flat above, convex on the back; sheath usually longer and broader than the blade, membranous, silky or villous. Head sunk among the leaves at the tip of the branch, very rarely exserted, ½–1 in. diam.; involucral bracts few, linear-subulate, scarious, cottony or the inner glabrate. Rays few, narrow, spreading. Achene silky.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 292.
South Island: Abundant in mountain districts throughout. Stewart Island: Summit of Mount Anglem, Kirk! 2500–5500 ft. December–January.
One of the most distinct species of the genus, often forming extensive carpets in open places on the mountains, easily recognised from a distance by the peculiar greenish-grey colour. Mr. Kirk's var. pedunculata is only a form in which the peduncle elongates after flowering.
39. C. argentea, T. Kirk, Students' Fl. 292.—Habit of C. sessiliflora, but more slender and much more branched; branches longer, 2–5 in., erect, ¼–½ in. diam. Leaves numerous, crowded, densely imbricated, ¼–½ in. long including the sheath, 130 in. wide, linear-subulate, acute or subacute, coriaceous, flat or concave above, rounded on the back; sheaths longer and much broader than the blade, membranous, clothed with long silky hairs on the margins and back but often nearly glabrous in front. Head ¼–½ in. diam., deeply sunk among the leaves at the tip of the branch; involucral bracts few, linear, glabrate or slightly silky. Rays few, short. Achene silky.—C. sessiliflora var. minor, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv. (1883) 359.
South Island: Otago—Summit of Maungatua, Petrie! Stewart Island: Mount Anglem, Rakiahua, Smith's Lookout, Kirk! 500–3500 ft. December–January.
Closely allied to C. sessiliflora, but I think distinct.
40. C. bellidioides, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 135.—Rootstock much-branched, prostrate; branches numerous, much-divided, creeping and rooting at the base, erect at the tips. Leaves usually close-set, spreading, ¼–⅓ in. long, 18–16 in. broad, linear-oblong or linear-spathulate, obtuse, gradually narrowed into rather short cottony petioles, coriaceous, veinless, green and glabrous on both surfaces; margins flat, entire or obscurely toothed. Scapes from near the tips of the branches, slender, 1–2 in. long, glabrous or slightly cottony; bracts numerous, leafy. Head ¾ in. diam.; involucral bracts few, narrow linear-oblong, acute or subacute, green with usually purple margins, glabrous. Rays numerous, spreading. Achene densely silky.—Kirk, Students Fl. 292.
South Island: Mountain districts from Nelson to the south of Otago, but often local. Usually on wet rocks or on shingle through which water flows. 2000–5000 ft. December–January.
A very distinct species, at once recognised by the glabrous branching habit, linear-spathulate green and almost fleshy leaves, and numerous leafy bracts.
