This has the corymbose inflorescence of V. diosmæfolia, but differs altogether in the stout spreading or decumbent habit, much larger broader leaves, and in the calyx and corolla.
20. V. venustula, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 393.—A small compact bushy shrub 6–9 in. high; branchlets short, numerous. Leaves close-set, decussate, spreading, shortly petiolate, ½–¾ in. long, ¼ in. broad, oblong or elliptic-ovate, acute, coriaceous, flat or slightly concave, not keeled, dark-green and glabrous; midrib prominent beneath, excurrent; margins entire. Racemes terminal, much branched, forming a terminal many-flowered corymb 2 in. diam.; pedicels slender, puberulous; bracts lanceolate, acute, equalling the pedicels. Flowers white, ¼–⅓ in. diam. Calyx deeply 4-partite; segments ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute. Corolla-tube funnel-shaped, rather longer than the calyx; limb 4-lobed; lobes subequal, broadly ovate, obtuse. Capsule ¼ in. long, broadly ellipsoid, obtuse, more than twice as long as the calyx.
North Island: Hawke's Bay—Eastern side of the Ruahine Range, County of Waipawa, A. Olsen!
Of this species I have only seen two small scraps, but these both agree in the very distinct character of the inflorescence, which forms a dense terminal corymb similar to that of V. diosmæfolia, from which plant it differs totally in the leaves, calyx, and corolla. Mr. N. E. Brown, who has examined some specimens forwarded to Kew by Colenso, also states that it is "a very distinct species near to V. diosmæfolia." It is curious that so far it has escaped the notice of any collector except Mr. Olsen.
21. V. diosmæfolia, R. Cunn. in Bot. Mag. sub. t. 3461.—A small much-branched shrub, usually from 2–5 ft. high, but sometimes attaining a height of 15 ft., with a slender trunk 4–6 in. diam.; branches glabrous or puberulous, ringed with the scars of the fallen leaves. Leaves close-set, spreading or suberect, shortly petioled, ½–1 in. long, ⅛–⅙ in. broad, linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, straight or slightly falcate, acute, entire or with 2–4 minute incisions on each side near the apex, coriaceous, dark-green above, paler and often slightly keeled by the midrib beneath, veinless. Racemes about 1 in. long, peduncled, corymbosely branched, usually near the tips of the branches, but sometimes lateral; rhachis and pedicels slender, puberulous; bracts shorter than the pedicels. Flowers about ¼ in. diam., white or pale lavender-blue. Calyx usually 3-partite with the upper segment broader and 2-fid, rarely equally 4-partite. Corolla-tube short, funnel-shaped, not much longer than the calyx; limb 4-lobed, the posticous lobe the largest. Capsule ⅙ in. long, ovoid, turgid, about twice as long as the calyx.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 381; Raoul, Choix, 43; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 193; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 209; Armstr.
