N.Z. Fl. 175. G. Colensoi, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 162. G. divergens, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xx. (1888) 198. G. subcorymbosa, Col. l.c. xxii. (1890) 476. G. glandulosa, Col. l.c. xxviii. (1896) 600. G. calycina, Col. l.c. xxxi. (1899) 274. Andromeda rupestris, Forst. Prodr. n. 195; A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 208, t. 27.
A highly variable plant, the numerous forms of which are best arranged under two heads, as under:—
Var. lanceolata.—Leaves large, oblong-lanceolate or obovate-lanceolate, acute, branches glabrous or more or less pubescent or setose.
Var. parvifolia.—Leaves smaller and broader, oblong or oblong-ovate to orbicular-ovate; branches glabrous or rarely pubescent.
North and South Islands: Not uncommon in hilly and mountainous districts from the Thames goldfields southwards. Sea-level to 5000 ft. November–February.
Some forms of this come very close to G. antipoda in foliage, but can always be distinguished by the truly racemose inflorescence.
4. G. fagifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 162.—An erect much-branched shrub 4–5 ft. high; branches spreading or ascending, rigid, younger ones more or less setose. Leaves alternate or subopposite, shortly petiolate, ½–1 in. long, oblong or ovate-oblong to broadly ovate, acute or subacute, cordate at the base, crenate-serrate, very thick and coriaceous, both surfaces finely reticulated, quite glabrous. Racemes axillary and terminal, ½–2 in. long, sometimes compound. Flowers white. Calyx-lobes ovate, acute, remaining unaltered in all the fruiting specimens I have seen.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 175.
North Island: Near Rotorua, Rev. F. H. Spencer! Rotokakahi, G. Mair! Motukino, near Lake Taupo, Colenso! Kirk! 1000–2000 ft. January.
This appears to me to be a mere form of G. rupestris verging towards G. oppositifolia, or possibly a hybrid between the two plants.
5. G. oppositifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 162, t. 43.—A much-branched shrub 2–8 ft. high; branches spreading, glabrous or sparingly setose. Leaves opposite, sessile or nearly so, sometimes stem-clasping, 1½–2½ in. long or more, ovate or oblong-ovate, acute or obtuse, cordate at the base, crenate-serrate, very thick and coriaceous, both surfaces finely reticulated, glabrous or sparingly minutely setulose. Racemes axillary and terminal, the latter often compound, forming broad terminal panicles 2–4 in. long, with opposite spreading branches. Flowers very numerous, white, about ⅙ in. long. Calyx-lobes ovate-triangular, acute, remaining unaltered in all the fruiting specimens I have seen. Capsule dry.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 175. G. multibracteolata, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxiv. (1892) 389.
