Descriptions of New Native Plants. By D. Petrie, M.A., Ph.D., F.N.Z.Inst. [Read before the Auckland Institute, 25th November, 1924; received by Editor, 28th November, 1924; issued separately, 6th March, 1926.] Plates 2,3. Carex McMahoni sp. nov. Species C. Buchanani (Berggren) similis; differt foliis laete viridibus, longe acuminatis, pendentibus; culmis trigonis laevibus, folia permultum excedentibus; spiculis 5–7 crassioribus, ad culmorum apices approximatis sessilibus, duabus supremis masculis; utriculis minoribus, tenuiter plano-convexis, ellipticis, subalatis, plurinerviis, a parte dimidia superiore delicate serrulatis; rostro brevi bifido serrulato. Densely tufted, dark green; culms numerous, slender, smooth, trigonous, erect below widely drooping above, 90–110 cm. (3–4 ft.) high; leaves considerably shorter than the culms, narrow-striate, keeled, more or less com plicate below, delicately scabrid along edges, slightly recurved in upper half, produced into long acuminate tips; spikelets 5–7, sessile, closely placed at tops of culms, linear-oblong, cylindrical, rather stout, 3–3.5 cm. (1 ¼ in.) long, 5 mm. broad, the terminal 1 or 2 male (the lower much the smaller and sometimes partially female), the remainder female, a slender and abortive spikelet on a long filiform peduncle often springs from axil of uppermost leaf; bracts long and leaf-like; glumes shorter than utricles, broadly obovate, thin, pale, 1-nerved, wavy and bifid above, produced into a fairly long thin smooth whitish mucro; utricles rather small, shortly stipitate, elliptic, thinly plano-convex, slightly winged along edges, many-nerved on both surfaces, finely serrate along upper half; beak short, bifid, sparsely serrate. Hab.—Pelorus Valley, Sounds County: J. H. McMahon! I have pleasure in naming this fine species after Mr. McMahon, who has rendered me many valuable services. Carex Coxiana sp. nov. Culmi 45 cm. (18 in.) alti, rigidi erecti triquetri, vix graciles leves, folia vix aequantes; folia linearia, a medio 0.8 cm. (⅖ in.) lata, plerumque plana subcoriacea, utrinque tenuiter ac conferte striata, marginibus sub-revolutis, in apices longiusculos filiformes producta; inflorescentia spicula infima duplo longior; spiculae 6–7 approximatae, sursum gradatim breviores, sessiles vel subsessiles robustae fulvae; infima 3 cm. (1 ½ in.) longa 5 mm. lata, summa mascula claviformis, 3 cm. (1 ⅕ in.) longa, subrobusta; glumae utriculos superantes, ovato-oblongae, plerumque integrae, in aristam brevem levemque productae, apicibus bifidis vel integris; styli 3; utriculi pallidi ± nitentes leves ovoidei, in rostrum subbrevem bifidum angustati, ± plano-convexi, nervis lateralibus duobus percursi, cetera enervia; nux obovoidea, obtuse triquetra, subacuta. Culms about 18 in. high, stiffly erect, somewhat shorter than leaves, triquetrous, rather slender, smooth; leaves shortly sheathing, almost

linear, keeled near base, flat for most of their length, moderately coriaceous, 3.6 mm. wide at middle, harsh at margins, finely and closely striate above and below, edges somewhat revolute, drawn out into long filiform tips, midrib conspicuous below, inflorescence twice as long as the lowermost spikelet; spikelets 6 or 7 approximate near tops of culms, the upper gradually shorter, sessile or nearly so, stout, dark brown, the lowermost 3 cm. (1 ⅕ in.) long; topmost male, club-shaped, robust, 3 cm. (1 ⅕ in.) long by 5 mm. wide, remainder female; glumes longer than utricles, ovate-oblong, usually entire, produced into a rather short smooth awn, thin, dark brown with a pale striated band along middle, bifid at tops or entire; styles 3; utricles pale, more or less polished and shining, smooth, obovoid, shortly stipitate, rather sharply narrowed into a moderately short bifid beak with slightly diverging teeth, plano-convex or thinly biconvex, with two distinct lateral ribs, otherwise nerveless or with very obscure nerves; nut somewhat obovoid, bluntly triquetrous, subacute. Hab.—Chatham Islands: W. Martin! I have seen only a single specimen, but it is well grown and in good condition. When better known the above description may need amendment. Carex Martini sp. nov. Culmi 9–18 dcm. (3–6 ft.) alti, robusti erecti triquetri leves; folia culmos multum superantia, sublate lincaria, a medio 1–1.4 cm. (½ in.) lata, plerumque plana, striata levia, in apices longos filiformes producta; bracteae foliis similes, multo angustiores, culmi florigeri 3–6 dcm. (14 in.) longi; spiculae 8–12 angustae, longitudine variabiles, 5–8 cm. (2–3 in.) longae, saepe aggregatae, pedicellis axillaribus valde inaequalibus; 4 summae masculae, reliquae femineae supra ± masculae; glumae perangustae, ovato-lanceolatae, utriculos multum excedentes, in aristam glabram productae; styli 3; utriculi ovato-elliptici, duplo longiores quam lati, in rostrum gracile sublongum angustati, tenuiter biconvexi, utrinque ± costati, colore viridi cinerascenti maculosi; nux ovoidea. Culms 3–6 ft. high, stout, erect, sharply and unequally triquetrous, smooth; leaves far exceeding culms, long-sheathing, linear, 1–1.4 cm. (½ in.) wide at middle, keeled at and near base, flat for most of their length, smooth, coarsely striated above, more finely and closely so beneath, produced into long gently narrowed filiform tips, midrib little conspicuous above, edges smooth, bracts like the leaves but much narrower; flowering culm 3.6 dcm. (14 in.) long; spikelets 8–12 (counting the aggregated ones separately), narrow, 5–8 cm. (2–3 in.) long, variable in length; peduncles nearly as long as spikelets, several just exserted from sheaths, frequently aggregated when pedicels vary greatly in length, the shorter spikelets having shorter pedicels; topmost 4 (rarely compound) male, the others female with a considerable tuft of males at top of each, the lowermost distant; glumes very narrow, ovate-lanceolate, longer than utricles, continued into a smooth pale awn, entire or wavy at edges, midrib inconspicuous; utricles ovate-elliptic, twice as long as wide, shortly stipitate, thinly biconvex, two lateral nerves prominent with several finer ones on both faces, narrowed into a moderately long slender straight beak not or scarcely bifid, mottled with greenish-grey; nut ovoid. Hab.—Wet and swampy stations at Chatham Islands: W. Martin!

This is a very fine plant. Its range in height may be even greater than here stated. In any case, 6 ft. is the extreme height observed, and such specimens are probably very uncommon. The tallest plant seen grew near the edge of a lagoon and in water of some depth. Carex McClurgii sp. nov. Culmi 6–8 cm. (2 ¼–3 in.) alti, graciles triquetri leves, folia paullo superantes; folia angusta, a medio 5.2 mm. lata, prope basim carinata vel ± complicata, a parte superiore plana, tenuia, levia striata, a marginibus subscaberula, in apices longos filiformes producta; spiculae ad 8; duae ultimae perdistantes, tenuiter pedicellatae, reliquae a culmo summo approximatae, plerumque sessiles; suprema mascula 3–6 cm. longa, reliquae femineae sed ab apicibus ± masculae; glumae utriculos aequantes, tenues acutae pallidae, ovato-lanceolateae, vix aristatae, ab apicibus ± laceratae; styli 3; utriculi anguste elliptici, breviter stipitati, biconvexi vel ± subtriangulares, nervis duobus firmis ac compluribus subtilioribus percursi; rostrum sensim angustatum in apicem acutum breviter vel vix bidentatum. Culms 6–8 cm. (2 ¼ in.) high, slender, triquetrous, smooth, somewhat exceeding the leaves; leaves narrow, 5.2 mm. wide at middle, below keeled or more or less complicate, for the most part flat, thin, smooth, slightly harsh along margins, striate, drawn out into long filiform tips; midrib prominent below; spikelets 8, 3–6 cm. (1 ¼ in.) long, rather thin, the two lowermost far apart on long delicate largely ensheathed peduncles, the remainder closely placed near top of culm; topmost male, rather long, the rest female with some male flowers at tops, sessile or nearly so; bracts like the leaves and as long; glumes about equalling utricles, very thin, ovate-lanceolate, acute, pale straw-coloured, awnless or nearly so, more or less lacerate at tops; styles 3; utricles narrow elliptic, shortly stipitate, biconvex or subtriangular, with two strong lateral nerves and numerous finer ones; rostrum gently narrowed to the acute shortly or barely bidentate beak; nut oblong, obtusely trigonous. Hab.—Chatham Islands: W. Martin! January, 1924. Mr. Martin obtained a great deal of important help and information about the island plants from Mr. McClurg, who knows almost all the native plants, with their Moriori names. Carex rekohu sp. nov. Culmi ad 54 cm. (20 in.) alti, obtuse trigoni leves; folia culmos aequantia, a medio c. 10 mm. lata, coriacea vel subcoriacea, pro parte majore complicata et a marginibus recurva, raro apicem versus plana, in apices filiformes angustata; bracteae foliis consimiles ac aequilongae. Spiculae ad 10, 4 supremae masculae sessiles valde approximatae, sub-crassae; reliquae foemineae saepe compositae a parte terminali ± masculae, infima 6.5 cm. (2 ½ in.) longa, longe pedunculata, crassior distans, superiorum pedunculi breviores, 2 vel 3 summae sessiles; glumae utriculos aequantes, alte bifidi, nervo medio pallido percursae, costa media in aristam hispidam pallidam producta; utriculi anguste obcuneati, rostrum subconicum brevissime bifidum, nervi laterales duo validi, caeteri obscuri et saepe paene obsoleti. Nux obtusa trigona anguste oblonga. Culms up to 54 cm. (20 in.) high, obtusely trigonous, smooth, moderately stout; leaves about as long as culms, c. 10 mm. wide at middle, gradually tapering to filiform tips, complicate and more or less recurved at

edges, rarely flat in terminal third, smooth deeply striate, midrib prominent below; bracts like the leaves and as long, the lowermost long sheathing. Spikelets usually 10, the four topmost male, sessile, very closely placed, rather stout, the others female with some male flowers at tips, lowermost 6.5 cm. (2 ½ in.) long, long pedunculate, stout, distant, those above with shorter pedicels, the two or three topmost sessile; glumes about equalling utricles, rather narrow-oblong, bifid above, with one strong median nerve a dark brown strip on either side with pale margins, midrib prolonged into a pale hispid awn as long as glumes. Styles 3. Utricles narrow obcuneate, stipitate, sharply contracted at tip into a conical very shortly bifid beak with very short erect teeth, polished and when mature almost black, with two strong lateral nerves and several faint and almost obsolete nervures between. Nut bluntly trigonous, narrow-oblong. Hab.—Chatham Islands: W. Martin! The specimens collected January, 1924, were much overripe, and most of the glumes and utricles had fallen off. Carex rotoensis sp. nov. Calmi 15 cm. (6 in.) longi, teretes graciliores leves; folia culmos paene aequantia, linearia, infra ± complicata plerumque plana, striata, a medio 3 mm. lata, marginibus apices versus tenuiter scabridis; spiculae 6, distantes sessiles, c. 5 mm. (¾–¼ in.) longae, sursum regulariter abbreviatae, pallidae, ultima breviter pedicellata; summa mascula 11 cm. (1 ¼ in.) longa, reliquae femineae; glumae utriculos superantes, ovato-lanceolatae acutae, plerumque integrae, a medio pallidae a marginibus subfuscae vix mucronatae; styli 3; utriculi plano-convexi vel subtriquetri, haud vel vix stipitati, ovoidei politi, enerves vel nervis perobscuris; rostrum moderate breve sublate bifidum; nux triqueter. Culms 6 in. long, terete, rather slender, smooth; leaves numerous, about as long as culms, the outermost short and scale-like, acute or acuminate, strongly striate; older ones linear complicate or keeled below, flat for most of their length, 3 mm. broad at middle, finely scabrid along edges of upper part, narrowed into fine points; spikelets 6, distantly placed save at tops of culms, sessile or the lowermost shortly pedicellate, gradually shorter upwards, ¼–¾ in. long; topmost male, 1 ¼ in. long, the others female; glumes longer than utricles, ovate-lanceolate, thin and membranous, usually entire rarely shortly bifid at or near tips, pale along the middle, more or less brown at sides, midrib prominent, scarcely mucronate; styles 3; utricles plano-convex or subtriquetrous, not or hardly stipitate, ovate, polished, nerveless or almost so; beak moderately short rather widely bifid; nut triquetrous. Hab.—Te Roto, Chatham Islands: W. Martin! Only a single specimen of this was available for examination, but it was in good condition. Further specimens may show occasion for amendments in the description. Schoenus caespitans sp. nov. Species dense caesptans depressa c. 4 cm. (1–1 ½ in.) alta. Folia a bas erecta, filiformia, culmos aequantia vel excedentia, basi ± expansa ac vaginantia; culmi foliis crassiores virides erecti; inflorescentia brevis capituliformis; capitulum parvum sublonge bracteatum, e fasciculis tribus 8–10 florigeris arcte aggregatis compositum; glumae distichae, 3 inferiores

vacuae, quarta florem hermaphroditum gerens, summa vacua raro staminifera; stamina 3; setae plerumque 3; stylus erectus supra in ramos 3 divaricantes divisus; spiculae culmique maturi haud visi. A densely-tufted depressed species 4 cm. (1 ½ in.) high, forming low patches of considerable size. Leaves numerous, filiform, glabrous, more or less involute, delicately scabrid at tips, equalling or exceeding culms, expanded below and more or less sheathing; culms twice as stout as leaves, erect, green; inflorescence compact, dark brown, composed of 2–3 subumbellate closely-placed clusters of 8–10 flowers; cluster-bracts subulate, long, green much exceeding flower-clusters; spikelets small, lanceolate, nearly sessile; glumes distichous, ovate, acute, dark brown with whitish edges and a whitish median tract along back, three lowermost empty, the fourth with a perfect flower, the fifth empty rarely staminiferous; bristles usually 3; stamens 3, sagittate; style erect with 3 strongly divaricating branches; mature culms and spikelets not seen. Sab.—Ure Valley, Marlborough: Arnold Wall! The culms probably elongate after flowering. One of the most interesting of Professor Wall's recent discoveries. Muehlenbeckia debilis sp. nov. Species M. complexae (Meissner) affinis; differt caulibus gracilioribus viridibus vel cinerascenti-viridibus, ubique glaberrimis, ramis ramulisque distantibus subdivaricatis pergracilibus, foliis multo angustioribus plerumque lineari-lanceolatis acuminatisque, floribus in spicis simplicibus dispesitis, periantho in fructu maturo herbaceo haud incrassato. A branching perfectly glabrous shrub, forming low widespreading more or less entangled scrambling sheets in moist stations, or broad erect and finally pendulous dense rush-like tufts on gravelly terraces (where they are usually much eaten back by stock). Stems up to 15 dcm. (38 in.) long in moist stations, much shorter on gravelly terraces, slender, tough, terete, striate, green or greyish-green, quite glabrous, giving off (in the scrambling form) numerous distant very slender alternate subdivaricating branches and branchlets, with rather long simple ultimate flower-bearing twigs; leaves chiefly on ultimate twigs, more or less distant, usually linear-lanceolate and acuminate, entire, 10–20 mm. (7 13/16 in.) long (rarely shorter and contracted about the middle with rather wide basal lobes), suddenly narrowed into slender petioles about ⅓ as long as the blades; sheathing stipules conspicuous, thin, yellowish, more or less persistent. Spikes axillary and terminal, simple, narrow, 3–4 cm. (1 ½ in.) long in male plants, shorter in female ones; flowers closely placed, alternate, almost sessile in axils of broad subacute yellowish sheathing scales, small, dioecious; males with 8 stamens and perianth deeply cut into semihyaline narrow-oblong obtuse divisions; females with somewhat broader perianth-lobes, 8 staminodia and sparingly fimbriate stigmas; fruiting perianth not enlarged or succulent; nut black and shining, deeply triquetrous. Hab.—On low gravelly terraces and the immediate banks and rocky faces of the Awatere and Grey Rivers, close to the Homestead of Upcot Station, Middle Awatere, Marlborough. Flowers in February. Male plants seem to be much more plentiful than female ones. This may be due to the general absence of flowers on the plants scattered over the gravelly terraces, most of which are eaten back to below the level at which the inflorescence appears.

Ranunculus Carsei sp. nov. Speciés parva prostrata sparse pilosa; culmi complures pro plantae mangitudine robustiores; petioli graciles ± 1.7 cm. longi, basi vaginantes, vaginis copiose pilosis; laminae 6 mm. latae 5 mm. altae, laeves, forma variabiles, plerumque late triangulares 3-lobatae, lobis varie divisis; flores in anthesi parvi axillares sessiles, maturorum pedicellis ad 2 cm. productis; sepala 5 laevia 1-nervia, scariosa ovata; petala pauca (2 vel 3 ut videtur), longiuscula anguste obcuneata; stamina pauca; achenia parva late obovata, biconvexa, ± atro-fusca; rostrum perbreve erectum. A small prostrate sparsely-pilose plant growing on dripping rocks or similar wet situations. Roots numerous, slender; stems several, short, c. 5 cm. (2 in.) long, rather stout for size of plant; leaves on slender petioles 1.7 cm. (⅝ in.) long, petioles expanded and sheathing at base, sheaths copiously pilose; blades 6 mm. broad, 5 mm. long, thin, variable in cutting, general outline broadly triangular usually deeply 3-lobed, lobes more or less subdivided, terminal lobe sometimes cut like the main lamina; flowers small, axillary, at anthesis sessile or nearly so, in fruit with peduncles longer than the petioles; sepals 5, thin, glabrous, scarious, 1-nerved, ovate, somewhat boat-shaped; petals few (apparently 2–3), rather long narrow-obcuneate, upper part bright yellow; stamens few, anthers small and terminating filaments; achenes small, broadly ovate biconvex, upper parts more or less mottled with blackish brown; beak straight, inconspicuous. Hab.—Mounts Tongariro, near the base: H. Carse! Flowers in January. A very peculiar and distinct species. It has no close ally in the New Zealand species of the genus known to me. Notothlaspi rosulatum (Hk. f.) var. Hursthousei var. nov. Planta c. 22 cm. (8–9 in.) alta, purpurata, quam forma typica altior ac robustior, a basi inflorescentiae emittens supra folia c. 12 graciles breviores paucifloros ramos; flores subflavidi, petalis purpureo ± tinctis. Plant 8–9 in. high, everywhere purplish, longer and stouter than the typical form; radical leaves very numerous, long-petiolate; from base of the ordinary terminal inflorescence about 12 slender rather few-flowered branches spread out just above leaves; main axis of inflorescence 6.7 in. long, erect, flowers and capsules closely crowded throughout its length; flowers cream-coloured, tips of petals tinged with purple; capsules larger than in type. Hab.—Shingly Range near Molesworth Station, Upper Awatere, Marlborough: F. H. Hursthouse! Only a single specimen of this remarkable form has been seen by me, and when better known it may prove worthy of specific rank. Mr. Hursthouse, who is an excellent observer, writes: “It grows at a height of about 4,000 ft. on shingly faces that are visible from Molesworth Homestead. There were many fine specimens, like the one I have sent, which stood up like little manikins on the bare shingle.” Further specimens will be awaited with interest. Pimelea laevigata Gaert. var. monticola var. nov. Rami numerosi a radicibus quoquoversus sublate patentes, graciles, decumbentes, haud vel vix radicantes; ramulis multum subdivisis, pilis

sericeis brevibus subdense vestitis; folia ± patentia, oblongo-elliptica, sub-acuta, paene sessilia, glabra, latitudine quam longitudine dimidio minore, costa media infra conspicua; flores colore subpuniceo ± tincti. Branches numerous, spreading widely all round from top of roots, slender decumbent or almost prostrate, glabrous in lower parts; branchlets much subdivided and clothed rather closely with short silky hairs; leaves smooth, patent, oblong-elliptic subacute, almost sessile, glabrous, about ½ as wide as long; midrib conspicuous on under side; flowers stained with pink, floral leaves slightly larger than cauline. Hab.—Hauhungatahi, Waimarino Plateau, c. 3,800 ft.: H. Carse and H. B. Matthews! Mount Tongariro: B. C. Aston! Originally sent me by Mr. B. C. Aston, who considered it a new species. It is, however, very close to Gaertner's species, and is for the present ranked only as a variety. It is always a plant of more open growth with leaves much less glossy than in the type. Nothopanax McIntyrei sp. nov. Arbor subhumilis ± glaber paene a basi fastigiate ramosus. Folia alterna, coriacea, satis distantia, trifoliolata; petioli ad 3.5 cm. (1 ½ in.) longi; foliola petiolos breviter superantia, sessilia, elliptica, laete viridia supra, infra pallidiora, ad basim gradatim attenuata, acute ac subconferte serrata, subacuta, costa media evidens supra infraque. Inflorescentia umbellata, axillaris (rarius terminalis); rami principales plerumque solitarii erecti graciles, in ramos secundarios complures divaricantes 2 cm. (¾ in.) longos divisi, denuo subdivisi in umbellulas minores 18 mm. (¾ in.) latas, flores parvos breviter pedicellatos 6–8 gerentes. Styli 2; fructus maturus suborbicularis, ± complanatus, c. 5 mm. diam. A rather glabrous small tree, fastigiately branched from near the ground. Bark blackish-brown; leaves alternate, rather distant, trifoliolate, dark green above paler below; petioles about 3.5 cm. (1 ½ in.) long (sheaths short stem-clasping); leaflets coriaceous, slightly longer than petioles, sessile or nearly so, elliptic, gradually narrowed to base, sharply and coarsely serrate for ⅔ their length, subacute, midrib evident above and below, nerves obscure. Inflorescence umbellate in axils of upper leaves, more rarely terminal, dioecious; primary branch usually solitary and erect, divided into several (6 or fewer) strongly divaricating secondary branches, which are again subdivided into smaller umbellules bearing 6–8 shortly pedicellate flowers. Styles 2, short, slender; male flowers not seen; mature fruits suborbicular flattened, 5 mm. in diameter. Hab.—Grown in Dr. Hunter's garden at Mornington, Dunedin, and said to have come from Westland: W. A. Thomson. Mr. Thomson has transmitted specimens of this to me. The species is named in honour of Mr. J. W. McIntyre, who has had charge of the above garden for many years, and has had great success in growing alpine and other rare plants sent on from time to time by Mr. H. J. Matthews, by whom this fine garden of native plants was established. The pieces seen all belong to the female plant. It has been in the garden nineteen years, and is now a small tree about 8 ft. high. The trunk just above the ground is 15 in. in circumference. Several young plants have grown up near its base.

Aciphylla Crosby-Smithii Petrie

Aciphylla Crosby-Smithii Petrie

Aciphylla Crosby-Smithii Petrie. (Plates 2,3.) A preliminary notice of this species was published in Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 47, p. 48. Thanks to the kindness of Mr. James Speden, of Gore, and Mr. H. L. Darton, of Lawrence, a full-grown plant (not in flower) has been obtained, which is shown herewith in two photographs of different scales. It is thus possible to add some important particulars to the original notice. The natural size of the whole plant is 14 in. by 11 in., and each of the six rosettes is 5 in. in diameter. Stem erect from root, nearly as thick as a man's thumb, short (c. 8 in.); main branches 3 approximate, the lowermost about 2 in. up stem, subdivided above and nearly as stout as stem, closely covered with more or less withered leaves and ending in large rather flattened or rounded rosettes or heads each 4 in. or 5 in. across, and covered with very numerous most densely compacted leaves. Leaves spreading all round, about 3 in. long, the lower half broadly sheathing, sheaths very thin and glabrous, basal spines like the leaflets; leaflets in 3 to 5 pairs, linear-oblong sub-acute with a short abrupt pungent mucro, channelled above, 1-nerved, thickened at the margins. Flowering-stem rather thin (c. 5 mm. in diameter), about 8 in. high, brownish-red, deeply striate; involucral scales thin and flaccid, sheaths longer than leaf-like part; primary umbels numerous, slender, about 1 in. long; secondary small with many almost filiform pedicels; fruits all shed and no flowers seen. Hab.—Princess Range, Fiord County, c. 4,600 ft.: James Speden! H. L. Darton! A most remarkable plant, as the photographs sufficiently show. It probably flowers but rarely. No known native Aciphylla resembles it in habit of growth. The old flowering-stems came from other plants than those shown in the illustrations. Schizeilema Allanii sp. nov. Species S. pallidae (Domin) consimilis; differt rhizomate longiore, foliis multo majoribus semiorbicularibus infra pallidis; petioles multo longioribus a marginibus subcartilagineis; umbellis plerumque duabus raro singulis vel tribus; fructibus majoribus, foliis involucratibus apicem versus ± dilatatis. A matted pale-green perfectly glabrous plant very similar to S. pallida (Domin); rhizome up to 5.3 cm. (12 in.) long, slender, flaccid, with 1 to 3 distant rooting-nodes generally more or less leafy; radical leaves not numerous, petioles rather slender flaccid brownish, up to 6 in. long; blades semiorbicular in outline, 3.8 cm. (1 ¼ in.) wide, ¾ in. long, more or less polished, rather pale green above much lighter below, little coriaceous, variable in cutting, usually trifoliolate but sometimes only more or less deeply trifid or tripartite at tips, segments obcuneate usually with 3 to 4 shallow rather broad subcrenate indentations at tips, margins thinly cartilaginous, slightly incurved when dried, veins obscure above evident below; peduncles rather distant, almost filiform, shorter than petioles, the primary at first terminal, later overtooped by a decumbent branch from the axil of a small entire or trifid bract, the same formation being repeated a second or even a third time, secondary umbellules occasionally present; peduncles short very slender, pedicels nearly as long capillary; involucral leaves linear somewhat expanded near tips; flowers 8–12 in

each umbel; fruits (still rather immature) shortly and broadly oblong, obtusely 4-angled, deeply furrowed at commisures. Hab.—Maharahara Mountain, near south end of Ruahine Range: H. H. Allan! I have to thank Dr. Allan for a good series of specimens. Gentiana Spedeni sp. nov. Planta perennis erecta glaberrima, culmos solitarios longiusculos gerens; folia radicalia numerosa, conferta, arcte imbricantia, subrosulata spathulata integra, 1 cm. (¼–⅝ in.) longa; pars petiolaris quam lamina bis terve longior, lamina ovata subacuta, parum coriacea, integra, nervo medio evidente supra infraque, cetera enervia; folia caulina 8–10 mm. longa in paribus duobus distantibus disposita, pari superiore ⅓ culmi longitudinem aequante; culmus simplex teres pergracilis, 14 cm. (5 ¼ in.) longus; bracteae florales 4, sessiles ovatae congestae; flores 4 pedunculati, pedunculi 7 mm. (c. 1 ½ in.) longi, ex bractearum axillis editi. Calyx alte in lobos 5 angustos acutos sectus; petala 5 calyce ⅓ longiora, late obovata obtusa, venis subparallelis purpureis percursa; pistillum apice 2-lobatum. Capsula haud visa. A slender glabrous plant with solitary culms, numerous subrosulate spathulate radical leaves, and terminal umbel-like clusters of 3 or 4 flowers. Base of stem nearly horizontal, slender, naked, closely scarred, dark brown; radical leaves crowded, overlapping, entire, 1 cm. (¼–⅝ in.) long; petiolar part 2–3 times as long as the laminar, flattened; lamina ovate, subacute, little coriaceous, entire, nerveless but for the evident midrib; cauline leaves in 2 pairs, the lower a little above the radical, the second ⅓ way up the stem, small, subsessile; stem simple, terete, very slender, 14 cm. (5 ¼ in.) high; bracts 4, crowded, obovate, sessile, each subtending a flower; flowers 4, forming a terminal cluster 1.5 cm. (c. ½ in.) long; peduncles almost capillary, about equalling the flowers; calyx cut almost to the base into 5 broadly-linear acute segments; petals ⅓ longer than calyx, broadly obovate, traversed by numerous subparallel “purplish or violet” (J. Speden) veins; stamens ¼ length of pistil, filaments about equalling anthers; pistil shortly two-lobed at top. Hab.—Princess Range, Fiord County, c. 4,000 ft.: James Speden! Early January, 1924; rare. Only a single plant of this very beautiful and distinct species has been seen. Mr. Speden reports that only a few plants were observed, and that flowering ones were extremely rare. It would probably make a fine garden-plant. Gentiana amabilis sp. nov. Herba nana, ad 4–5 cm. (2 ¾ in.) alta, perennis (?), in locis palustribus crescens. Caules solitarii, a radice erecti vel ± flexuosi, flores singulos terminales gerentes; folia radicalia subspathulata; laminae 1.5 cm. (⅝ in.) longae 6 mm. latae, anguste ellipticae, tenues subacutae, in petiolos ± aequilongos ± complanatos angustatae; caulina sessilia, in paribus duobus subdistantibus disposita; flores magni albi, 1.8 cm. (¾ in.) longitudine ac latitudine; calyx corolla dimidio brevior; corolla alte secta, lobis late obovatis; stamina corolla dimidio breviora, antheris ± complanatis ac basim versus dilatatis; pistillum in anthesi staminis aequilongum; stigma breviter bifidum.

A dwarf herb 4.5 cm. high, perennial (?), growing in boggy ground. Stems solitary, slender, dark brown, erect or more or less flexuous, often laterally placed through rapid growth of a side shoot (rarely once divided and bearing 2 flowers); radical leaves subspathulate, with narrow more or less elliptic thin acute entire blades, 1.5 cm. (⅝ in.) long and 6 mm. wide, and somewhat flattened slightly expanded at base; petioles equalling blades or shorter; cauline in 2 rather distant pairs, narrower and smaller, sessile or nearly so; flowers solitary, terminal, large for so small a plant, white, 1.8 cm. (¾ in.) long and as wide; calyx scarcely half as long as corolla, cut half-way down into broad-based acute lobes; corolla deeply divided, segments broadly obovate; stamens half as long as corolla; anthers flattened and expanding below; pistil about equalling stamens; stigma shortly 2-lobed. Hab.—Bogs at the top of Mount Tennyson, Garvie Range, Southland, 4,800 ft.: W. A. Thomson! Mr. Thomson has supplied a good series of specimens, which are most uniform in their characters. × Veronica Bishopiana species hybrida nova. (V. salicifolia Forst. × V. obtusata Cheeseman.) Frutex humilis habitus aperti; caules c. 60 cm. alti, infra secundum solum patentes ac saepe a nodis radicantes, deinde ascendentes vel ± erecti, graciles apices versus purpurei ± ramosi; folia decussata anguste lanceolato-elliptica, 5–8 cm. (3 in.) longa c. 2 cm. (⅘ in.) lata, glabra sessilia acuta; racemi e foliorum superiorum axillis, infra nudi, graciles glabri, 8–11 cm. (4 in.) longi; flores dense congesti, breviter pedicellati; stamina stylique longe exserti corollam duplo superantes; capsulae subparvae deflexae ovoideo-ellipticae. A straggling low shrub of open habit growing on bare or mossy rocks. Stems about 2 ft. high, several spreading more or less closely to the ground and often rooting at nodes, then ascending or nearly erect, slender, glabrous, dark purple, considerably branched near extremities; branches spreading at a wide angle, not further subdivided; leaves decussate, moderately distant, narrow lanceolate-elliptic, 2–3 in. long, ½–¾ in. broad, glabrous, sessile, sharply acute; racemes in the axils of the upper leaves, naked below slender glabrous, 3–4 ½ in. long, about ½ in. broad; flowers closely crowded, shortly pedicellate, rather small; stamens and styles strongly exserted, twice as long as corolla; capsules rather small, deflexed, ovoid-elliptic. Hab.—Rocky knobs between Huia Hill and Little Huia, near Manukau North Heads: J. J. Bishop! H. Carse! E. Jenkins! April, 1924. Mr. Bishop has had this plant in cultivation for several years, having transferred young wild plants to his garden, where its position and relations have hitherto puzzled observers. Both the parent species grow on the coast west of the Waitakerei Range as far as Manukau Heads, V. salicifolia being much the more plentiful. V. obtusata, in this district, grows on coastal cliffs and on rocky hummocks in the forest often some way back from the sea. Euphrasia Hectori sp. nov. Rami complures a radice patentes ac radicantes, 8 cm. (3 in.) longi vel ultra, ramulos complures laterales breves e foliorum axillis edentes;

folia in paribus oppositis disposita, ± approximata punctata, anguste obovata, subspathulata, connata, culmos ± vaginantia, sub apice obtuse breviterque 3-dentata, obtusa; culmus florigerus ascendens, deinde erectus; bracteae sessiles, in paribus duobus distantibus dispositae, subtriangulares apicibus breviter 3-lobae; flores majusculi, solitarii, ex superiorum bractearum axillis orientes; pedicellis capillaribus simplicibus, ± pendulis; calyx corollae tubo lato ¼ brevior, ad medium in segmenta obtusa 4 secta; corollae labium superius alte 3-loba, inferius fere ad basim 2-laba, lobis obtusis; capsula anguste ovata, acuta; pistillum capsulam subaequans. Branches several from the root, spreading and rooting, 8 cm. (3 in.) long or more, light brown, terete, glabrous, giving off short lateral branches from axils of leaves and terminating in a slender ascending or erect inflorescence; leaves in opposite pairs 1.5 cm. (½ in.) apart or less, narrow obovate-spathulate, connate, and stem-clasping at base; petiolar part thin, rather broad, flat or slightly incurved at scantily ciliate edges, about ½ as long as entire leaf; laminar part thicker, narrow obovate with 2 shallow rounded teeth near obtuse tip, punctate on both surfaces, glabrous, vivid green above, paler below, the edges slightly recurved; midrib evident above and below; flowering-stems erect or ascending from the ends of branches, very slender, dark brown; cauline leaves in 3–4 distant pairs, sessile or the lowermost nearly so, coriaceous, subtriangular shortly 3-lobed at tips; flowers large, springing singly from axils of uppermost bracts, pedicels capillary about 2.5 cm. (1 in.) long, dark, simple, drooping more or less; calyx about ¾ as long as the broad corolla-tube, cut halfway down into 4 oblong obtuse segments; corolla white, large, 2 cm. (¾ in.) long and nearly as broad, upper lip deeply 3-lobed, lobes obtuse, lower 2-lobed to base, lobes obtuse; capsules (rather immature) as long as sepals, narrow ovate acute; pistil about equalling capsule; seeds not seen. Hab.—Haast Valley, South Westland: R. A. Wilson! The specimen described is incomplete, but the characters above set forth show it to be very distinct. The specimen was forwarded to me by Mr. B. C. Aston, F.N.Z.Inst.