equalling the petals. Stigma clavate. Capsules ¾–1½ in. long, uniformly clothed with pale-grey pubescence; peduncles elongating much as the fruit ripens, 1–2 in. long or more. Seeds papillose.—Raoul, Choix, 49; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 59; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 79; Haussk. Monog. Epilob. 298, t. 23, f. 97. E. thymifollam, R. Cunn. ex A. Cunn. Precur. n. 539; Haussk. l.c. 297.
North and South Islands, Chatham Islands, Stewart Island, Antipodes Island: Abundant throughout, ascending to 2500 ft. November–February.
The small size and slender often prostrate habit, uniform roundish palegreen leaves, small flowers collected near the ends of the branche, long peduncles, and evenly pubescent capsules are the best marks of this common plant.
11. E. chloræfolium, Haussk. in Oestr. Bot. Zeitschr. xxix. (1879) 149.—Stems 6–18 in. high, stout or slender, usually much branched at the base but sometimes almost simple, decumbent or arcuate below, ascending or erect above, terete, glabrous except two pubescent lines decurrent from the margins of the petioles. Leaves opposite, remote, ⅓–¾ in. long, broadly ovate to ovateoblong, obtuse or rarely subacute, rounded or slightly cordate at the base, glabrous or nearly so, remotely denticulate or sinuate-tootbed; petioles short, broad, pubescent. Flowers in the axils of the uppermost leaves, rather large, white or rose, ⅓ in. diam. Calyx-lobes ovate-lanceolate, acute, much shorter than the petals; stigma oblong-capitate. Capsules 1–2 in. long, sparsely pubescent; peduncles longer than the leaves. Seeds papillose.—Monog. Epilob. 299, t. 19, f. 81; Kirk, Students' Fl. 172. E. perplexum, Kirk, l.c. 170.
North Island: Mount Hikurangi, East Cape, Petrie! Lee; Ruahine Range, Colenso, Petrie! Tararua Mountains, T. P. Arnold! South Island: Not uncommon in the mountains from Nelson southwards. 2000–4500 ft. December–February.
A well-marked plant, but at the same time a very variable one, especially in height, degree of branching, size of flowers and capsules, &c. Mr. Kirk's E. perplexum is merely a luxuriant form, and cannot be separated even as a variety, as the inspection of any large series of specimens will at once show.
12. E. insulare, Haussk. Monog. Epilob. 300.—Stems 6–18 in. high, slender, weak and flaccid, sparingly branched, creeping and rooting at the base, ascending or suberect towards the tips, often glabrous below, usually thinly pubescent above. Leaves opposite, the upper alternate, distant, ½–¾ in. long, ovate or oblong-ovate, obtuse or subacute, very shortly petioled, thin and membranous, glabrous or nearly so, entire or obscurely sinuate-toothed. Elowers in the axils of the uppermost leaves, small, erect, white. Calyx-lobes oblong-lanceolate, apiculate, shorter than the petals. Stigma clavate. Capsules 1–2 in. long, slenier, pubescent or glabrate. Seeds smooth.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 173.
