour, the minutely verrucose surface of all its parts, and the slender excessively branched inflorescence, the flowers being almost hidden amongst the crowded leaves and bracts. It is sometimes reduced to a broad rosette of leaves with a short spike-like cluster of densely crowded flowers.

16. G. antipoda, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 340.—Perennial; whole plant very minutely verrucose. Stems numerous, stout, decumbent below, erect above, 3–10 in. high. Leaves ¾–1½ in. long, linear-spathulate or lingulate, obtuse, narrowed into a rather long flat petiole; lower crowded, often spreading or recurved; upper more remote, smaller and with shorter petioles, ascending or erect. Flowers small, ¼–⅓ in. long, white or white streaked with red, usually numerous on slender erect axillary braachlets, each flower in the axil of a linear bract, but sometimes the flowers are solitary in the axils of the cauline leaves. Calyx slightly shorter than the corolla, divided almost to the base; lobes linear-lanceolate, acute. Corolla very thin, divided about ⅔ -way down: lobes linear-oblong.

Antipodes Island: Abundant, Kirk!

Perhaps too close to the preceding, from which it mainly differs in the more numerous stems and narrower lingulate leaves. Mr. Kirk distinguished two forms, one with yellowish stems and white flowers, the other with reddish stems and flowers streaked with red.

It should be remarked that both this species and G. antarctica occasionally produce much smaller flowers which have smaller almost sessile anthers and ovaries with fewer ovules. Probably these flowers are cleistogamic, but my specimens are not sufficiently good to determine this.

3. LIPAROPHYLLUM, Hook. f.

A small creeping herb. Leaves linear, tufted, entire. Peduncles solitary, terminal, 1-flowered. Flowers small, white. Calyx deeply 5-partite; segments linear. Corolla subrotate, deeply 5-lobed; lobes with broad thin margins, induplicate-valvate. Stamens 5; filaments short, broad; anthers oblong. Ovary 1-celled, with 2 parietal placentas; style very short; stigma broadly 2-lamellate. Fruit globose, fleshy or succulent, indehiscent. Seeds numerous; testa crustaceous.

A monotypic genus, confined to New Zealand and Tasmania.

1. L. Gunnii, Hook. f. in Hook. Lond. Journ. Bot. vi. (1847) 472.—Small, perfectly glabrous. Rhizome 3–9 in. long, stout, creeping, branched, emitting long thick rootlets. Leaves tufted, ½–1 in. long, narrow-linear or linear-spathulate, obtuse, thick and fleshy, with a broad membranous sheathing base, quite entire. Peduncles stout, much shorter than the leaves. Flowers small, ⅙ in. diam. Calyx almost equalling the corolla; segments linear, fleshy, acute. Corolla divided ⅔-way down; lobes ovate, 3-nerved, margins undulate. Stamens inserted just below the sinus of the lobes. Ovary broadly ovoid or almost globose; ovules numerous. Fruit globose, about ¼ in. diam. Seeds orbicular, somewhat compressed.—Fl. Tasm. i. 273, t. 87; Benth. Fl. Austral. iv. 381; Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xii. (1880) 354.

South Island: Nelson—Mount Rochfort and other mountains near Westport, Dr. Gaze! W. Townson! Otago—Longwood Range, Kirk! Stewart Island: Muddy flats at Port Pegasus and Paterson's Inlet, Petrie! G. M. Thomson! Kirk! Sea-level to 3500 ft.

A curious little plant, probably not uncommon in mountain bogs on the west side of the South Island.