# Manual of the New Zealand Flora/Rubiaceæ

Additions and Corrections
Order XXXVII. RUBIACEÆ.
Trees, shrubs, or herbs, rarely climbing. Leaves opposite or whorled, simple, entire or very rarely toothed or lobed. Stipules always present, usually interpetiolar, either free or united with the petioles into a sheath, or connate into a sheath or ring surrounding the stem within the petioles; in the tribe Galieæ resembling the leaves, and with them forming a whorl round the branch. Flowers regular, hermaphrodite or unisexual, variously arranged. Calyx-tube adnate to the ovary; limb 4–5-toothed or cupular, sometimes wanting. Corolla gamopetalous, tubular, funnel-shaped, campanulate, or rotate, usually 4–5-lobed; lobes valvate or imbricate or contorted. Stamens inserted on the tube or mouth of the corolla, equal in number to its lobes. Ovary inferior, 2–many-celled, crowned by a fleshy disc; styles 1 or 2 or more; ovules solitary or 2 or more in each cell. Fruit very various, a drupe or berry or capsule, or composed of dehiscent or indehiscent cocci. Seeds with fleshy or horny albumen; embryo straight or curved; radicle superior or inferior.
One of the largest and best-defined orders in the vegetable kingdom, containing more than 350 genera and 4000 species. With the exception of the tribe Galieæ, which is almost entirely temperate, the species are mainly tropical or subtropical, and are especially plentiful in the warmer portions of South America. The medicinal properties of the order are most important. Out of many excellent drugs yielded by it, quinine and ipecacuanha are the best known and the most valuable. Among the species used for food the most noteworthy is the coffee-plant, which is now cultivated in all warm countries, and is of immense commercial importance. Many ornamental plants belong to the order, the various kinds of Bouvardia, Gardenia, Ixora, &c., being well-known examples. Of the 4 New Zealand genera, Coprosma extends to Australia and Tasmania, the Pacific Islands, New Guinea, and the mountains of Borneo. Nertera has the same distribution, and is found in South America as well. The two remaining genera are widely distributed in the north temperate zone.
* Leaves opposite; stipules interpetiolar. Ovary 2-celled; ovules solitary in each cell. Fruit a drupe. :
| Shrubs or small trees. Flowers unisexual | 1. Coprosma. |
| Slender herbs. Flowers hermaphrodite | 2. Nertera. |
| ** Leaves whorled; stipules apparently wanting. (In reality the whorl consists of two opposite leaves and several leaf-like stipules). Ovary 2-celled; ovules solitary in each cell. Fruit of 2 dry indehiscent cocci. Herbs. ||
| Calyx-limb wanting. Corolla rotate | 3. Galium. |
| Calyx-limb wanting. Corolla funnel-shaped or campanulate | 4. Asperula. |
1. COPROSMA, Forst.
Shrubs or small trees, usually erect, more rarely prostrate or creeping, often fœtid when bruised. Leaves opposite, petiolate or almost sessile; stipules interpetiolar, acute or acuminate, entire or denticulate. Flowers diœcious, small and inconspicuous, solitary or clustered in few- or many-flowered fascicles or cymes. ​Calyx-limb 4–5-toothed or -lobed or almost truncate, often absent in the males. Corolla funnel-shaped or campanulate, 4–5-lobed or -partite; lobes valvate in the bud. Stamens usually 4 or 5, inserted at the base of the corolla-tube; filaments long, filiform; anthers exserted, pendulous. Ovary 2-celled, rarely 3- or 4-celled; styles the same number as the cells, free to the base, filiform, far-exserted, papillose-hirsute; ovules solitary in each cell. Fruit a fleshy oblong or ovoid or globose drupe, with 2 (rarely 4) 1-seeded plano-convex pyrenes.
A genus of about 60 species, having its headquarters in New Zealand; found also in Australia and Tasmania and northwards to New Guinea and Borneo; also stretching through Polynesia as far as the Sandwich Islands and Juan Fernandez. In New Zealand it everywhere forms a large proportion of the shrubby vegetation, and is equally plentiful in lowland forests or subalpine woods, often forming dense and sometimes almost impenetrable thickets. One species ascends the mountains to a height of 6000 ft., and reaches as far south as Macquarie Island, where it is the sole ligneous plant. The species are extremely variable in habit, foliage, and vegetative characters generally; and, as the flowers are small and inconspicuous and very uniform in structure throughout the genus, it is no easy matter to obtain good distinctive characters, even when dealing with fresh specimens. In the following account I have adhered to the plan adopted in my monograph of the New Zealand species, published in the "Transactions of the New Zealand Institute" (Vol. xix., pp. 218 to 252), to which reference should be made for many details which cannot be given here.
In attempting to determine the species of Coprosma really good and well-selected specimens showing both foliage and flowers are indispensable. Both sexes should be collected; and, as important characters are often afiorded by the fruit, it should be obtained also, if possible from the same plant from which the female flowers were taken, notes being preserved of the shape, size, colour, and other characters lost in drying. Notes should also be kept of the habit and mode of growth, some of the closely allied species being easily distinguished by that alone. As the characters on which the species are founded are to a great extent comparative, the student must not expect to make much progress until he has collected a considerable number of the species and carefully compared one with another. The small-leaved species included in section B are particularly difficult to identify until most of them have been studied in detail.
In many of the small-leaved species the flowers are closely invested by one or more series of connate bracts, each series being composed of a pair of minute depauperated leaves and their stipules. The upper series usually forms an unequally 4-toothed cup-shaped involucel, and is easily mistaken for a calyx, especially in the male flowers, where the true calyx is often entirely wanting.
It is perhaps necessary to state that, with one or two exceptions, I have examined authentic specimens in Mr. Colenso's herbarium of the 16 species described by him in various volumes of the "Transactions of the New Zealand Institute." They are for the most part absolutely identical with previously described species, and the remainder differ so very slightly that they cannot be separated even as varieties.
A. Erect shrubs or trees. Leaves large, over 1 in. in length. Flowers fascicled on lateral peduncles; fascicles usually many-flowered. :
| * Peduncles 1–3 in. long (short in C. macrocarpa), trichotomously divided; fascicles dense. ||
| Leaves 3–7 in. long, coriaceous. Peduncles 1–1½ in. Fruit very large, ½–¾ in. long | 1. C. macrocarpa. |
| Leaves 4–9 in., membranous. Peduncles 1–3 in. Fruit ⅓ in. | 2. C. grandifolia. |
| Leaves 2–5 in., coriaceous. Peduncles 1–2 in. Fruit ⅓ in. | 3. C. lucida. ​ |
| ** Peduncles short, seldom over 1 in. Fascicles dense, many-flowered, rarely few-flowered. ||
| Subalpine dwarf shrub. Leaves very coriaceous, serrulate. Fascicles small, 2–5-flowered | 4. C. serrulata. |
| Maritime shrub. Branchlets glabrous or nearly so. Leaves fleshy, bright-green; margins recurved | 5. C. Baueri. |
| Tree 15–40 ft. Branchlets coarsely pubescent. Leaves 1½–3 in., oblong or obovate | 6. C. chathamica. |
| Maritime shrub. Branchlets finely pubescent. Leaves 1–2 in., subcoriaceous, oblong, obtuse; margins flat | 7. C. petiolata. |
| Leaves 2–5 in., elliptic oblong, acute, firm, coriaceous. Drupe orange | 8. C robusta. |
| Leaves 1½–2 in., linear or lanceolate, coriaceous. Drupe pale and translucent | 9. C. Cunninghamii |
| Leaves 1½–3 in., ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-ovate, acuminate, membranous, glabrous. Inflorescence lax | 10. C. acutifolia. |
| Leaves 1½–4 in., ovate-lanceolate to ovate, acuminate, membranous; petioles and midribs hairy. Inflorescence dense | 11. C. tenuifolia. |
| Tree 15–30 ft. Leaves ovate- or orbicular-spathulate, narrowed into winged petioles | 12. C. arborea. |
| B. Erect or rarely prostrate shrubs. Leaves small, less than 1 in. Flowers solitary or in few-flowered fascicles on minute arrested branchlets, which are often so much reduced that the flowers appear to be axillary. ||
| * Twigs glabrate or puberulous. Leaves spathulate. Drupe globose, black. ||
| Leaves suddenly contracted into a narrow winged petiole longer than the blade | 13. C. spathulata. |
| ** Twigs densely pubescent (except in C. tenuicaulis). Leaves orbicular, orbicular-spathulate, or broadly oblong (often narrow in C. rhamnoides). Drupe globose, black or red. ||
| Branches divaricating. Leaves ⅓–1 in., orbicular, cuspidate, membranous. Drupe often didymous, 1/6 in. diam., red | 14. C. rotundifolia. |
| Branches fastigiate. Leaves ⅓–⅔ in., orbicular-spathulate, acute, membranous. Drupe 1/6 in. diam., black or nearly so | 15. C. areolata. |
| Branches spreading. Leaves ¼–½ in., orbicular-spathulate, obtuse, rather coriaceous. Drupe 1/8 in. diam., black | 16. C. tenuicaulis. |
| Branches spreading, often interlaced. Leaves ¼–¾ in., variable, orbicular to ovate-oblong or linear-oblong. Drupe 1/6 in. diam., red | 17. C. rhamnoides. |
| *** Twigs densely pubescent (except in C. ramulosa). Leaves oblong linear-oblong, or linear-obovate. Drupe globose. ||
| Leaves ¼–⅔ in., oblong to obovate, densely ciliate | 18. C. ciliata. |
| Erect, leafy. Leaves ¼–¾ in., obovate or linear-obovate. Drupe 1/8 in, diam., bluish or bluish-violet to black | 19. C. parviflora. |
| Prostrate or decumbent, glabrate. Leaves ⅓ in., linear-obovate. Drupe 1/6 in. diam., red | 20. C. ramulosa. |
| **** Twigs nearly glabrous. Leaves orbicular to oblong or obovate (spathulate in C. virescens). Drupe oblong, rarely obovoid, usually yellow. ||
| Branches ascending, puberulous. Leaves ½–1 in. long, obovate or oblong-ovate, coriaceous | 21. C. Buchanani. ​ |
| Branches rigid and interlacing. Leaves ⅓–⅔ in., orbicular or broad-oblong, very coriaceous. Drupe ¼ in. long, broadly oblong | 22. C. crassifolia. |
| Branches spreading, often interlaced. Leaves ¼–¾ in., obovate or oblong-spathulate, subcoriaceous. Drupe ¼–⅓ in., oblong or obovoid | 23. C. rigida. |
| Branches spreading, interlaced. Leaves 1/8–1/4 in., oblong or linear-oblong, coriaceous. Drupe 1/8 in. diam., obconic or obcordate | 24. C. obconica. |
| Branches spreading. Leaves ¼–¾ in., orbicular or broadly oblong, membranous. Drupe ¼ in. long, yellowish-white | 25. C. rubra. |
| Branches slender, interlacing. Leaves 1/5–1/3 in., ovate-spathulate, thin. Drupe ¼ in. long, yellowish-white | 26. C. virescens. |
| ***** Twigs pubescent or puberulous. Leaves linear or narrow-linear-oblong. Drupe variable. ||
| Prostrate; branches flexuous and interlacing. Leaves narrow-linear, ¼–⅓ in., 1/20 in. wide. Drupe globose, pale-blue | 27. C. acerosa. |
| Tall, erect; branches spreading. Leaves ¼–½ in. long, linear or linear oblong. Drupe oblong, ⅓ in. long, bluish | 28. C. propinqua. |
| Procumbent or suberect. Leaves usually fascicled, ½–1 in. long, linear, linear-oblong, or linear-obovate | 29. C. Kirkii. |
| C. Erect or rarely prostrate shrubs. Leaves small, less than 1 in. long (except in C. fœtidissima and occasionally in C. linariifolia). Flowers terminating leafy branchlets, always solitary (except the males in C. linariifolia and sometimes in C. fœtidissima). ||
| Erect, slender, glabrate, 6–15 ft. Leaves ½–1½ in., linear-lanceolate; stipules long, sheathing. Male flowers in 3–5-flowered fascicles | 30. C. linariifolia. |
| Erect; branches stout, setose. Leaves ⅓ in., linear-lanceolate, ciliate | 31. C. Solandri. |
| Erect, slender, 6–15 ft., intensely fœtid when bruised. Leaves ½–2 in., oblong or obovate, membranous. Male flowers sometimes fascicled | 32. C. fœtidissima. |
| Erect or procumbent, 2–8 ft., not fœtid. Leaves ⅓–1 in., linear-obovate or linear-oblong. Flowers solitary on decurved peduncles | 33. C. Colensoi. |
| Prostrate, fœtid when bruised. Leaves ¼–⅔ in., linear-obovate, retuse or emarginate, coriaceous; margins minutely crenulate | 34. C. retusa. |
| Erect, rigid, densely branched. Leaves numerous, 1/5–3/4 in., linear- or oblong-obovate, coriaceous, spreading or recurved | 35. C. cuneata. |
| Erect; branches very slender. Leaves ¼–⅓ in., linear-lanceolate, fiat, thin | 36. C. microcarpa. |
| Prostrate or procumbent. Leaves 1/6–1/4 in., linear-lanceolate, concave, coriaceous | 37. C. depressa. |
| D. Stems short, prostrate and rooting, often densely matted. Leaves small. Flowers terminal, solitary. ||
| Leaves glabrous, linear-oblong to rounded-oblong or obovate. Male corolla large, curved, tubular. Drupe ¼ in. diam. | 38. C. repens. |
| Leaves hairy, linear-oblong or linear-obovate. Male corolla smaller, campanulate above. Drupe ⅓–½ in. diam. | 39. C. Petriei. |
North Island: Hitherto only found on the Three Kings Islands, to the north-west of Cape Maria van Diemen, T. F. C.
At once distinguished by the large fruit, which is more than twice the size of that of C. grandifolia, which is its nearest ally. The leaves are almost as large as those of C. grandifolia, but approach C. robusta in shape and texture, and dry a brownish-black as in that species.
2. C. grandifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 104.— A large sparingly branched shrub 8–15 ft. high, with dark-brown bark. Leaves large, 4–9 in. long, obovate-oblong or elliptic-oblong, rarely narrower and elliptic-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, membranous, dull-green, not shining nor glossy; veins finely reticulated; petioles rather slender, ¾–1½ in. long. Peduncles 1–3 in. long, trichotomously divided. Flowers in fascicles at the ends of the divisions of the peduncle; male fascicles much more dense than the females. Calyx distinct in both sexes, minute, 4–5-toothed. Male corolla ⅓ in. long, funnel-shaped; female smaller, 1/5–1/4 in., tubular. Drupe about ⅓ in. long, oblong, obtuse, reddish-orange.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 112; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 229; Kirk, Students' Fl. 231. C. autumnalis. Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 263. Ronabea australis, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 265.
North and South Islands: Abundant from the Three Kings Islands and the North Cape to Marlborough and the south-west of Nelson Province. Sea-level to 2500 ft. Kānono; Mānono. April–June.
One of the most distinct species of the genus, easily recognised by the large membranous leaves and well-developed inflorescence.
3. C. lucida, Forst. Prodr. n. 137.—A stout leafy glabrous shrub 4–15 ft. high. Leaves 2–5 in. long, obovate to oblong-obovate or obovate-lanceolate, obtuse or acute or apiculate, gradually narrowed into a short stout petiole, coriaceous, shining, yellow-green when dry. Peduncles 1–2 in. long, trichotomously divided. Flowers numerous, in fascicles at the ends of the divisions of the peduncle. Calyx present in both sexes, minutely 4–5-toothed. Male corolla 1/5 in. long, broadly tubular; female shorter and narrower. Drupe ⅓–½ in. long, oblong or oblong-obovoid, reddish-orange.—A. Rich. ​Fl. Nouv. Zel. 262; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 470; Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 104; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 112; Cheesm. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 230; Kirk, Students' Fl. 231.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Abundant throughout, ascending to 3200 ft. Karamu. September–November.
Allied to C. grandifolia, which it approaches in the inflorescence, but easily separated by the smaller coriaceous and glossy obovate leaves.
4. C. serrulata, Hook. f. ex Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. iii. (1871) 212.—A robust perfectly glabrous dwarf shrub 1–4 ft. high; branches few, spreading; old bark white and papery. Leaves ¾–2 in. long or more, oblong-obovate or broadly obovate or nearly orbicular, rounded at the apex, obtuse or apiculate, narrowed into a short broad petiole, thick and coriaceous; margins thickened, minutely serrulate. Stipules very large, triangular, with toothed or ciliated margins. Male flowers in 3–7-flowered axillary fascicles. Calyx wanting. Corolla campanulate, 4–5-lobed. Females solitary or in 2–5-flowered fascicles. Calyx-limb obscurely toothed. Corolla tubular, shortly 3–5-lobed. Drupe ¼–⅓ in., broadly oblong, reddish.—Cheesm. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiv. (1887) 231; Kirk, Students Fl. 232.
South Island: Subalpine localities from Mount Arthur, Nelson, to Dusky Sound, chiefly on the western side of the mountains. Altitudinal range 2000–4500 ft. November–January.
A very distinct species, differing from all others in the serrulate leaves.
5. C. Baueri, Endl. Iconog. t. 111.—A shrub or small tree, very variable in size and mode of growth; in exposed rocky places often not more than 1–3 ft. high, with almost prostrate branches; in rich sandy soils sometimes forming a round-topped tree 15–25 ft. high. Branches stout, glabrous, or the younger ones minutely pubescent. Leaves bright shining green, almost fleshy, black when dry, 1–3 in. long, broadly ovate or oblong, obtuse or retuse; margins usually recurved. Stipules short and broad, minutely toothed. Male flowers in dense heads on short axillary peduncles. Calyx minute, cupular, obsoletely 4-toothed. Corolla campanulate, 1/4–1/5 in. long, 4–5-lobed. Females in 3–6-flowered heads; peduncles shorter and more slender than in the males. Calyx-limb minute, truncate or obscurely 4-toothed. Corolla tubular, shortly 4-lobed. Drupe ovoid, ¼–⅓ in. long, orange-yellow.—C. Baueriana, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 104; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 112; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 232; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 62; Students' Fl. 231. C. retusa, Hook. f. in Lond. Journ. Bot. iii. (1844) 415 (not of Petrie). C. lucida, Endl. Prodr. Fl. Ins. Norf. 60 (non Forst.). C. Stocki, Barbier in Bev. Hort. Belg. iii. (1877) t. 12.
Kermadec Islands, North and South Islands: Common on sea-cliffs and sand-dunes as far south as Marlborough and Greymouth. Angiangi; Naupata. September–November.
​Nearest to C. robusta, but distinguished by the more compact habit, glossy almost fleshy obtuse leaves with recurved margins, smaller heads of flowers, and rounder fruit.
Mr. Kirk's variety oblongifolia (Students' Fl. 232), with densely pubescent branchlets and small linear-oblong leaves, will probably prove to be a distinct species.
6. C. chathamica, Cockayne in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxiv. (1902) 317.—A tree 15–40 ft. high, with a trunk sometimes 2 ft. in diam.; bark greyish-brown; branchlets obscurely tetragonous, more or less clothed with short stiff greyish hairs. Leaves 1½–3 in. long, about 1 in. broad, oblong or obovate-oblong or obovate, obtuse or subacute, narrowed into a rather slender petiole, subcoriaceous, dark-green or glossy above, paler beneath, glabrous except the petioles and a few scattered hairs along the midrib and margins; veins conspicuously reticulated beneath. Male flowers not seen. Female flowers in few-flowered fascicles. Calyx-limb cupular, truncate. Corolla deeply 4-lobed. Drupe large, oblong-ovoid, rather more than ⅓ in. long, yellowish-red.
Chatham Islands: Abundant, H. H. Travers; Captain G. Mair! Cox and Cockayne!
I have only seen two very imperfect specimens of this, and the above description is mainly based upon that given by Mr. Cockayne. It was referred to C. petiolata by Sir J. D. Hooker (Handb., p. 731), but appears to differ in the very much larger size, the coarser almost shaggy pubescence on the young branchlets (in C. petiolata the pubescence is very short, fine, and even), and in the larger leaves.
7. C. petiolata, Hook. f. in Journ. Linn. Soc. i. (1857) 128.—A shrub or small tree 6–15 ft. high; bark pale-grey; branchlets terete or obscurely tetragonous, uniformly clothed with a fine ashy-grey pubescence. Leaves 1–2 in. long, elliptic-oblong or obovate, rounded at the apex, narrowed into a short slender petiole, subcoriaceous, glabrous or the petiole and veins beneath puberulous; margins flat or very slightly recurved. Stipules deltoid, acuminate. Male flowers in compact rounded heads on short axillary puberulous peduncles. Calyx-limb obscure. Corolla companulate, ⅕ in. long, deeply 4-lobed. Females in 3–6-flowered fascicles. Calyx cupular or obscurelv toothed. Corolla tubular, 3–5-toothed. Mature fruit not seen.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 113; Kirk, Students' Fl. 232.
Kermadec Islands: Abundant throughout the group, McGillivray, T. F. C.
Very closely allied to C. Baueri, but easily separated by the uniform grey pubescence of the branchlets, and by the smaller flat leaves with much more slender petioles. I have seen no specimens from the mainland of New Zealand, and fear that the locality of "maritime rocks south of Castlepoint," given in the "Handbook," is erroneous.
8. C. robusta, Raoul in Ann. Sci. Nat. Ser. iii. 2 (1844) 121.—A stout erect glossy-green shrub 5–15 ft. high, perfectly glabrous in all its parts; bark greyish-brown. Leaves numerous, 1½–5 in. long, elliptic-oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, acute or rarely obtuse, ​narrowed into a short stout petiole, coriaceous, dark-green and shining above, paler beneath; margins sometimes slightly recurved. Peduncles short, stout, simple or branched, bearing dense many-flowered glomerules. Male flowers: Calyx minute, cupular, obsoletely 4–5-toothed or quite truncate. Corolla campanulate, ¼–⅓ in. long, 4–5-lobed. Females: Much smaller, 1/5–1/6 in. Corolla tubular, shortly 3–5-lobed. Drupes crowded, oblong to ovoid, ¼–⅓ in. long, yellowish- or reddish-orange.—Choix de Plantes, 23, t. 21; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 105; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 113; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 234; Kirk, Students Fl. 233. C. coffæoides, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxi. (1889) 87.
Var. angustata, Kirk, l.c.—Leaves smaller, ¾–2 in. long, ¼–½ in. broad, linear-oblong or lanceolate. Includes var. parva, Kirk, l.c.
North and South Islands, Chatham Islands: Abundant throughout, ascending to 2500 ft. Karamu. August–October.
The most generally distributed of all the New Zealand species.
9. C. Cunninghamii, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 113.—A large sparingly branched shrub 6–15 ft. high; bark pale; branches ascending. Leaves erect, ½–2 in. long, linear or linear-lanceolate, acute or subacute, gradually narrowed into a short stout petiole, flat, coriaceous. Flowers sessile in 3–12-flowered glomerules or terminating short arrested branchlets. Males: Calyx minute, cupular, truncate or obscurely lobed. Corolla campanulate, 1/8–1/6 in. long, 4–5-lobed. Females smaller and less numerous. Calyx-limb 4–5-toothed. Corolla tubular, 3–5-lobed. Styles very long and slender. Drupe broadly oblong, ¼ in. long, pale and translucent.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 234; Kirk, Students' Fl. 233. C. fœtidissima, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 471 in part (non Forst.).
North and South Islands, Chatham Islands: Not uncommon in lowland districts, especially in rich alluvial soils. Mingimingi. August–September.
Very closely allied to C. robusta, but distinguished by the linear leaves, fewer flowers, and translucent fruit. Intermediate states are not uncommon, and are often difficult to place in the absence of fruit.
10. C. acutifolia, Hook. f. in Journ. Linn. Soc. i. (1857) 128.—A glabrous shrub or small tree 8–20 ft. high; bark pale; branches slender, spreading. Leaves 1½–4 in. long, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-ovate, acuminate, narrowed into a slender petiole ¼–½ in. long, thin and membranous; veins finely reticulated. Peduncles slender, longer than the petioles, simple or trichotomously divided; branches ending in little fascicles of 2 or 3 flowers. Male flowers rather large, ⅓ in. long. Calyx minute, cupular. Corolla broadly funnel-shaped, 4–5-lobed. Female flowers smaller and fewer. Calyx-limb with 4–5 linear teeth. Corolla tubular, 3–5-lobed. Drupe oblong. ¼ in. long, reddish-orange.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 114; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. [[Manual of the New Zealand Flora/Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute/Volume 20/Article 23#169|xx. (1888) 169; Kirk, Students' Fl. 233.
Kermadec Islands: Abundant on Sunday or Raoul Island, ascending to the tops of the hills, alt. 1700 ft., McGillivray, T. F. C. July–August.
A very distinct species, at once recognised by the comparatively narrow thin and membranous leaves and lax inflorescence.
11. C. tenuifolia, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 315.—A sparingly branched shrub 8–15 ft. high, glabrous, or the petioles and midribs of the young leaves minutely hairy; branches slender, terete; bark pale. Leaves 1½–4 in. long, ovate or oblong-ovate to ovate-lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, narrowed into slender petioles ¼–¾ in. long, thin and membranous or rarely subcoriaceous, dull brownish-green above, paler below; veins conspicuous on both surfaces, finely reticulated. Stipules rather large, broadly deltoid, margins ciliate when young. Male flowers crowded in axillary 3–8-flowered fascicles or terminating arrested branchlets. Calyx apparently wanting. Corolla campanulate, 4–5-lobed. Female flowers not seen. Fruit in dense fascicles of 3–8 on short lateral branchlets, ¼–⅓ in. long, ovoid or oblong.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 234.
North Island: Te Aroha, Pirongia, and Karioi Mountains, T.F.C.; Mount Hikurangi, Adams and Petrie! Lake Waikaremoana, Bishop Williams! E. Best! Ruahine Mountains, Colenso! Mount Egmont Ranges, T.F.C.; abundant in the Upper Wanganui and Rangitikei Valleys, Kirk! 1000–4000 ft.
Distinguished from C. robusta by the membranous pale-brown leaves and smaller glomerules. From C. acutifolia it is separated by the broader leaves with coarser venation and by the compact inflorescence.
12. C. arborea, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. x. (1878) 420.—A closely branched round-headed tree 15–30 ft. high; trunk 6–18 in. diam.; branchlets slender, puberulous towards the tips. Leaves 1–2½ in. long, ovate-spathulate or orbicular-spathulate, obtuse or retuse, suddenly narrowed into winged petioles ¼–¾ in. long, coriaceous, yellow-green above, often reddish beneath; veins reticulated; margins flat. Stipules short, deltoid, ciliate when young. Flowers densely crowded in many-flowered rounded glomerules or heads, terminating short axillary branchlets or at the ends of larger shoots. Male flowers: Calyx narrow, deeply divided into 4–5 ciliate lobes. Corolla short, 1/5 in. long, campanulate, deeply 4–5-lobed. Females: Smaller and shorter, in 4–12-flowered fascicles. Calyx-limb 4–5-toothed. Corolla tubular. Drupes closely packed, broadly oblong or almost globose, ¼ in. diam., colourless and translucent.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 236; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 132; Students' Fl. 234.
North Island: Not uncommon in woods from the North Cape to the Lower Waikato. Sea-level to 1500 ft. October–November.
One of the largest species of the genus, and one of the most distinct. The calyx of the male flowers is better developed and has deeper divisions than in any other species.
​13. C. spathulata, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 479.—A small sparingly branched shrub 2–5 ft. high, rarely more; branches slender, young ones puberulous. Leaves rather distant, variable in size, ½–1½ in. long; blade orbicular or broadly or transversely oblong, obtuse or retuse or emarginate, suddenly contracted into a narrow winged petiole longer or shorter than the blade, coriaceous, glossy; margins recurved; veins few. Stipules triangular, cuspidate. Flowers sessile, axillary, solitary or in 2–3-flowered fascicles. Males: Seated in an involucel composed of a pair of depauperated leaves and their stipules, drooping. Calyx deeply 4–5-lobed. Corolla campanulate, 1/5 in. long, 4–5-lobed to the middle, lobes revolute. Stamens usually 4. Females generally solitary, smaller and narrower than the males. Calyx-limb deeply 4-toothed, teeth acute. Corolla tubular, deeply 3–4-lobed. Drupe globose or nearly so, ¼ in. diam., black, very rarely red.—Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 106; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 114; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 237; Kirk, Students' Fl. 234.
North Island: Abundant in lowland forests from the North Cape to the Upper Waikato. August–September.
Allied to C. arborea, from which it is easily separated by the small size, straggling habit, smaller leaves on longer petioles, fewer flowers, and solitary black fruit. The leaves are often a bronzy colour, shining and polished on the upper surface.
14. C. rotundifolia, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 473.—A laxly branched shrub 4–12 ft. high; branches long and slender, widely spreading, irregularly and sparsely branched, the young ones densely pubescent or almost villous towards the tips; bark greyish-brown. Leaves distant, ¼–1 in. long, usually orbicular, but varying to broadly oblong or ovate-oblong, cuspidate or abruptly acute, rarely obtuse, thin and membranous, more or less pubescent and ciliate, especially on the margins and veins, finely reticulated; petioles short, villous. Flowers sessile, in axillary few- or many-flowered fascicles, rarely solitary. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/10 in. long, broadly campanulate, deeply 4-lobed. Female flowers smaller and narrower. Calyx-limb minutely 4-toothed. Corolla tubular, 3–4-lobed. Drupe globose or broader than long, often didymous, 1/6 in, diam., red.—Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 108; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 114; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 237; Kirk, Students Fl. 235. C. rufescens, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 261.
North and South Islands: Abundant in damp forests, by the side of rivers, &c. Sea-level to 2000 ft. September–October.
The spreading habit, broad membranous leaves, villous branchlets, small fascicled flowers, and small globose or didymous red drupes are the best marks of this common species. C. areolata is distinguished by its fastigiate habit, smaller acute leaves, and black drupe; C. tenuicaulis by being more glabrous, by the much smaller leaves, and by the black drupe; while C. rubra is at once ​separated by the nearly glabrous branchlets and oblong yellow fruit. The leaves are often blotched, and are usually more or less deciduous, so that the plant is often quite bare in spring.
15. C. areolata, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 315.—An erect closely branched shrub or small tree 6–15 ft. high; branches slender, fastigiate, ultimate pubescent or villous with soft greyish hairs. Leaves ⅓–⅔ in. long, orbicular-spathulate to ovateor elliptic-spathulate, acute or apiculate, abruptly narrowed into short hairy petioles, thin and membranous, flat, glabrous or nearly so above, usually pubescent on the veins beneath; veins forming large areoles. Flowers axillary, solitary or in 2–4-flowered fascicles. Male flowers: True calyx wanting, but one or two calycine involucels closely invest the base of the corolla. Corolla broadly campanulate, 1/8 in. long, deeply 4–5-lobed. Females: Solitary or 2 together, 1/10 in. long. Calyx truncate or obscurely 4-toothed. Corolla narrow-funnel-shaped, shortly 4-lobed. Drupe globose, 1/6 in. diam., black or nearly so when fully ripe.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 235. C. multiflora, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxi. (1889) 86.
North and South Islands: Not uncommon in lowland forests throughout. Sea-level to 1500 ft. September–October.
The fastigiate habit makes this species easy of recognition. Its nearest ally is C. tenuicaulis, which is separated by its smaller size, spreading branches, dark-coloured bark, more glabrous leaves and branchlets, and smaller and more coriaceous leaves.
16. C. tenuicaulis, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 106.—A much-branched shrub 4–8 ft. high; bark purplish-brown; branches slender, spreading, often interlaced, young ones finely puberulous. Leaves ¼–½ in. long, rarely more, orbicular- or ovate-spathulate, rounded at the apex, obtuse or subacute, abruptly narrowed into a short flat petiole, somewhat coriaceous, flat, glabrous on both surfaces; veins reticulated in large areoles. Flowers axillary, solitary or in 2–3-flowered fascicles, involucellate. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla campanulate, 1/8–1/6 in. long, 4–5-lobed. Females smaller and shorter. Calyx-limb truncate. Corolla tubular, 3–5-lobed. Drupe globose or depressed, 1/8 in. diam., shining-black.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 115; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 239; Kirk, Students' Fl. 236.
Var. major, Cheesem.—Leaves much larger and more membranous, ¾–1¼ in. long; blade orbicular, suddenly narrowed into a long flat petiole often equalling the blade. Flowers and fruit apparently as in the type. Perhaps a distinct species.
North Island: Abundant in marshy forests or open turfy swamps from the North Cape to Hawke's Bay and Taranaki. Var. major: Lower Waikato, H. Carse! Sea-level to 1000 ft. September–October.
17. C. rhamnoides, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 474.—A small densely branched shrub 2–6 ft. high; bark reddish-brown, uneven; branches numerous, spreading, often rigid and interlaced when ​growing in exposed places; young shoots more or less clothed with a short white pubescence. Leaves ¼–¾ in. long, 1/8–1/2 in. broad, very variable in shape and texture, orbicular or broadly ovate to narrow-oblong, in some varieties with lanceolate or linear leaves mixed with the broader ones, rounded retuse or acute, abruptly narrowed into a very short petiole, coriaceous or almost membranous, glabrous or puberulous beneath; veins reticulated, evident except in the more coriaceous forms. Flowers axillary, solitary or in 2–3-flowered fascicles, involucellate. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla campanulate, 1/10 in. long, 4–5-lobed to below the middle, lobes often recurved. Females smaller and narrower. Calyx-limb truncate or obsoletely toothed. Corolla tubular, deeply 4-cleft; lobes narrow, revolute. Drupe globose, 1/6 in. diam., usually bright-red or reddish-black, rarely quite black.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 239; Kirk, Students' Fl. 236. Two main forms are distinguishable as follows:—
Var. a, vera.—Leaves orbicular or broadly ovate, obtuse, often coriaceous.—C. rhamnoides, A. Cunn.; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 107; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 116. C. concinna, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 330. C. orbiculata, Col. l.c. xxii. (1890) 465.
Var. b, divaricata.—Leaves broadly ovate, oblong-ovate, or oblong, acute or subacute, rather thin. Narrower leaves, linear or lanceolate, often mixed with the broader ones.—C. divaricata, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 476 (not of Hook. f.). C. heterophylla, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 263. ? C. gracilis, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 475.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Abundant throughout, ascending to 3000 ft. August–October.
An exceedingly variable and puzzling species, for a fuller account of which reference should be made to my revision of the genus, published in the "Transactions of the New Zealand Institute," Vol. xix. (p. 239).
18. C. ciliata, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 22.—A much-branched bush 4–10 ft. high, sometimes forming almost impenetrable thickets; branches stout or slender, lax or dense, young ones villous with rather rigid hairs; bark pale, almost white. Leaves tufted on short lateral branchlets, ¼–⅔ in. long, oblong or oblong-obovate, rarely narrower and linear-oblong, obtuse or subacute, narrowed into a very short petiole, flat, rather membranous, under-surface slightly pubescent, margins and petiole ciliate; veins obscure, not reticulated. Stipules broad, acute, villous. Flowers unknown. Drupe (only a single specimen seen) subglobose, 1/5 in. diam., black.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 115; Kirk, Students' Fl. 237.
Auckland and Campbell Islands, Antipodes Island: Abundant, ascending to 1000 ft.
Apparently closely allied to C. parvifiora, but its exact position cannot be determined until good flowering and fruiting specimens have been obtained.
19. C. parviflora, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 107.—An erect much-branched leafy shrub 4–15 ft. high; branches stout or slender, often spreading in a horizontal plane; branchlets densely pubescent or ​villous; bark pale-grey. Leaves usually close-set, fascicled on short lateral branchlets, ¼–¾ in. long, obovate or linear-obovate or linear-oblong, rounded at the top or rarely subacute, narrowed into a short petiole, coriaceous, glabrous or the petioles and midrib pubescent; margins flat or slightly recurved; veins not conspicuous. Stipules broad, pubescent or villous. Flowers involucellate, solitary or in 2–4-flowered fascicles. Male flowers: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/10 in. long,, broadly campanulate, 4–5-partite almost to the base. Females: Calyx-limb minutely 4–5-toothed. Corolla 1/12 in., tubular, 4-lobed. Drupe globose, 1/8 in. diam., variable in colour, bluish or violet-blue or quite black.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 116; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 241; Kirk, Students' Fl. 238. C. myrtillifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 21; Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 108.
Var. pilosa.—Much more slender and more sparingly branched. Leaves broader, thin and membranous; margins and both surfaces ciliate with soft tawny hairs.
Var. dumosa.—Branches stiff and rigid, often interlacing, villous. Leaves smaller, 1/6–1/3 in. long, narrow linear-oblong, very thick and coriaceous.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Auckland and Campbell Islands: Abundant throughout, ascending to over 4000 ft. OctoberJanuary.
An extremely variable plant, found in many diverse stations; abundant in rich alluvial soils in lowland forests, and quite as plentiful in high mountain valleys or on steep mountain slopes. Its distinguishing characters are the leafy habit, uniformly pubescent branches, obovate or linear-obovate coriaceous leaves, and small globose drupes. The varieties described above look distinct in their extreme forms, but are connected with the type by numerous intermediates. Var. pilosa approaches very close to C. ciliata, the flowers of which, however, are quite unknown.
20. C. ramulosa, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 405.—A slender much-branched prostrate or decumbent shrub 2–4 ft. high; branches wide-spreading, the younger ones faintly pubescent; bark pale-brown or grey. Leaves opposite or fascicled on opposite twigs, ⅓ in. long, about 1/8 in. broad, linear-obovate, rounded at the apex, narrowed into a short petiole or almost sessile, coriaceous or almost membranous, margins flat, veins indistinct. Stipules deltoid, acute, pale-grey or almost white. Male flowers solitary, terminating short lateral branchlets, involucellate. Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/6 in., campanulate, 4–5-partite. Female flowers not seen. Drupe globose, 1/6 in. diam., dark-red.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 236. C. pubens, Petrie, l.c. xxvi. (1894) 267 (not of A. Gray).
North Island: Mount Hikurangi, Petrie! Mount Egmont, T.F.C. South Island: Arthur's Pass and Kelly's Hill, Petrie! Kirk! Cockayne! T.F.C; Broken River, Cockayne! 2500–5000 ft.
I have not seen good flowering specimens of this. In foliage it approaches certain states of C. parviflora, and the fruit resembles that of C. rhamnoides; but it differs from both in the slender rambling or prostrate habit.
​21. C. Buchanani, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxiv. (1892) 424.—A much and closely branched shrub 5–10 ft. high; branches numerous, ascending, younger ones finely pubescent; bark reddish-brown. Leaves distant, ½–1 in. long, broadly oblong or obovate, obtuse or minutely apiculate, narrowed into a short pubescent petiole, rather coriaceous, puberulous and minutely ciliate when young, margins thickened. Stipules deltoid, acute, minutely ciliate. Male flowers unknown. Females axillary, solitary or in 2–3-flowered fascicles, involucellate. Calyx-limb minutely 4–5-toothed. Corolla narrow-campanulate, 4–5-lobed to the middle; segments acute, recurved. Styles stout. Fruit unknown.—Students' Fl. 239.
North Island: Wellington—Near Cape Terawhiti, Buchanan, Kirk! October.
Apparently a very distinct species, the true affinities of which cannot be determined until the male flowers and fruit have been observed.
22. C. crassifolia, Col. Excurs. North Is. 75.—A much-branched rigid shrub 4–12 ft. high; branches divaricating, excessively stiff and rigid, often interlaced; branchlets glabrous or minutely puberulous; bark reddish-brown or greyish-brown, uneven and fissured on the branches, smoother on the twigs. Leaves ¼–¾ in. long, rarely more, broadly oblong or obovate to orbicular, rounded at the tip or retuse, abruptly narrowed into a very short petiole, usually thick and coriaceous, often glaucous beneath; margins thickened; veins obscure. Flowers involucellate, solitary or more rarely in 2–3-flowered fascicles. Male flowers: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/5 in. long, campanulate, 4-partite almost to the base. Stamens 4. Female flowers: Calyx-limb minute, truncate or obsoletely toothed. Corolla tubular, 1/8–1/7 in. long, deeply 4-lobed. Drupe ¼ in. long, subglobose or broadly oblong, yellow, sometimes white and translucent.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 242; Kirk, Students' Fl. 238. C. pendula, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxi. (1889) 84.
North and South Islands: From Hokianga southwards to Otago, but often local. Sea-level to 1200 ft. September–November.
Best distinguished by the excessively stiff and rigid habit, almost glabrous branchlets, rounded coriaceous leaves, and subglobose yellow fruit. Mr. Colenso's C. pendula has much thinner leaves, but is not otherwise different.
23. C. rigida, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 243.—An erect shrub 5–15 ft. high; branches divaricating, stout or slender, open or much interlaced, glabrous or the very young twigs puberulous; bark reddish- or purplish-brown. Leaves in opposite pairs on short lateral branchlets, ¼–¾ in. long, obovate or oblongspathulate, rounded or retuse, gradually narrowed into a short petiole, coriaceous or almost membranous, quite glabrous; veins ​obscure. Stipules deltoid, glabrous. Flowers involucellate, solitary or in 2–4-flowered fascicles. Male flowers: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/5 in. long, campanulate, 4–5-partite. Females: Calyx-limb minutely 4–5-toothed. Corolla tubular, 1/6–1/7 in., deeply 3–5-lobed. Drupe ¼–⅓ in. long, oblong or obovoid, yellow.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 239. C. divaricata, Hook f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 107 in part (not of A. Cunn.). C. aurantiaca, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxii. (1890) 464. C. lentissima, Col. l.c. 465. C. turbinata, Col. l.c. xxiv. (1892) 389.
North and South Islands: Not uncommon in swampy lowland forests. September–October.
Very close to C. crassifolla, but not so rigid, the leaves narrower and less coriaceous, and the drupe narrower. In Mr. Colenso's herbarium there are numerous specimens of his three species quoted above. There can be no doubt whatever that they represent common states of C. rigida, and cannot be separated even as varieties.
24. C. obconica, Kirk, Students' Fl. 237.—An erect shrub 4–5 ft. high or more; bark pale; branches numerous, spreading, interlaced, younger ones pubescent or puberulous. Leaves 1/8–1/4 in. long, 1/16–1/12 broad, oblong or linear-oblong, obtuse or minutely apiculate, sessile or very shortly petiolate, coriaceous, glabrous; margins thickened, recurved; veins obscure. Flowers solitary or geminate, terminating short arrested branchlets, involucellate, decurved. Male flowers: Calyx shortly funnel-shaped, teeth deltoid. Corolla broadly funnel-shaped, 4-lobed to the middle; lobes ovate, recurved. Females: Corolla tubular, slightly ventricose at the base, teeth short, straight. Styles very long. Drupes 1/8–1/6 in. diam., broadly obconic or obcordate, yellowish-white, almost translucent.
South Island: Nelson—Wairoa Gorge, Bryant and Kirk. August.
I am not acquainted with this, and there are no specimens in Mr. Kirk's herbarium. I have consequently reproduced his description in an abbreviated form.
25. C. rubra, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvii. (1885) 269.—An open or closely branched shrub 5–12 ft. high; branches slender, divaricating, glabrous or the very young ones puberulous; bark reddish-brown. Leaves ¼–¾ in. long or more, broadly oblong or obovate to orbicular, rounded or subacute or apiculate, abruptly narrowed into long or short ciliolate petioles, rather membranous; veins obscurely reticulated. Flowers involucellate, solitary or in 2–4-flowered fascicles. Male flowers: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/6 in. long, campanulate, 4-partite. Stamens 4. Females: Calyx-limb minutely 4-toothed. Corolla 1/8 in. long, tubular, 4-lobed. Drupe ¼ in. long, oblong, yellowish-white, translucent.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 243; Kirk, Students' Fl. 239. C. divaricata var. latifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 107.
North Island: Hawke's Bay, Colenso! South Island: Nelson—Wairoa Gorge, Bryant and Kirk. Otago—Near Dunedin; Catlin's River, Petrie! September–November.
Nearest to C. crassifolia, from which it is separated by the less rigid habit, membranous leaves, and rather smaller flowers.
26. C. virescens, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xi. (1879) 426.—A glabrous much-branched shrub 5–10 ft. high; branches very slender, flexuose, spreading and interlaced; bark pale greyishbrown. Leaves 1/5–1/3 in. long, spathulate or oblong-spathulate, obtuse or subacute, narrowed into a short slender petiole, membranous, quite glabrous; margins flat or slightly undulate. Stipules acute, ciliolate. Flowers involucellate, solitary or in 2–3-flowered fascicles. Male flowers: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/8 in. long, campanulate, 4-partite almost to the base. Females: Calyx-limb obsoletely 4-toothed. Corolla shorter and narrower than in the males, tubular, deeply 4-lobed. Drupe ¼ in. long, oblong, yellowish-white, translucent.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 244; Kirk, Students' Fl. 240. C. divaricata var. pallida, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. 107.
North Island: Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay, Colenso! South Island: Pelorus Sound, Rutland! Wairoa Gorge, Bryant and Kirk; Lake Forsyth, Kirk! various localities in Otago, Petrie! Sea-level to 1500 ft. September–October.
A very distinct species, perhaps more closely allied to C. rubra than to any other.
27. C. acerosa, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 477.—A low often excessively braiiched prostrate or suberect wide-spreading shrub 1–5 ft. high; branches straight or flexuous or zigzag, often closely interlaced, younger ones puberulous; bark yellowish-brown or dark-brown, often fissured and uneven. Leaves in close or distant opposite pairs or fascicles, ¼–⅔ in. long, about 1/20 in. wide, erecto-patent, very uniform in shape, narrow-linear, obtuse or subacute, veinless. Flowers axillary, terminating minute arrested branchlets, involucellate. Males: Solitary or in 2–4-flowered fascicles. Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/6 in. long, campanulate, 4-partite to below the middle. Stamens 4. Females solitary. Calyx-limb minutely 4-toothed. Corolla 1/10 in. long, tubular, 4-lobed. Drupe globose, variable in size, 1/6–1/3 in., pale-blue, translucent.—Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 109; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 118; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 244; Kirk, Students Fl. 240.
Var. a, arenaria, Kirk, l.c. 241.—Yellow-green; branches slender, widespreading, flexuous and interlaced. Leaves close-set, very narrow-linear.
Var. b, brunnea, Kirk, l.c.—Dark-brown, branches fewer, short, stout, rigid. Leaves usually distant, shorter and more coriaceous.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands: Common throughout, var. a chiefly on sand-dunes, var. b in hilly or mountain districts, ascending to 4000 ft. Tatarahake. September–November.
Easily recognised by the peculiar habit, extremely narrow leaves, and sky-blue drupe.
​28. C. propinqua, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 472.—A large branching shrub or small tree 6–20 ft. high; branches widely divaricating, young ones puberulous; bark brown or brownish-grey. Leaves opposite, or in opposite fascicles on short arrested branchlets, ¼–½ in. long, 1/12–1/8 in. wide, linear or narrow linear-oblong or narrow linear-obovate, obtuse or subacute, gradually narrowed into a very short petiole or sessile, rather coriaceous; veins obscure. Flowers solitary or in 2–4-flowered fascicles, each fascicle invested by a 4-toothed cupuliform involucre, and each flower involucellate. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/6 in. long, campanulate, 4–5-partite. Females: Calyx-limb 4-toothed. Corolla 1/8 in. long, tubular, 3–4-lobed. Drupe ⅓ in. long, globose or broadly oblong, bluish or bluish-black or quite black.—Raoul, Choix. 46; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 109; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 116; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 245; Kirk, Students' Fl. 241. C. alba, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxiv. (1892) 388.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands: Abundant throughout in swampy forests or by the side of rivers, &c. Sea-level to 1500 ft. Mingimingi. September–October.
Allied to C. Cunninghamii, but distinguished by the more spreading habit, dark bark, smaller narrower leaves, smaller and fewer flowers, and by the drupe not being white and translucent.
29. C. Kirkii, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxix. (1897) 391.—A much and closely branched procumbent or suberect shrub, often forming rounded masses 2–4 ft. high and the same in diam.; rarely taller, erect, and loosely spreading. Branches stout, often interlaced; branchlets obscurely tetragonous, usually more or less clothed with short greyish pubescence, rarely almost glabrous. Leaves opposite or in opposite fascicles, ½–1 in. long, linear or narrow linear-oblong or narrow linear-obovate, obtuse or subacute, gradually narrowed into a very short petiole, flat, coriaceous or almost membranous; midrib evident below; lateral veins usually indistinct. Stipules very short, broad, ciliate. Flowers in 3–6-flowered fascicles on short arrested branchlets, rarely solitary. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/6 in. long, broadly campanulate, 4–5-partite. Females smaller and narrower. Calyx-limb minutely 4-toothed. Corolla funnel-shaped, deeply 4-lobed. Drupe (immature) 1/6 in. long, oblong.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 241. Plagianthus linariifolia, Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 394, t. 34, f. 1.
North Island: Auckland—Tapotopoto Bay, Kirk! coast between Spirits Bay and the North Cape, T.F.C.; near Ahipara, R. H. Mattheivs! T.F.C.; South Head of Hokianga Harbour, Kirk! Taranaki—Near Opunake, Kirk! Hawke's Bay—Portland Island, Bishop Williams!
It is possible that more species than one may be included in the above description, but the material at my disposal is insufficient to determine this. Mr. Kirk's original specimens from Tapotopoto Bay are from a procumbent shrub with closely placed fascicled leaves and pubescent branchlets, and my own, from near the North Cape, agree in habit and the pubescent branches, but have larger spreading leaves. The Ahipara plant is erect, with lax almost ​glabrous branchlets, and still larger more distantly placed leaves; and Mr. Kirk's Opunake specimens are very similar. Bishop Williams's specimens, from Portland Island, are remarkable for the very pale bark and densely tomentose branchlets, the leaves being broader than the Ahipara specimens. The ripe fruit is unknown in all the forms, and the Ahipara plant is the only one of which good flowering specimens have been obtained.
30. C. linariifolia, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 118.—A much-branched shrub or small tree 6–20 ft. high; trunk sometimes 9 in. diam.; branches slender, spreading, younger ones puberulous; bark dark-grey. Leaves all opposite, ½–1½ in. long, 1/8–1/3 in. broad, linear or linear-lanceolate, rarely oblong-lanceolate, acute, suddenly narrowed into a short slender petiole, flat, coriaceous, blackish when dry; veins indistinct. Stipules glabrous or puberulous, upper ones connate into a long sheath; margins usually ciliate. Flowers terminating leafy branchlets, involucellate. Males in 2–5-flowered fascicles, fascicles involucellate. Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/8 in. long, broadly campanulate, 4–5-lobed to the middle; lobes revolute. Females solitary. Calyx-limb with 4–5 large and erect linear-oblong lobes. Corolla 1/8 in. long, tubular, 4–5-lobed. Drupe ⅓ in. long, broadly oblong, crowned by the persistent calyx-lobes, at first pale and translucent, ultimately black.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 246; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 95; Students' Fl. 242. C. propinqua var. γ, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 109.
North and South Islands: Not uncommon from the Tiiames River southwards. Sea-level to 3000 ft. October–November.
Easily recognised by the long sheathing stipules. In several respects it approaches C. propinqua and C. Cunninghamii, but is easily distinguished by the difierent habit, thinner acute leaves, and by the long calyx-lobes of the female flowers.
31. C. Solandri, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxix. (1897) 522.—A much-branched shrub; branches stout, rigid, obscurely tetragonous; branchlets numerous, short, erect; bark whitish, setose. Leaves erect, loosely imbricating, ⅓ in. long, 1/10 in. broad, linear-lanceolate, acute or apiculate, very coriaceous; midrib sunken on both surfaces. Stipules setose, ciliate, loosely sheathing. Flowers not seen. Drupes solitary, terminal, seated in an involucel composed of two depauperated leaves and their stipules, ¼ in. long, broadly ovoid, crowned bv the persistent calyx-lobes.—Students' Fl. 242.
North Island: East Cape district. Banks and Solander.
This was described by Mr. Kirk from some specimens in the set of Banks and Solander's plants presented to the colony by the Trustees of the British Museum. The specimens, with many others, are now missing from the set, having probably been mislaid at the time of Mr. Kirk's decease. The species is apparently closely allied to C. linariifolia.
32. C. fœtidissima, Forst. Char. Gen. 138.—Usually a slender sparingly branched shrub 6–15 ft. high, but occasionally forming a small tree 20 ft. high, with a trunk 1 ft. in diam. or more; ​disgustingly fœtid when bruised or while being dried. Branches slender, glabrous, or the very young ones minutely puberulous. Leaves variable in size and shape, 1½–2 in. long, ¼–¾ in. broad, usually oblong, but varying from linear-oblong or -obovate to rounded oblong or broad-ovate, obtuse or acute or retuse, abruptly narrowed inco a rather long and slender petiole, slightly coriaceous or almost membranous; margins fiat; midrib distinct; lateral veins obscure. Stipules short, cuspidate. Flowers sessile, terminating the branchlets. Males solitary or 2–3 together. Calyx often wanting, when present minute, obscurely 4-toothed. Corolla ⅓–⅔ in. long, campanulate, 4–5-lobed to the middle, rarely 8–10-lobed. Stamens the same number as the lobes. Females solitary, erect, ¼–⅓ in. long. Calyx-limb truncate or obscurely toothed. Corolla tubular, 3–4-lobed. Drupe 1/3 in. long, oblong or ovoid, red or yellowish-red, sometimes pale and translucent.—A. rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 261; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 471; Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 20, t. 13; Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 105; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 116; Kirk, Students Fl. 242. C. affinis, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 21, t. 14. C. repens, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 264 (not Hook. f.). C. pusilla, Forst. Prodr. n. 513. C. sagittata, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxi. (1899) 270.
North and South Islands, Chatham Islands, Stewart Isljind, Auckland and Campbell Islands: Abundant from the Thames goldfields and Raglan southwards. Sea-level to 4500 ft. Karamu; Hupiro. August–October.
Easily distinguished by the oblong leaves, large terminal flowers, and horribly disagreeable odour when bruised.
33. C. Colensoi, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 117.—A small and slender erect or rarely procumbent open or closely branched shrub 2–8 ft. high; bark pale-brown or whitish; young branches puberulous. Leaves opposite or fascicled on short lateral twigs, yellowish-green, very variable in size and shape, –1½ in. long, linear-oblong or linear-obovate to broadly oblong or obovate, rarely narrower and linear or linear-lanceolate, obtuse or retuse, narrowed into rather slender petioles, coriaceous or almost membranous; margins flat, or recurved in the coriaceous forms; veins indistinct. Flowers terminating the branchlets, solitary on short decurved peduncles, involitcellate. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/5 in. long, campanulate, 4-lobed. Females: Calyx-limb minutely 4-toothed. Corolla 1/6 in. long, tubular, 4-lobed; lobes revolute. Drupe 1/6–1/4 in. long, oblong, dark-red.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 248; Kirk, Students' Fl. 243. C. myrtillifolia var. linearis, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 108. C. Banksii, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxx. (1898) 433.
North Island: Mountainous districts from the Thames goldfields and Te Aroha southwards; not common. South Island: Western portion of Nelson Province and Westland to the West Coast sounds. Stewart Island: Abundant. Usually from 1500ft. to 3500ft., but descends to sea-level on Stewart Island. November–January.
A well-marked species, easily recognised by the terminal solitary flowers on decurved peduncles.
​34. C. retusa, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvi. (1894) 268.—A much-branched procumbent shrub; branches short, stout or slender, straggllng; bark pale, marked by two opposite lines of pubescence interrupted at the nodes. Leaves ¼–⅔ in. long, linear-obovate or oblong-obovate, retuse or almost 2-lobed at the tip, gradually narrowed into a short stout petiole, thick and coriaceous, flat or concave above, midrib usually distinct beneath; margins thickened and recurved, very minutely crenulate. Stipules broad, with 3 cartilaginous teeth, oiliate. Flowers solitary, terminating short leafy branchlets. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla ¼–⅓ in. long, broadly campanulate, 4–5-partite. Females: Calyx-limb with 4–5 subulate teeth. Corolla narrow-campanulate, 4–5-partite; segments narrow, revolute. Styles stout, sometimes 3. Drupe 1/4 in. long, ovoid, yellowish-red.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 243.
South Island: Nelson—Mount Rochfort, Townson! Westland—Kelly's Hill, Petrie! Arthur's Pass, Cockayne! T.F.C. Southland—Clinton Saddle, Lake Te Anau, Petrie! Longwood Range, Kirk! 2000–3500 ft. December–January.
A very distinct species, easily known by the straggling habit, retuse leaves with minutely crenulate margins, and rather large terminal flowers. It has the disagreeable odour of C. fœtidissima when bruised.
35. C. cuneata, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 21, t. 15.—A stout erect or spreading closely branched shrub 2–10 ft. high; branches woody and rigid, densely leafy, the younger ones puberulous; bark greyish-white to dark-brown. Leaves close-set, usually fascicled on short lateral branchlets, 1/5–3/4 in. long, 1/10–1/4 in. broad, linear- or oblong-obovate or cuneate-oblong, obtuse or subacute, almost sessile, patent or recurved, rigid and coriaceous, often concave above, almost veinless; margins slightly recurved. Stipules short and broad, usually densely fimbriate or ciliate. Flowers solitary, terminating the branchlets, sessile, involucellate. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla: ¼ in. long, campanulate, 4–5-lobed. Females: Calyx-limb 4–5-lobed; lobes unequal. Corolla 1/5 in. long, 4-lobed to the middle. Drupe 1/8–1/6 in. diam., globose, red.—Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 110; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 117; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 249; Kirk, Students' Fl. 244.
North Island: Mount Hikurangi, Colenso, Adams and Petrie! Ruahine Mountains and Lake Taupo, Colenso; Mount Egmont, Dieffenhach, T.F.C. South Island, Stewart Island, Auckland and Campbell Islands, Antipodes Islands: Abundant in mountain districts. Usually from 2000 ft. to 5000 ft., but descends to sea-level in the Auckland Islands. November–January.
A variable plant, but separated from any other by the densely leafy habit, coriaceous often recurved linear-obovate or cuneate leaves, broad fimbriate stipules, and rather large solitary terminal flowers. In alpine localities it is often dwarfed to a foot or two in height, with rigid and woody interlaced branches aud small excessively coriaceous leaves.
​36. C. microcarpa, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 110.—A leafy shrub 1–10 ft. high; branches slender, close-set, divaricating, pubescent, leafy; bark grey. Leaves in pairs on short lateral branchlets, ¼–⅓ in. long, 1/15–1/12 in. broad, spreading, linear or linear-lanceolate, acute, flat, veinless, dark-brown when dry, not coriaceous; stipules short, ciliate. Flowers minute. Males: Calyx cup-shaped, 4-toothed. Corolla broadly bell-shaped, 1/5 in. diam., 4-partite; lobes narrow, acuminate, long. Females: Calyx-limb short, tubular, 4-toothed. Corolla 1/12 in., tubular or funnel-shaped, 4-cleft ¼ way down. Drupe very small, globose, 1/10 in. diam.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 118; Kirk, Students' Fl. 244. ?C. margarita, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 594.
North Island: Ruahine Mountains, Colenso! Olsen! South Island: Nelson—Upper Maitai Valley, Graham River, T.F.C. Westland—Ahaura Plain, Kirk! Canterbury—Oxford Forest, Kirk!
The above description is that given in the "Handbook," but without access to the type specimens, which are in the Kew Herbarium, it is impossible to say whether the plants from the localities cited are really identical with Hooker's species or not.
37. C. depressa, Col. ex Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 110.—A small closely branched usually prostrate bush 1–4 ft. high; branches leafy, trailing or prostrate, younger ones puberulous; bark greyish. Leaves usually in opposite fascicles, 1/6–1/4 in. long, 1/15–1/12 in. wide, linear-lanceolate or narrow linear-oblong, rarely linear-obovate, acute or obtuse, narrowed into a rather short petiole or almost sessile, suberect or patent or recurved, rigid and coriaceous, somewhat concave, glabrous or the margins minutely ciliate; veins indistinct. Stipules short, broad, ciHate. Flowers terminating the branchlets, solitary, sessile, involucellate. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/10–1/8 in. long, campanulate, 4-partite. Females: Calyx-limb 4-toothed. Corolla tubular, 1/10 in. long, 4-lobed. Drupe 1/6 in. diam., globose, orange-yellow.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 118; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 250; Kirk, Students' Fl. 245.
North Island: Lake Taupo and Ruahine Mountains, Colenso! Ruapehu, Kirk; Rangipo Plain, Petrie! Mount Egmont, T.F.C. South Island: Mount Arthur Plateau, T.F.C.; mountains above the Otira Valley, Petrie! Arthur's Pass, Cockayne, T.F.C.; Kurow Mountains, Petrie! 2500–5000 ft. December–January.
Very close to C. cuneata, but a much smaller and more slender plant, with smaller and narrower leaves. It also approaches some states of C. acerosa var. brunnea, but that is a stouter and more rigid plant, with dark bark and narrower leaves.
38. C. repens, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 22, t. 16a.—A small glabrous creeping species, often forming broad matted patches. Branches 2–18 in. long or more, prostrate and rooting, stout or slender, sometimes almost flaccid; bark greyish. Leaves usually close-set, rarely distant, 1/8–1/3 in. long, linear-oblong or linear-obovate to broadly oblong or broadly obovate, obtuse or subacute, narrowed ​into very short broad petioles or almost sessile, bright-green, coriaceous, spreading or suberect; margins thickened. Stipules short and broad, obtuse, glabrous or ciliate. Flowers greenish-white, solitary, terminal. Males: Large for the size of the plant, ⅓–¾ in. long. Calyx minute, cupular, 4- or 8-toothed. Corolla tubular, often curved, 4–8-toothed or -lobed. Stamens 4–8. Females smaller, ¼–⅓ in. long. Calyx-limb 4–8-toothed. Corolla tubular, 4–8-lobed to about ⅓ way down. Styles 2 or 4, rarely 3 or 5. Drupe globose, ¼ in. diam., red or orange-yellow.—Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 110; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 119; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 250; Kirk, Students' Fl. 245. C. pumila, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. ii. 543; Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 110; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 119. C. perpusilla. Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxii. (1890) 466.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Auckland and Campbell Islands, Antipodes Island, Macquarie Island: Abundant in mountain districts from the East Cape southwards; ascending to 6000 ft. on Mount Egmont and in the Southern Alps, descending to sea-level in the Auckland Islands, &c. December–January.
Easily distinguished from all other species, except C. Petriei, by the small size and creeping and matted habit. From C. Petriei it is separated by the larger and broader always glabrous leaves, much longer tubular male flowers, and smaller drupe.
39. C. Petriei, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 316.—Stem prostrate and creeping, usually forming broad matted patches; branches 6–18 in. long, glabrous or puberulous. Leaves usually close-set, erecto-patent, 1/10–1/4 in. long, linear-oblong or linear-obovate, acute or obtuse, narrowed into short petioles or sessile, often concave, rigid and coriaceous, veinless, glabrous or sprinkled over with short white hairs on both surfaces. Flowers solitary, terminating short erect branchlets, involucellate. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla 1/5–1/3 in. long, tubular at the base, campanulate above, 4-lobed. Females smaller, about 1/8 in. long. Calyx-limb irregularly toothed. Corolla broadly tubular, deeply 4-lobed. Drupe large, globose, ⅓–½ in. diam., variable in colour, dark-purple or bluish-purple, sometimes pale and translucent.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 246.
South Island: Not uncommon in mountain districts from Nelson to Foveaux Strait. Descends to sea-level at the mouth of the Waitaki River, ascends to over 4000 ft. in the Southern Alps. November–January.
Easily separated from C. repens by the shape of the male corolla and much larger drupe.
2. NERTERA, Banks and Sol.
Small slender creeping perennial herbs. Leaves opposite, glabrous or sparsely pilose. Stipules small, interpetiolar. Flowers solitary, axillary or terminal, sessile or very shortly pedicelled, hermaphrodite. Calyx-limb truncate or very obscurely 4-toothed. Corolla tubular or funnel-shaped, 4–5-lobed; lobes valvate. Stamens ​4 or 5, inserted at the base of the corolla-tube; filaments long, fiiliform; anthers large, far-exserted, usually pendulous. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, filiform, free nearly to the base, hirsute; ovules solitary in each cell. Drupe globose or ovoid, fleshy, containing 2 1-seeded pyrenes.
A small genus of 7 or 8 species, found in Australia and New Zealand, Java, the Philippine Islands, Andine and Antarctic South America, and Tristan d'Acunha.
| Perfectly glabrous. Leaves broad-ovate | 1. N. depressa. |
| Perfectly glabrous. Leaves narrow-ovate | 2. N. Cunninghamii. |
| Hairy or villous. Leaves cordate-ovate. Corolla short, 1/8 in. long | 3. N. dichondræfolia. |
| Hispid. Leaves ovate or oblong. Corolla long, ⅓–½ in., tubular | 4. N. setulosa. |
1. N. depressa, Banks and Sol. ex Gærtn. Fruct. i. 124, t. 26.—A slender glabrous perennial, very variable in size, often forming broad matted patches; stems 2—12 in. long, creeping and rooting at the nodes. Leaves ¼–½ in. long, broadly ovate or almost orbicular, acute or obtuse, rounded or truncate or almost cordate at the base, quite glabrous; petioles equalling the blade or shorter. Stipules small. Flowers very small and inconspicuous, solitary, terminal, sessile. Calyx-limb truncate or nearly so. Corolla 1/10 in. long, broadly funnel-shaped, 4-lobed. Drupe globose or broader than long, red.—Forst. Prodr. n. 501; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 481; Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 23; Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 112; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 120; Benth. Fl. Austral. iii. 431; Kirk, Students' Fl. 246. N. montana. Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 595.
North Island: Ruahine Range, Colenso. South Island, Stewart Island, Auckland Islands: Abundant throughout, chiefly in mountain districts. Ascends to 4000 ft. October–January.
Also found in Australia and Tasmania, South America, and Tristan d'Acunha. The leaves very rarely have a few sparse hairs on the upper surface.
2. N. Cunninghamii, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 112.—Perfectly glabrous. Stems much more slender than in N. depressa, almost filiform, 4–18 in. long. Leaves ¼–⅓ in. long, narrow-ovate, acute, rounded at the base; petioles about as long as the blade. Stipules small, acute. Flowers very minute, terminal. Calyx-limb truncate or obsoletely 4-toothed. Corolla shorter and broader than in N. depressa, 1/12 in. long, 4-lobed. Stamens usually erect. Drupe globose, red, 1/8 in. diam.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 120; Kirk, Students Fl. 247. ?N. papulosa, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 595.
North Island: Mongonui and Kaitaia southwards to Cook Strait, but often local. South Island: Near Westport, Townson! October–January.
This differs from the preceding species only in the more slender habit, narrower leaves, and slightly smaller drupe. It is said to occur in the Philippine Islands.
​3. N. dichondræfolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 112, t. 28a.—A slender creeping herb, often forming extensive matted patches. Stems 4 in. to 2 ft. long, branched, more or less hairy or villous with soft tawny hairs, rarely nearly glabrous. Leaves with the petioles ¼–¾ in. long, broadly ovate or almost orbicular, acute or apiculate, cordate or rounded at the base, membranous, more or less hispid or hairy above, usually glabrous or nearly so beneath; petiole longer or shorter than the blade. Stipules acute. Flowers terminal, sessile. Calyx-limb obscurely 4-toothed. Corolla 1/8 in. long, funnel-shaped, 4-lobed. Drupe globose, red, 1/6 in. diam.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 120; Kirk, Students' Fl. 247. N. gracilis, Raoul in Ann. Sci. Nat. ii. (1844) 121. N. ciliata, Kirk, Students' Fl. 247. Geophila dichondræfolia, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 482.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Abundant from Mongonui and Kaitaia southwards. Sea-level to nearly 3000 ft. October–December.
Very variable in size, amounc of hairiness, &c. Small specimens are sometimes almost glabrous, while large laxly branched ones are often copiously villous. Mr. Kirk's N. ciliata, which he distinguished by the ciliate leaves and shorter petioles, appears to me to be a trivial form only.
4. N. setulosa, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 112, t. 28b.—Very variable in size, more or less hispid with short stiff hairs. Stems creeping and rooting, 3–12 in. long, putting up numerous leafy suberect branches 1–6 in. high or more. Leaves ¼–¾ in., broadly ovate or orbicular to oblong or oblong-obovate, obtuse, membranous, laxly clothed with stiff white hairs; margins ciliate; petiole shorter than the blade. Flowers axillary or terminal, very slender, ⅓–½ in. long. Calyx-tube densely hispid; limb unequally 4–5-toothed. Corolla very long, tubular, hispid, 4–5-toothed; teeth erect. Filaments very long, wiry, far-exserted; anthers apiculate, sagittate at the base. Styles long. Drupe usually dry, 1/8–1/6 in. long, oblong, obscurely ribbed, hispid.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 120; Kirk, Students' Fl. 247. N. pusilla, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 331.
North Island: Auckland—North Cape district, Adams and T.F.C.; Kaitaia, B. H. Matthews! between Kaihu and Maunganui Bluff, Petrie! T.F.C.; Patetere Plateau, T.F.C. Hawke's Bay—Dannevirke and Norsewood, Colenso! Wellington—Wairarapa, Colenso! near Wellington, Kirk! South Island: Otago—Plentiful, Petrie! Thomson! Stewart Island: Kirk! November–January.
Very distinct from the three preceding species, and at once recognised by the long tubular corolla. The Australian N. reptans, F. Muell., should probably be united with it. The flowers are strongly proterogynous and possibly dimorphic as well.
3. GALIUM, Linn.
Herbs with slender quadrangular stems. Leaves in whorls of 4 to 8, of which 2 are supposed to be true leaves and the remainder stipules, although all are precisely similar in size and shape. Flowers minute, in axillary or terminal cymes. Calyx-limb obsolete. Corolla rotate, 4-lobed, rarely 3- or 5-lobed. Stamens 4; ​filaments short. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, connate at the base; stigmas capitate; ovules solitary in each cell. Fruit didymous, small, dry, indehiscent.
A large genus of over 160 species, found in all temperate regions. Both the New Zealand species are endemic.
| Leaves in whorls of 4, linear-lanceolate | 1. G. tenuicaule. |
| Leaves in whorls of 4, oblong | 2. G. umbrosum. |
1. G. tenuicaule, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 468.—Stems slender, straggling, branched, 6 in. to 3 ft. long, glabrous or slightly scabrid on the angles. Leaves in rather distant whorls of 4, ¼–¾ in. long, linear-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, awned or acuminate, narrowed to the base, scabrid on the margins and midrib beneath. Flowers minute, white, 1/12 in. diam., in 1–4-flowered axillary cymes; peduncles usually longer than the leaves, decurved in fruit. Fruit of 2 minute globose cocci, dark-brown, glabrous.—Raoul, Choix, 46; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 113; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 120; Kirk, Students' Fl. 249. G. triloba. Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xx. (1888) 192.
North and South Islands: Damp places on the margins of woods and swamps; not uncommon from Ahipara southwards. Sea level to 2.500ft. December–March.
2. G. umbrosum, Sol. ex Forst. Prodr. n. 500.—Stems 1–10 in. long, suberect or prostrate, much or sparingly branched, weak or rather stiff and wiry, glabrous or more or less ciliate on the angles. Leaves in whorls of 4, 1/10–1/3 long, broadly oblong or elliptical-oblong, acuminate or mucronate, marked with pellucid dots when held between the eye and the light, glabrous or the margins ciliated, petioles short. Flowers very minute, white; peduncles axillary, longer than the leaves, usually 1-flowered, more rarely 2- or 3-flowered. Fruit of 2 minute globose rugulose cocci.—Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 113; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 121; Kirk, Students Fl. 249. G. propinquum, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 469. G. erythrocaulon, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 332.
North and South Islands: From the North Cape southwards to Foveaux Strait; plentiful. Ascends to 3000 ft. December–March.
The Eurooean G. Aparine, L., a much larger and coarser species than, either of the above, with weak straggling or subscandent scabrous stems 2–6 ft. long, and lanceolate leaves in whorls of 6–8, has become thoroughly established in many localities in both Islands.
4. ASPERULA, Linn.
Herbs with slender quadrangular stems. Leaves in whorls of 4 to 8, of which 2 are leaves and the remainder stipules, as in Galium. Flowers minute, solitary or in axillary or terminal cymes. Calyx-limb wanting. Corolla funnel-shaped, with a distinct limb and 4 spreading lobes. Stamens 4; anthers exserted. Ovary 2-celled; styles 2, more or less connate at the base; stigmascapitate. Fruit didymous, small, dry, indehiscent.
A genus comprising about 60 species, found in the temperate and subtropical regions of the Old World, but not extending to America or South Africa. It only differs from Galium in the funnel-shaped corolla. The single New Zealand species is endemic.
1. A. perpusilla, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 114.—A small slender decumbent perennial. Stems weak, filiform, branched, 1–3 in. high, glabrous. Leaves in whorls of 4, 1/15–1/10 in. long, lanceolate, acuminate, awned, straight or curved, margins usually ciliate. Flowers minute, white, axillary or terminal, solitary, often unisexual; males usually pedicelled; females sessile. Calyx-tube glabrous. Corolla 1/12 in. diam., campanulate, 4- or rarely 5-partite, tube very short. Styles united below, their tips free, divergent. Fruit of 2 globose minutely granulate cocci.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 121; Kirk, Students' Fl. 248. A. aristifera, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxi. (1889) 88.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Not uncommon from the Lower Waikato southwards, ascending to 3000 ft. November–January.
The corolla-tube is much shorter than is usual in Asperula, and the species would almost be better placed in Galium.
A. fragrantissima, Armst. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiv. (1882) 359, is probably a form of Galium umbrosum.