Order XLIII. EPACRIDEÆ.
Shrubs or rarely small trees. Leaves alternate, seldom opposite, often crowded or imbricate, rigid, entire or sometimes serrulate, often longitudinally nerved; stipules wanting. Flowers regular, hermaphrodite, axillary or terminal, solitary or in spikes or racemes. Calyx inferior, 4–5-partite, or of 4–5 free sepals; divisions persistent, coriaceous, striate, imbricate. Corolla gamopetalous, hypogynous, 4–5-lobed or -partite. Stamens 4–5, hypogynous or inserted on the tube or throat of the corolla; anthers 1-celled, opening longitudinally for their whole length. Disc surrounding the base of the ovary, cup-shaped or annular, 5-lobed or of 5 separate scales. Ovary superior, 1–10-celled but usually 5-celled; style simple, stigma usually capitate; ovules 1 or many in each cell, anatropous. Fruit either a drupe with 2–5 1-seeded pyrenes or a many-seeded capsule with loculicidal dehiscence. Seeds small, albuminous; embryo straight, axile, radicle next the hilum.
A small order, mainly separated from Ericaceæ by the 1-celled anthers with longitudinal dehiscence. It is almost wholly confined to Australia and New Zealand, a few species only being found in the Pacific islands and the Malay Archipelago, and one in temperate South America. Genera 26; species about 325. The properties of the order are unimportant, but many of the species are well worth cultivation from the beauty of their flowers. All the New Zealand genera are found in Australia.
| * Ovules solitary in each cell of the ovary. Fruit a drupe. | |
| Fruit with 5 distinct pyrenes | 1. Pentachondra. |
| Fruit with a 5-celled hard endocarp. Pedicels with numerous imbricating bracts | 2. Cyathodes. |
| Pedicels with few bracts | 3. Leucopogon. |
| ** Ovules numerous in each cell. Fruit a capsule. | |
| Leaves usually petiolate, not sheathing. Bracts numerous, imbricate, passing into the calyx | 4. Epacris. |
| Leaves petiolate, not sheathing. Bracts few, deciduous | 5. Archeria. |
| Leaves narrow, with broad sheathing bases | 6. Dracophyllum. |
1. PENTACHONDRA, R. Br.
Spreading or prostrate shrubs. Leaves usually crowded, ovate-oblong or linear, striate. Flowers solitary or few together at the tips of the branches, axillary, on short peduncles. Bracts several, small, the uppermost with the rudiment of a second flower; bracteoles appressed to the calyx. Calyx 5-partite. Corolla-tube very short; lobes 5, revolute or recurved, bearded inside. Stamens 5, filaments inserted near the top of the corolla-tube, long or short; anthers exserted or included. Hypogynous scales free or connate. Ovary 5-celled; style long or short; stigma small; ovules solitary, pendulous from the top of the cell. Fruit a baccate drupe with 5 (or more) distinct 1-seeded pyrenes or nuts, sometimes fewer by abortion.
A small genus of 4 or 5 species, confined to the mountains of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. The single New Zealand species has the range of the genus.
1. P. pumila, R. Br. Prodr. 549.—A much and closely branched dwarf shrub 2–6 m. high; stems stout, woody, procumbent; branches ascending, glabrous or pubescent. Leaves numerous, crowded, suberect, ⅛–⅕ in. long, oblong or ovate-oblong, obtuse or with a callous tip, glossy, concave above, 3–7-nerved beneath; margins finely ciliolate. Flowers almost sessile, solitary at the tips of the branchlets, about ¼ in. long, white or red. Bracts several, small, obtuse; bracteoles much shorter than the calyx. Sepals obtuse, ciliolate. Corolla-tube cylindrical, much longer than the calyx; lobes short, recurved, bearded within. Berry rather large, ¼–½ in. diam., globose or broadly pyriform, red; pyrenes quite free, varying in number from 5 to 10, but usually 8.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 217; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 410; Raoul, Choix, 44; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 166; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 178; Benth. Fl. Austral. iv. 164. P. rubra, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 601. P. polyphylla, Col. l.c. xxxi. (1899) 274. Trochocarpa novæ-zealandiæ, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 602. Epacris pumila, Forst. Prodr. n. 70.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Abundant in hilly and mountainous districts from Cape Colville and the East Cape southwards. Chiefly found between 2000 ft. and 5000 ft., but descends to sea-level on Stewart Island. December–February.
2. CYATHODES, Labill.
Shrubs, sometimes tall and erect, sometimes low-growing and diffuse or prostrate. Leaves scattered or imbricate, flat or convex, striate, often white beneath. Flowers small, axillary and solitary, on short peduncles; bracts several, imbricating, the uppermost larger and almost concealing the calyx. Calyx 5-partite. Corolla-tube usually longer than the calyx, rarely shorter; lobes 5, spreading or recurved, glabrous or bearded inside. Stamens 5, inserted near the top of the corolla-tube; filaments short, filiform or thickened; anthers oblong or linear, wholly or partly included in the corolla-tube or in the erect base of the lobes. Hypogynous disc cup-shaped or annular, or of 5 free scales. Ovary 3–5-celled (rarely 8–10-celled); style filiform; stigma small; ovules solitary, pendulous from the top of the cells. Fruit a baccate drupe; raesocarp fleshy; endoearp bony, 3–5-celled; cells 1-seeded.
A small genus of about 15 species, scattered through Australia and Tasmania, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands. One of the New Zealand species extends to Australia, the others are endemic.
| * Corolla-lobes not bearded inside. | |
| A large erect shrub. Leaves ¼–⅔ in., narrow-linear, with rigid pungent points | 1. C. acerosa. |
| A large erect shrub. Leaves ½–¾ in., linear-oblong, subacute, not pungent | 2. C. robusta. |
| Small, spreading, prostrate. Leaves ⅛–⅕ in., linear, obtuse, spreading | 3. C. empetrifolia. |
| ** Corolla-lobes densely bearded within. | |
| Sparingly branched, 4–18 in. high. Leaves ¼–⅓ in., linear-oblong, obtuse. Flowers in 3–5-flowered racemes | 4. C. Colensoi. |
| Densely tufted, 2–5 in. Leaves ⅛–⅙ in., linear-oblong, apiculate. Flowers solitary | 5. C. pumila. |
1. C. acerosa, R. Br. Prodr. 539.—An erect or rarely decumbent branching shrub 4–15 ft. high or more; bark black; branches woody, spreading. Leaves spreading or reflexed, ¼–⅔ in. long, acerose, linear or subulate-lanceolate, rigid, pungent-pointed, glaucous beneath, with from 3 to 7 parallel veins, the outer of which often branch towards the margin of the leaf; margins often recurved and cihate. Flowers minute, 110 in. long, solitary and axillary towards the tips of the branches; peduncles short, recurved, clothed with imbricating obtuse bracts. Calyx-lobes obtuse. Corolla-tube not much longer than the calyx; lobes spreading, acute, usually glabrous within. Stamens with very short filaments; anthers half-exserted. Drupe variable in size, ⅕–⅓ in. diam., globose, succulent, white or red.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 407; Raoul, Choix, 44; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 163; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 176; Benth. Fl. Austral. iv. 170; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 108. C. articulata, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 600. Leucopogon Forsteri, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 216. Epacris juniperina, Forst. Prodr. n. 71.
Var. a.—Leaves rather shorter and broader, with shorter pungent points; lateral veins often branching outwards.
Var. oxycedrus.—Leaves usually longer and narrower, with longer pungent points; veins all unbranched.—C. oxycedrus, R. Br. Prodr. 540.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Abundant from the North Cape southwards. Sea-level to 2500 ft. Mingimingi. August–November.
2. C. robusta, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 177.—Habit of C. acerosa, but much stouter. Leaves spreading, ½–¾ in. long, ⅛–⅙ in. broad, narrow linear-oblong or linear-lanceolate, obtuse or subacute and callous at the tip, rigid and coriaceous, 5–11-nerved beneath, the nerves often branchmg on the outer side; margins usually recurved. Flowers ⅛ in. long, solitary and axillary, more abundantly produced than in C. acerosa; peduncles curved, clothed with numerous broad obtuse imbricating bracts. Corolla-tube hardly longer than the calyx-lobes, its divisions glabrous within. Berry large, globose, ⅓–½ in. diam.—C. acerosa var. latifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 163; F. Muell. Veg. Chath. Is. 43.
Chatham Islands: Apparently not uncommon, Dieffenbach, H. H. Travers! Capt. G. Mair! Cockayne and Cox! Rutitira.
Distinguished from C. acerosa, to which it is closely allied, by the larger broader leaves, which are not at all pungent, but end in obtuse callous tips, and by the larger fruit.
3. C. empetrifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 164.—A small depressed or prostrate heath-like shrub, with slender wiry tomentose oranches 4–18 in. long, ascending at the tips. Leaves numerous, uniform, erect or ascending when young, spreading or reflexed when old, ⅛–⅕ in. long, linear, obtuse, convex above, glaucous beneath, glabrous or pubescent or hoary; margins recurved, ciliate. Flowers small, axillary or terminal, solitary or 2–4 clustered at the top of the peduncle. Peduncle short, curved, clothed with imbricating ovate obtuse bracts. Calyx-lobes short, ovate, ciliate. Corolla-tube about as long as the calyx; lobes 5, ovate-lanceolate, acute, glabrous. Drupe small, ovoid, 110 in. long, 3–5-celled.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 177. Androstoma empetrifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 44, t. 30.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Auckland and Campbell Islands: Abundant in hilly and mountainous districts from Cape Colville and Rotorua southwards. Ascends to 4500 ft.; descends to sea-level in Stewart Island and in the Auckland Islands. November–January.
4. C. Colensoi, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 177.—Stems stout, decumbent or prostrate below; branches 4–18 in. high, erect or ascending, leafy, pubescent at the tips. Leaves erect or erecto-patent, ¼–⅓ in. long, linear-oblong or narrow obovate-oblong, obtuse or shortly mucronate, glabrous, convex above, glaucous beneath, with 3 or 5 stout parallel veins, the outer of which often branch towards the edge of the leaf; margins often dilated and membranous towards the tip of the leaf, finely ciliolate. Flowers in 3–5-flowered short and stout terminal racemes; bracts 2 or 3, broadly ovate, obtuse. Calyx-lobes concave, obtuse, ciliolate. Corolla-tube longer than the calyx; lobes densely bearded within. Drupe globose, ⅕ in. diam., white or red.—Leucopogon Colensoi, Hook. f. FL. Nov. Zel. i. 165.
North Island: Lake Taupo, Tongariro, and Ruapehu, Colenso! Capt. G. Mair! H. Hill! Ruahine Range, Colenso! South Island: Not uncommon on the mountains of Nelson and Canterbury, rare and local in Otago. 2000–5000 ft. December–January.
This was originally placed in Leucopogon, and in many of its characters it approaches that genus, although the habit is that of Cyathodes.
5. C. pumila, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 735.—A small depressed densely tufted little plant 2–5 in. high; stems prostrate, with numerous suberect or ascending leafy branches. Leaves imbricate, erect and incurved when dry, shortly petiolate, ⅛–⅙ in. long, linear-oblong, apiculate, glabrous, flat above, glaucous beneath, with a stout midrib and often a lateral vein on each side as well; margins thickened towards the base of the leaf, broad and thin at the tip. Flowers minute, axillary, solitary; peduncles clothed with numerous imbricating broad concave bracts. Calyx-lobes broadly oblong, obtuse, ciliolate. Corolla-tube cylindrical, much longer than the calyx; lobes 5, acute, densely bearded within. Stamens included. Style short, minutely 5-toothed at the tip. Drupe rather large, ⅙–⅕ in. diam., globose, 5-celled.
South Island: Nelson—Mount Arthur, T. F. C. Marlborough—Mount Stokes, J. H. Macmahon! Canterbury—Hurunui Mountains, Travers! Westland—Kelly's Hill, Cockayne! Otago—Summit of Maungatua, B. C. Aston! 2500–5000 ft.
A curious little plant. It is often mistaken for Pentachondra pumila, and is probably not uncommon throughout the mountainous districts of the South Island.
3. LEUCOPOGON, R. Br.
Erect or prostrate shrubs, or rarely small trees. Leaves scattered or imbricate, sessile or petiolate, striate. Flowers small, white or pink, in axillary or terminal spikes or racemes, sometimes solitary, but the rhachis always ending in the rudiment of an additional flower. Bracts few, usually placed close below the calyx. Calyx 5-partite. Corolla-tube funnel-shaped or campanulate, lobes 5, spreading or recurved, usually densely bearded within. Stamens 5, inserted near the top of the corolla-tube; filaments short, filiform; anthers wholly or partly included in the corolla-tube or in the erect base of the lobes. Ovary 2–3–5-celled; style short or long; stigma small; ovules solitary, pendulous from the top of the cell. Fruit a baccate drupe; mesocarp fleshy; endocarp 2–5-celled; cells 1-seeded.
A large Australian genus of more than 120 species, in addition to which there are a few from the Malay Archipelago and the Pacific islands, and three from New Zealand, two of which are also Australian.
| A shrub 5–15 ft. Leaves linear-lanceolate. Flowers small, in drooping spikes | 1. L. fasciculatus. |
| A shrub 4–8 ft. Leaves oblanceolate. Flowers small, in crowded erect spikes | 2. L. Richei. |
| Small, 2–8 in. Leaves obovate-oblong, with pungent tips. Flowers large, solitary | 3. L. Fraseri. |
1. L. fasciculatus, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 215.—A branching shrub or small tree 5–15 ft. high or more; bark black; branches slender, spreading, pubescent at the tips. Leaves very variable in size and shape, flat, spreading, ½–1 in. long, linear or linear-lanceolate to obovate-lanceolate or linear-oblong, acute or acuminate or almost pungent, rarely obtuse, sessile, glabrous, 3–7-nerved; margins minutely denticulate or ciliolate. Flowers minute, greenish-white, in 6–12-flowered axillary or terminal drooping spikes shorter or longer than the leaves. Bracts and calyx-lobes obtuse, striate, margins ciliolate. Corolla-lobes ovate-triangular, acute. Drupe small, ⅛–⅙ in. long, oblong, red.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 408; Raoul, Choix, 44; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 164; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 177. L. brevibarbis, Stch. in Bull. Soc. Nat. Mosc. xxxii. (1859) i. 14. Epacris fasciculata, Forst. Prodr. n. 72.
North and South Islands: Abundant from the North Cape as far south as Canterbury. Sea-level to 3500 ft. Mingimingi. September-November.
Mr. Buchanan has recorded this in his florula of Otago (Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. i.), but I have seen no specimens from thence, and it is not mentioned in either Petrie's or Kirk's lists.
2. L. Richei, R. Br. Prodr. 541.—A slender erect muchbranched shrub 4–6 ft. high or more; branches glabrous or slightly puberulous, often fascicled. Leaves ½–1 in. long, linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate, acute or acuminate, narrowed to a sessile base, convex, glaucous beneath, with 3–5 faint nerves; margins recurved. Flowers small, ⅛ in. diam, white, in subterminal short and dense many-flowered spikes. Bracts striate, barely half the length of the calyx. Calyx-lobes oblong, obtuse. Corolla-tube short, not equalling the calyx; lobes linear-oblong, densely bearded within. Drupe broadly ovoid, 3–5-celled.—F. Muell. Veg. Chath. Is. 45; Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 735; Benth. Fl. Austral. iv. 186.
Chatham Islands: Not uncommon in sandy soil near the sea, Travers! Capt. G. Mair! Miss Seddon! Cockayne and Cox!
This is a common plant in extra-tropical Australia and Tasmania, but so far has been found nowhere in the New Zealand area except in the Chatham Islands.
3. L. Fraseri, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 409.—A small shrubby plant 2–6 in. high, rarely more, branching from the base; branches decumbent below, erect or ascending above, often curved, leafy, glabrous or minutely puberulous towards the tips. Leaves erect, close-set, imbricating, ⅕–⅓ in. long, obovate-oblong or linear-oblong, suddenly contracted into a fine rigid pungent point, glabrous and shining above, finely nerved beneath, the nerves branching outwards; margins thin, scarious, cartilaginous, finely ciliolate. Flowers axillary and solitary, sessile, large for the size of the plant, ¼–½ in. long, sweet-scented. Bracts minute, broad, apiculate. Calyx-lobes acute. Corolla-tube cylindrical, more than twice as long as the calyx; lobes short, acute, densely bearded within. Drupe large, ⅓ in. long or more, broadly oblong, yellowish-orange.—Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 165; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 178; Benth. Fl. Austral. iv. 218. L. nesophilus, D.C. Prodr. vii. 752. L. Bellignianus, Raoul, Choix, 18, t. 12.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Abundant in dry heathy places throughout, ascending to 4500 ft. Totara. September–January.
Also in Australia and Tasmania. The drupe is juicy, sweetish, and edible.
4. EPACRIS, Forst.
Usually erect rigid heath-like shrubs. Leaves sessile or shortly petioled, crowded or imbricated, articulated on the branch, never sheathing. Flowers solitary and axillary, often extending along the branches for a considerable distance, sessile or shortly peduncled, white or red. Bracts numerous, imbricating, clothing the peduncle and concealing the base of the calyx. Calyx 5-partite; corolla-tube cylindric or campanulate; lobes 5, imbricate, spreading. Stamens 5; filaments short, adnate to the corolla-tube; anthers affixed above the middle, wholly or partly included in the corolla-tube. Hypogynous disc of 5 free or rarely connate scales. Ovary 5-celled; ovules numerous, attached to a central placenta. Capsule 5-celled, loculicidally 5-valved. Seeds numerous.
A genus comprising 25 species, all of which are confined to Australia and Tasmania, except the two found in New Zealand, both of which are endemic.
| Erect, 2–8 ft. high. Leaves ⅙–¼ in., rhomboid-ovate, usually acuminate. Bracts very numerous, acute | 1. E. pauciflora. |
| Erect or decumbent, 1–4 ft. Leaves ⅛–⅙ in., broadly elliptical, obtuse. Bracts few, obtuse | 2. E. alpina. |
1. E. pauciflora, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 213, t. 29.—A slender erect shrub, usually from 3 to 6 ft. high, but occasionally attaining 8–10 ft. or more, sometimes reduced to a few inches; branches often fascicled, erect, leafy, virgate, puberulous at the tips. Leaves suberect, imbricating, ⅙–¼ in. long, ovate or rhomboid-ovate or oblong-obovate, suddenly narrowed into a bluntly acuminate point, shortly petiolate, concave, very thick and coriaceous, veinless, glabrous on both surfaces. Flowers small, white, copiously produced towards the tips of the branches. Peduncles shorter than the leaves, entirely concealed by numerous imbricating ovate acute bracts, the uppermost of which closely invest the calyx. Corolla-tube hardly longer than the calyx; lobes spreading, broadly oblong, obtuse. Capsule small.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 411. Raoul, Choix, 44; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 166; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 179.
Var. Sinclairii.—Leaves obtuse, not narrowed into acuminate points.—E. Sinclairii, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 179.
North and South Islands: Open clay hills from the North Cape to Collingwood and Westport, but rare and local south of the Waikato and Thames Rivers. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Flowers most of the year. Var. Sinclairii: Great Barrier Island, Sinclair! Kirk!
E. Sinclairii differs from E. pauciflora in no respect except that the leaves are not narrowed into short acuminate points. But the amount of acumination is so variable in E. pauciflora, the points being longer and sharper in young plants, and shorter and broader or almost absent in old ones, that I can entertain no doubt as to the specific identity of the two plants.
2. E. alpina, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 166.—A small erect or spreading rarely decumbent much-branched shrub 1–4 ft. high, seldom more; branches twiggy, densely leafy, puberulous at the lips. Leaves suberect or spreading, small, ⅛–⅙ in. long, broadly elliptical or broadly ovate, obtuse, shortly petiolate, very thick and coriaceous, quite glabrous, concave, veiuless. Flowers small, white, numerous towards the tips of the branches. Peduncles short; bracts few, 5–6, broad, obtuse. Calyx-lobes obtuse. Corolla much as in E. pauciflora, but smaller.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 179. E. affinis, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xx. (1888) 199.
North Island: Vicinity of Lake Taupo, Colenso, T.F.C.; Tongariro and Ruapehu, Kirk! Hill! Rev. F. H. Spencer! Ruahine Range, H. Tryon! Kaweka Range, Petrie! South Island: Nelson—Ngakawau, Rev. F. H. Spencer; Mount Owen and Buller Valley, W. Townson! T.F.C. Westland—Denniston, J. Caffin! Southern Alps, Sinclair and Haast (Handbook). 1000–4000 ft. December–January.
Closely allied to E. pauciflora, but distinguished by the smaller size and more spreading habit, smaller obtuse leaves, and fewer obtuse bracts.
Three Australian species of Epacris (E. purpurascens, R. Br., E. pulchella, Cav., and E. microphylla, R. Br.) have become plentifully naturalised in open "tea-tree country" in several localities near the Manukau Harbour in the vicinity of Papakura and Drury (Auckland District). The first-mentioned was originally discovered by the late Dr. Sinclair and General Bolton nearly fifty years ago, and was included by Sir J. D. Hooker in both the "Flora Novæ-Zealandiæ" and the Handbook, although he expressed the opinion that it was probably introduced. The two others were first noticed by Mr. A. T. Urquhart (see Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiv. 364, and xxviii. 20). All three species belong to the division of the genus which has the corolla-tube shorter or barely longer than the calyx, and all three have broad acuminate leaves, cordate at the base. E. purpurascens can be distinguished by the large leaves with long pungent points and rather large pale-pink flowers, which are usually most abundantly produced.
5. ARCHERIA, Hook. f.
Much-branched erect or spreading shrubs. Leaves flat. Flowers white or pink, in few-flowered terminal racemes. Bracts caducous. Calyx of 5 almost free sepals. Corolla-tube rather broad, ventricose-cylindrical or almost campanulate; lobes 5, short, spreading or recurved, imbricate in the bud. Stamens 5, affixed to the throat of the corolla; filaments very short; anthers broad, attached about the middle. Hypogynous disc short, cupular or of 5 free scales. Ovary 5-celled and deeply 5-lobed: style columnar, inserted in a broad depression at the top of the ovary; stigma dilated, more or less distinctly 5-lobed; ovules numerous in each cell. Capsule 5-celled, loculicidally 5-valved. Seeds numerous.
A small genus of 5 species, confined to New Zealand and Tasmania. It differs from Epacris mainly in habit, in the deciduous bracts, and in the position of the style.
| Leaves 1–1½ in., obovate-oblong | 1. A. racemosa. |
| Leaves ⅓–¾ in., lanceolate | 2. A. Traversii. |
1. A. racemosa, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 180.—An erect much-branched shrub 6–15 ft. high; bark black; branches spreadmg. Leaves scattered at intervals so as to appear almost whorled, spreading, 1–1½ in. long, ⅓–½ in. broad, obovate-oblong or elliptic-oblong, acute, sometimes almost pungent, narrowed into a very short petiole or almost sessile, flat, rigid and coriaceous; veins reticulated. Racemes terminating the branches, solitary or 2–3 together, 1–2 in. long, 10–25-flowered; rhachis pubescent: pedicels short, stout, curved. Bracts coloured, caducous; a large leaf-like one at the base of each pedicel, and 2 smaller and narrower ones just below the flower. Sepals oblong-lanceolate; margins membranous, ciliolate. Corolla ⅙ in. long, pink; tube short and broad; lobes short, spreading, ovate-triangular, obtuse. Style short, stout. Capsule small, globose, ⅛ in. diam.—Epacris racemosa, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 167.
North Island: Great Barrier Island, Sinclair, Kirk! Little Barrier Island, Shakespear! T. F. C.; Thames goldfields, Kirk, Adams! T. F. C.; East Cape district, Bishop Williams! 500–2800 ft. January–February.
The large concave bracts entirely hide the young racemes, but fall off as soon as the flowers commence to expand.
2. A. Traversii, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 180.—A large much-branched shrub 6–15 ft. high; bark dark-brown; branches spreading. Leaves scattered, spreading, ⅓–½ in. long, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, acute, thick and coriaceous, quite glabrous, smooth and shining above, midrib distinct beneath; margins recurved, often ciliolate. Racemes terminal, ½–1 in. long, 8–15-flowered; rhachis and pedicels pubescent. Bracts oblong, membranous, caducous, falling away as soon as the flowers commence to open. Sepals oblong, obtuse, striate; margins membranous, ciliolate. Corolla ⅛–⅙ in. long, campanulate, reddish; lobes short, spreading. Style very short, stout. Capsule minute, depressed, 110 in. diam.
Var. australis, Hook. f. l.c. 735.—Stouter. Leaves longer and broader, ½–¾ in., elliptical-lanceolate or oblong, obtuse or subacute. Flowers rather longer
South Island: Nelson—Aorere Valley, Travers; Mount Arthur Plateau, T. F. C.; Brunner Range, Townson! Canterbury and Westland—Bealey Gorge and Arthur's Pass, Kirk! Cockayne! T. F. C.; Browning's Pass, Haast! Rangitaipo, Petrie! Otago—Lake Wanaka, Buchanan! Clinton Valley, Reece and Hollyford Valleys, Petrie! Var. australis: Common in the sounds of the south-west of Otago, Hector and Buchanan! Stewart Island: Mount Anglem, Kirk! Sea-level to 4000 ft. January–February.
6. DRACOPHYLLUM, Labill.
Erect or prostrate shrubs, or more rarely small trees; branches ringed with the scars of the fallen leaves. Leaves crowded at the ends of the branches or imbricate along them, broad and sheathing at the base, above that suddenly contracted into a very narrow linear rigid or grassy usually concave blade. Flowers small, white or red, in terminal or lateral panicles or racemes or spikes, rarely solitary. Sepals 5, ovate or lanceolate, persistent. Corolla cylindric or campanulate; lobes 5, spreading, imbricate, often incurved at the tips. Stamens hypogynous, or the filaments adnate to the corolla-tube; anthers usually included in the tube, attached at or near the middle. Hypogynous scales 5, free. Ovary 5-ceIled; style inserted in a depression at the top of the ovary; stigma small, or larger and 5-lobed; ovules numerous, attached to a decurved placenta in the inner angle of the cell. Capsule 5-celled, loculicidally 5-valved. Seeds numerous.
In addition to the 18 species found in New Zealand, all of which are endemic, there are 10 in Australia and Tasmania, and 5 in New Caledonia. The student will find the species exceedingly difficult of discrimination, especially those of section B, where they appear to pass into one another by small gradations, and where the chief distinctive characters available are the highly variable ones of size, habit, and foliage.
| A. Flowers panicled. Calyx small, much shorter than the corolla-tube, and always much less than the ripe capsule. | |
| Shrub or small tree 8–20 ft. high. Leaves 10–18 in., 1–1½ in. wide at the base. Panicle terminal, 6–18 in. long. Flowers ⅛ in. diam. Capsules 110 in. | 1. D. latifolium. |
| Similar to the preceding but much stouter. Leaves 10–24 in., 1–2 in. wide. Panicles denser. Capsules larger, ⅛ in. diam. | 2. D. Traversii. |
| Shrub 10–20 ft. high. Leaves 6–12 in., ⅓–½ in. wide at the base. Panicles small, lateral below the leaves, drooping, 2–3 in. long. Flowers ⅙ in. long | 3. D. Townsoni. |
| Small much branched shrub, stem often decumbent below. Leaves 3–8 in. long. Panicles lateral, drooping, 3–6 in. long. Flowers large, ⅓ in. long | 4. D. Menziesii. |
| Small much-branched shrub. Leaves 1½–4 in. long. Panicles terminal, 1½–4 in. long. Flowers ⅕–¾ in. | 5. D. strictum. |
| B. Flowers in spike like racemes or solitary. Calyx almost equalling the corolla-tube or longer than it, always completely enclosing the ripe capsule. | |
| * Flowers in spike-like racemes. | |
| Shrub 4–15 ft. Leaves patent and recurved, 1½–5 in long. Racemes lateral, 4–8-flowered | 6. D. Sinclairii. |
| Shrub 1–3 ft. Leaves patent and recurved, ½–1½ in. long, obtuse. Flowers in terminal bracteate spikes | 7. D. recurvum. |
| Leaves erect, 3–10 in. long, sheathing base ½–⅔ in. broad. Racemes 6–15-flowered | 8. D. longifolium. |
| Leaves erect, 1–5 in. long, sheathing base ⅛–¼ in. wide, truncate or auricled at the tip. Racemes 4–12-flowered | 9. D. Urvilleantum. |
| Leaves in many series, erect and appressed, very stout, polished, glabrous, ¾–1 in. long. Racemes 3–6-flowered | 10. D. Pearsoni. |
| Leaves erect, ¾–3 in. long, silky-pubescent above, margins ciliate with copious white hairs. Racemes 3–6-flowered | 11. D. scoparium. |
| Very slender. Leaves small, erect, ⅓–1 in. long. Racemes 2–5-flowered | 12. D. subulatum. |
| Stout, spreading, much branched. Leaves spreading, 1–2½ in. long, ⅙–⅓ in. broad at the base, gradually tapering, evenly pubescent on both surfaces. Racemes 3–5-flowered | 13. D. pubescens. |
| ** Flowers usually solitary. | |
| Decumbent. Leaves spreading, ¾–2 in. long, ⅙ in. broad at the base, gradually tapering, glaucous, glabrous. Flowers lateral, solitary | 14. D. Kirkii. |
| Erect. Leaves ½–2 in. long (2–4 in. in var. acicularifolium); blade 120–115 broad, pungent. Flowers lateral | 15. D. uniflorum. |
| Depressed or prostrate, rarely suberect. Leaves ¼–1 in., obtuse. Flowers usually terminating short lateral branchlets | 16. D. rosmarinifolium. |
| Small, prostrate, laxly or closely branched. Leaves imbricate, ⅛–¼ in. long, linear-subulate from a broad ovate base. Flower terminal | 17. D. prostratum. |
| Small, forming densely compacted tufts a few inches across. Leaves closely imbricate, 110–18 in. long, tips subulate, usually obtuse | 18. D. muscoides. |
1. D. latifolium, A. Cunn. Precur. n. 412.—A shrub or small tree 8–20 ft. high or more, with a trunk 4–12 in. diam.; young plants forming slender erect unbranched rods with a tuft of grassy leaves at the top; old ones much branched, the branches often whorled, curving outwards and then ascending, giving the tree a candelabrum-like appearance, closely ringed with the scars of the fallen leaves. Leaves crowded at the tips of the branches, squarrose, spreading and recurved, 10–24 in. long, 1–1½ in. broad at the dilated sheathing base, gradually tapering into very long slender points, quite glabrous, coriaceous, striate, concave or rarely nearly flat, margins very minutely serrulate. Panicle terminal, 6–18 in. long, much and closely branched, linear-oblong, erect in flower, inclined in fruit, rhachis and pedicels densely pubescent. Flowers crowded, very numerous, shortly pedicelled, ⅛ in. diam., reddish. Calyx very small, not ¼ the length of the corolla; sepals broadly ovate, acute or obtuse, striate. Corolla campanulate, lobes rather longer than the tube, oblong, obtuse, sharply recurved. Anthers large, oblong, exserted. Capsule small, 110 diam., depresso-globose—Raoul, Choix, 44; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 167; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 181; Kirk, Forest Fl. t. 123. D. recurvatum, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxi. (1889) 92.
North Island: Common in hilly forests from the North Cape to Hawke's Bay and Taranaki. South Island: Nelson and Westland, from Collingwood as far south as Charleston. Sea-level to 3000 ft. Neinei. January–February.
2. D. Traversii, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 736.—Very closely allied to D. latifolium, but a larger and much more robust plant, sometimes 30 ft. high, with a trunk 2 ft. in diam. Leaves 1–2 ft. long, 1–2 in. broad at the base, gradually tapering into long almost filiform points, rigid and coriaceous, slightly concave, striated, margins smooth and entire or very obscurely serrulate. Panicle terminal, strict, linear-oblong, much and verclosely and densely branched; rhachis and pedicels stout, pubescent. Flowers much as in D. latifolium, but rather larger. Capsule larger and on stouter pedicels, ⅛ in. diam.
South Island: Nelson and Westland—Not uncommon in subalpine localities from Collingwood and the Mount Arthur Plateau to the Haast River and Jackson's Bay. 2500–4500 ft. January–February.
By far the finest species of the genus. Although very different in appearance from D. latifolium it is difficult to point out any character of importance to separate it from that plant apart from the increased size and stoutness, the more rigid leaves, denser panicles, and rather larger capsules. A state of D. latifolium, not uncommon on high peaks in the Auckland District, approaches it in foliage and in inflorescence, but not in habit.
3. D. Townsoni, Cheesem. n. sp.—A large branching shrub 12–20 ft. high; branches stout, ringed with the scars of the fallen leaves. Leaves crowded at the ends of the branches, very similar to those of D. latifolium but smaller, 6–12 in. long, ⅓–½ in. broad at the dilated sheathing base, very gradually narrowed into fine slender points, rigid and coriaceous, concave, striate, margins minutely serrulate. Panicles small, lateral below the leaves, much curved and drooping, 2–3 in. long, rather closely branched. Flowers crowded, very shortly pedicelled or almost sessile on the branches of the pa,nicle, about ⅙ in. long. Calyx small, but almost as long as the tube of the corolla; sepals broadly ovate, obtuse, striate. Corolla campanulate, lobed nearly half-way down; lobes oblong, obtuse, sharply reflexed. Anthers exserted. Capsule small, ⅛ in. diam., depresso-globose.
South Island: Nelson—Vicinity of Westport, Townson!
This has the peculiar lateral drooping panicle of D. Menziesii, but is a much larger plant, with longer and proportionately narrower more grassy leaves. The corolla is markedly different, being not half the size, and deeply lobed nearly half-way down, with the lobes sharply reflexed. In D. Menziesii, in addition to the much larger corolla, the lobes are very small, not one-quarter the length of the tube.
4. D. Menziesii, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 168.—A small much-branched shrub, often reduced to a foot or two in height; branches very robust, naked, ringed with the scars of the fallen leaves. Leaves crowded near the ends of the branches, like those of D. latifolium but much smaller, spreading and recurved, 3–8 in. long, ½–¾ in. broad at the base, gradually tapering to a fine point, slightlv concave, rigid and coriaceous, striate; margins cartilagenous, closely and minutely serrulate. Panicles lateral from below the leaves, 3–5 in. long, sparingly branched and often reduced to a simple raceme, drooping; rhachis and pedicels pubescent. Flowers large, waxy- white, ⅓ in. long, on short curved pedicels. Calyx small, not ¼ as long as the corolla; sepals broadly ovate, subacute, striate. Corolla large, campanulate, tube three or four times as long as the calyx; lobes very short, recurved. Anthers included. Capsule depresso-globose, ⅙–⅕ in. diam.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 181.
South Island: Canterbury—Ashburton Mountains, Potts! (flowers not seen). Otago—Lake district, Buchanan! mountains above Lake Harris, Kirk! mountains to the west of Lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau, Petrie! Humboldt Mountains, Cockayne! Dusky Bay, Menzies, Reischek! Port Preservation, Lyall. Stewart Island: Mount Anglem, Kirk! Ascends to 4500ft., descends almost to sea level in Dusky Sound. December–February.
An exceedingly distinct species, with the largest flowers of the genus. Alpine specimens are sometimes only 1–2 ft. high, with few very stout naked branches bearing a globose head of squarrose leaves.
5. D. strictum, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 48.—A much-branched shrub; branches bare below, ringed with the scars of the fallen leaves. Leaves erect or spreading, variable in size, 1½–4 in. long, ¼–½ in. wide at the sheathing base, which is not conspicuously broader than the blade, gradually tapering into a rigidly acuminate or pungent point, fiat or slightly concave, somewhat glaucous, coriaceous, margins minutely serrulate. Panicles terminal, 1½–4 in. long, narrow, erect or curved or cernuous; rhachis and pedicels glabrous or puberulous. Bracts caducous. Flowers rather numerous, ⅕–¼ in. long, shortly pedicelled, white. Calyx small, about ⅓ the length of the corolla; sepals broadly ovate, acute, finely ciliolate. Corolla narrow-campanulate; lobes short, broadly triangular, with inflexed margins. Anthers included; filaments rather long. Capsule depresso-globose, small, 110 in. diam.—Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 168; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 181. D. affine, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 48; Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 168. D. imbricatum, Col. in Trans N.Z. Inst. xxv. (1893) 331.
North and South Islands: From the Thames River to the south of Otago, not common. In the South Island mainly found on the western side of the island. Sea-level to 3000 ft. Totorowhiti. November–March.
Very variable in the size of the leaves. On young plants or on vigorous shoots they are frequently 4–5 in. long and proportionately broad; but on old plants or in exposed situations they are often reduced to 1½ in. or less.
6. D. Sinclairii, Cheesem.—A tall erect branching shrub, usually 4–8 ft. high, rarely taller and forming a small tree 12–20 ft. in height; bark brownish-black. Leaves spreading and recurved, suberect when young, often clothing the branches for a considerable length, 1½–5 in. long, ⅙–⅓ in. wide at the sheathing base, which is not truncate nor auricled and not very much wider than the blade, gradually narrowed into long acuminate points, coriaceous or somewhat grassy, concave; margins finely serrulate, ciliolate at the base. Racemes lateral, 1–2 in. long, 4–8-flowered, usually fascicled along the branches some distance below the tip. Bracts persistent, ovate-lanceolate, acummate. Flowers ¼ in. long, white. Sepals almost equalling the corolla, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate. Anthers included. Style short, stout. Capsule small, concealed by the persistent sepals.—D. squarrosum, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 48. (not of R. Br.); Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 169; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 181.
North Island: From the North Cape as far as the East Cape, but often local, usually near the sea. Ascends to 2500 ft. Flowers most of the year.
Hooker's name is most appropriate; but unfortunately it is preoccupied by an Australian species (D. squarrosum, R. Br. Prodr. 556). This was made the type of the genus Sphenotoma by Don, but was reunited with Dracophyllum by Bentham in the "Flora Australiensis."
7. D. recurvum, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 50.—A small rather stout much-branched shrub 6 in. to 2 ft. or 3 ft. high; bark blackish-brown; branches naked, ringed with the scars of the fallen leaves. Leaves crowded at the tips of the branches, spreading and recurved, ½–1½ in. long; sheathing base membrauous, ⅛–¼ in. broad, ciliolate, suddenly narrowed into a rigid and coriaceous linear-subulate usually much recurved lamina, which is concave on the upper surface and almost keeled beneath, tip obtuse, margins minutely serrulate. Flowers ¼ in. long, in short and stout terminal bracteate spikes ½–1 in. long; bracts numerous, large, persistent, almost concealing the flowers, base broad and foliaceous, tip short, subulate. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, acute, almost as long as the corolla-tube, ciliolate. Corolla n arrow- campanulate; lobes short, ovate-triangular, acute. Anthers included. Style very short. Capsule small, ⅛ in. long, shorter than the sepals.—Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 171; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 181. D. rubrum. Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xx. (1888) 200. D. tenuicaulis, Col. l.c. xxii. (1890) 476. D. brachyphyllum and D. vanum. Col. l.c. xxviii. (1896) 602, 604. D. brachycladum, Col. l.c. xxxi. (1899) 275.
North Island: Mount Hikurangi, East Cape district, Colenso! Tongariro and Ruapehu, Bidwill, Captain G. Mair, Kirk, and others; Ruahine Range, Colenso! H. Hill! Petrie! 2500–4500 ft.
Easily distinguished by the small size, recurved leaves, and short dense terminal spikes with foliaceous bracts. I have examined the type specimens of Mr. Colenso's new species preserved in his herbarium, but fail to see how they can be separated even as varieties.
8. D. longifolium, R. Br. Prodr. 556.—Very variable in stature, sometimes a shrub from 4 to 8 ft. high, at others forming a small tree 12 to 25 ft. with a trunk 6–15 in. diam.; bark black; branches slender, erect, naked below. Leaves crowded at the tips of the branches, erect, or spreading when young, strict, 3–10 in. long, narrow linear-subulate; sheathing base ⅓–⅔ in. long and as wide, brown, striate, margins scarious, ciliate; blade ⅛–⅙ in. broad at the base, gradually tapering into a long acuminate pungent tip, concave, rigid and coriaceous, striate, often pubescent; above, margins entire or minutely serrulate. Racemes terminal on short lateral branchlets or rarely ending the main branches, strict, erect or inclined, 1½–2½ in. long, 6–15-flowered. Bracts numerous, a large foliaceous one at the base of each pedicel and 2–4 equalling the calyx at the base of each flower. Flowers white, ¼–⅓ in. long. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, acute, ciliate, almost equalling the corolla-tube. Corolla campanulate; lobes ovate-triangular, inflexed at the tip. Anthers included. Capsule ⅙ in. diam., enclosed within the persistent sepals.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 219; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 413; Raoul, Choix, 44; Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 45, t. 31, 32; Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 169; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 182; Kirk, Forest Fl. i. 109. D. Lyallii, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 169. Epacris longifolia, Forst. Prodr. n. 68.
North Island: East Cape district, Bishop Williams! Adams and Petrie! Ruahine Mountains, A. Hamilton! Tararua Mountains, J. Buchanan! South Island: Not uncommon in mountain districts throughout. Stewart Island: Abundant, Petrie! G. M. Thomson! Kirk! Auckland and Campbell Islands: Forming a considerable proportion of the ligneous vegetation, Hooker, Kirk! F. R. Chapman! Sea-level to 4000 ft. Inanga; Grass-tree. November–March.
A very variable plant. In its extreme state, which is best seen in the sounds of the south-west coast of Otago, in Stewart Island, and in the Auckland Islands, it forms a tree sometimes 30 ft. in height, with leaves often a foot in length; but in open mountain districts in the South Island it is rarely more than a few feet high, with much shorter and narrower leaves. This form is difficult to separate from some varieties of D. Urvilleanum; in fact, there does not appear to be any strict line of demarcation between the two species.
9. D. Urvilleanum, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 221.—A much or sparingly branched shrub 4–8 ft. high; branches slender, erect; bark black or dark chestnut-brown. Leaves very variable, slender, often flexuous, erect, 1–5 in. long; sheathing base ⅛–¼ in. broad, brown, striate, membranous, truncate or auricled at the tip, margins scarious, ciliate; blade very narrow, 120–110 at the base, coriaceous, concave or canaliculate above, triquetrous or nearly so at the tip, margins minutely denticulate. Racemes on short lateral branchlets, rarely ending the main branches, strict, erect, ½–1½ in. long, 4–12-flowered. Flowers small, white or red, ⅕–¼ in. long. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, as long as or longer than the corolla-tube. Corolla-lobes rather narrow. Anthers included. Capsule ⅛–⅙ in. diam., enclosed within the persistent sepals.—Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 182.
Var. a.—Branches long, slender; bark black. Leaves rather short, 1–2½ in. long, concave above. Racemes 3–6-flowered, lateral, often crowded along the branches for some distance below the tips. Flowers rather small, narrow.—D. Urvilleanum, A. Rich.; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 415; Raoul, Choix, 44; Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 49; Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 169.
Var. filifolium.—Branches long, slender; bark black or chestnut-brown. Leaves long, 2½–5 in., very narrow, often flexuose, canaliculate above.—D. filifolium, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 169. D. setifolium, Stchegel. in Bull. Soc. Nat. Mosc. xxxii. (1859) i. 23. D. virgatum and D. heterophyllum, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 605. (?)D. pungens. Col. l.c. 602.
Var. Lessonianum.—Branches stouter. Leaves 1½–3 in. long, strict, flat above, convex beneath. Racemes 6–12-flowered; flowers usually larger.—D. Lessonianum, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 223; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 416; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 170. Some forms of this approach D. longifolium very closely.
Var. montanum.—Smaller and stouter, often densely branched. Leaves ¾–2 in. long, erect or spreading, broad at the base and gradually narrowed into the sheath, which is not auricled above. Flowers in stout terminal or lateral spike-like racemes ½–1 in. long; bracts broad, concave. This is allied to D. scoparium, and was included in it by Hooker, but the leaves are quite glabrous.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Var. a. abundant on dry hills from the North Cape to Nelson; var. filifolium, from the Bay of Islands to Wellington, ascending to 4500 ft. on Mount Egmont and the Ruahine Mountains, &c.; var. Lessonianum, from Rotorua southwards to Stewart Island, usually in mountain districts; var. montanum, Mount Hikurangi, Tongariro and Ruapehu, Ruahine Mountains, Tararua Mountains, and apparently not uncommon in the mountains of the South Island, from 2500 ft. to 4500 ft.
At first sight the extreme forms of this look very distinct, but they are connected by so many transitional stages that I think Sir J. D. Hooker was right in referring them to a single species.
10. D. Pearsoni, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvii. (1885) 223.—Apparently a stout erect much-branched shrub; branches with the leaves on nearly ½ in. diam. Leaves numerous, close-set, densely imbricating, erect and appressed to the branch, ¾–1 in. long; sheathing base ⅙ in. wide, not auricled nor truncate at the tip, margins ciliate; blade 120 in. wide at the base, linear-subulate, pungent, rounded on the back, flat or convex in front, smooth and polished, glabrous, margins minutely denticulate. Flower's small, ⅕ in. long, in dense 3–6-flowered spike-like racemes ½–¾ in. long. Sepals ovate, acuminate, rather shorter than the corolla-tube, margins ciliate. Corolla-lobes ovate-triangular, acute. Capsule obovoid, included within the persistent calyx-lobes.
Stewart Island: Mount Anglem and Smith's Lookout, Kirk! locality doubtful, Pearson!
This appears to differ from D. Urvilleanum in the more numerous densely imbricating closely appressed leaves, but further specimens may prove it to be a form of that plant.
11. D. scoparium, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 46.—A shrub or small tree, sometimes 20 ft. high or more; bark dark chestnut-brown; branches dense, erect. Leaves crowded at the tips of the branches, strict, erect, ¾–3 in. long; sheathing base ⅛–⅙ in. broad, not auricled nor truncate, margins scarious, ciliate with copious white hairs; blade 125–112 in. wide at the base, gradually tapering upwards, rigid and coriaceous, upper surface more or less silky-pubescent, concave or nearly flat, lower glabrous, convex or almost keeled towards the tip, margins ciliate with white hairs for their whole length. Flowers white, about ¼ in. long, in dense 3–6-flowered spike-like racemes ½–¾ in. long. Bracts broadly ovate, acuminate, silky within, margins ciliate. Sepals ovate, acuminate, ciliate, about equalling the corolla-tube. Corolla-lobes short, triangular, acute. Capsule broadly obovate, included within the persistent calyx-lobes.—Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 170. D. Urvilleanum var. scoparium, Handb. N.Z. Fl. 182 (in part).
Var. major.—Taller and stouter, often 20–30 ft. high when fully adult. Leaves of mature plants 1½–3 in., margins more copiously ciliate; of young plants or of the lower branches of old ones 6–9 in. long or more, ⅓–¾ in. wide, flat, ciliate, gradually tapering into long acuminate points. Racemes 4–8-flowered; flowers rather larger. Bracts and calyx-lobes often silky on the back.-D. latifolium var. ciliolatum. Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 736 (young plant). D. arboreum, Cockayne in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxiv. (1902) 318.
Var. paludosum. Smaller, 3–6 ft. high when adult, and often flowering when less than 6 in. Leaves 1–1½ in., not longer and wider in the young state. Racemes short, 2–4-flowered; flowers rather smaller.—D. rosmarinifolium, Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. vii. (1875) 338 (not of Worst.). D. paludosum, Cockayne in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxiv. (1902) 318.
Campbell Island: Near the sea, not common, Hooker, Kirk! Chatham Islands: Var. major and paludosum not uncommon, the latter chiefly in swamps, Dieffenbach, H. H. Travers! Enys! Cox and Cockayne!
Closely allied to D. Urvilleanum, to which it was reduced by Sir J. D. Hooker in the Handbook, but constantly differing in the conspicuously ciliate margins of the leaves, which are also silky-pubescent on the upper surface. The leaf-sheaths are also never auricled or truncate, as in D. Urvilleanum, but are simply rounded at the top, passing more gradually into the blade. My two varieties major and paludosum are both treated as distinct species by Mr. Cockayne. It is possible that he may be correct with respect to var. major, which differs not only in its much larger size, but also in the very distinct leaves of the juvenile stage. But the leaves and flowers of the mature stage are in both varieties so very similar to those of the original Campbell Island plant that I hesitate to separate either of them.
12. D. subulatum, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 50.—An erect shrub 2–6 ft. high, with long slender twiggy branches leafy at the tips; bark dark red-brown or almost black. Leaves small, strict or liexuose, ⅓–1 in. long, rarely more; sheathing base 112–110 in. broad, truncate or auricled at the tip; blade very narrow, 130–140 in. wide at the base, pungent, rigid and coriaceous, concave or flat above, convex beneath, triquetrous at the tip, glabrous on the margins, most minutely serrulate. Leaves of young plants larger, sometimes ¾–1½ in. long by 112 in. wide at the base, spreading or recurved. Racemes small, lateral, often crowded along the branches, 2–6-flowered. Flowers small, 110–18 in. long. Bracts with broadly ovate sheathing bases and erect subulate tips. Sepals usually exceeding the corolla-tube.—Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 171; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 182.
North Island: From Rotorua and the Upper Thames Valley to Taupe, Ruapehu, and the Ruahine Mountains. 350 to 3500 ft. Monoao. November–March.
Easily recognised by its small size and erect slender habit, short very narrow leaves, and small flowers.
13. D. pubescens, Cheesem. n. sp.—A small densely branched woody shrub; branches stout, often decumbent below, erect or ascending above; bark dark reddish-brown or almost black. Leaves crowded, spreading or erecto-patent. 1–2½ in. long, ⅙–⅓ in. broad at the sheathing base, which is not much broader than the blade, gradually narrowed to an acuminate and pungent point, coriaceous, concave in front, rounded on the back, glaucous, striate, minutely and evenly pubescent on both surfaces, sometimes becommg almost glabrous when old. Flowers about ¼ in. long, in 3–5-flowered spikes terminating short lateral branchlets. Bracts ovate, acuminate; margins ciliate. Sepals ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, equalling the corolla-tube. Corolla-lobes triangular, acute. Capsule obovoid, included within the persistent calyx-lobes.
South Island: Nelson—Mountains near Westport, Townson! 1500–2500 ft.
Habit of D. Kirkii, Berggren, but a larger and stouter and more copiously branched plant, with the leaves finely and equally pubescent on both surfaces, and with the flowers in 3–5-flovered spikes, not solitary. The leaves are very similar in shape to those of small specimens of D. strictum, and are quite different to those of D. Urvilleanum, D. scoparuim, and their allies.
14. D. Kirkii, Berggren in Journ. Bot. xviii. (1880) 104.—A small depressed woody shrub; branches very stout, 6–18 in. long, prostrate or decumbent, suberect at the tips; bark reddish-brown. Leaves crowded, spreading or suberect, ¾–2 in. long, ⅙ in. wide at the sheathing base, which is not conspicuously broader than the blade, gradually narrowed into an acuminate pungent point, coriaceous, more or less concave, glaucous, quite glabrous, striate; margins very minutely serrulate. Flowers solitary, lateral, ¼–⅓ in. long, shortly pedicelled. Bracts 2–3, sheathing, the tips often exceeding the flower. Sepals ovate, acuminate, shorter than the corolla-tube, margins minutely ciliate. Corolla-lobes ovate-triangular, acute. Anthers included. Capsule broadly obovoid, ⅛ in. diam., enclosed in the persistent calyx-lobes.—D. unifiorum, Berggr. in Minneskr. Fisiog. Sallsk. Lund. (1877) 15, t. 4, f. 1–11 (not of Hook. f.).
South Island: Nelson—Lake Tennyson, T. F. C. Canterbury—Mount Torlesse, Berggren; Arthur's Pass, Kirk! Cockayne! T. F. C.; Waimakariri Glacier, T. F. C.; Ashburton Mountains, Potts! Mount Cook district, T. F. C. Westland—Kelly's Hill, Petrie! 2500–4500 ft. December–February.
A very distinct species. The leaves are quite unlike those of any other species belonging to the same section of the genus, having the sheathing bases not much wider than the blade; but they much resemble those of D. strictum, in the section with panicled inflorescence. Its only near ally is D. pubescens, which differs in the pubescent leaves and 3–5-flowered spikes.
15. D. uniflorum, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 182.—A stout erect shrub 3–6 ft. high; bark dark-brown or almost black. Leaves crowded at the tips of the branches, erect, strict or flexuous, ½–2 in. long; sheathing base 110–16 in. broad, rounded at the tip but not auricleii, margins cihate; blade 120–115 in. broad at the base, rigid, coriaceous, pungent, semiterete below, triquetrous above, margin most minutely serrulate. Flowers solitary, lateral, ¼–⅓ in. long, shortly pedicelled. Bracts 3–6, with broad sheathing bases, tips pungent, often exceeding the flower. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, acute, as long as the corolla-tube. Corolla-lobes ovate-triangular, acute. Capsule broadly obovoid, enclosed in the persistent calvx-lobes.—D. acerosum, Berggr. in Minnesk. Fisiog. Sallsk. Lund. (1877) 15.
Var. acicularifolium.—Leaves much longer, 2–4 in., narrowed into long acicular points; sheaths broader, auricled at the tips.
Var. virgatum.—Whole plant purplish-brown. Branches long, very slender, sparingly leafy. Leaves small, ¼–¾ in. long. Bracts with pale membranous margins.
South Island: Abundant in mountain districts from Nelson to Foveaux Straits. Var. acicularifolium: Broken River basin, and other localities in the mountains of Canterbury, Kirk! Enys! T. F. C. Var. virgatum: Westland—Near Kumara, Kirk! Denniston, J. Caffin! 2000–4500 ft. December–March.
16. D. rosmarinifolium, R. Br. Prodr. 556.—A depressed or prostrate, rarely suberect, much-branched rigid woody shrub 3–12 in. high; branches stout, spreading, leafy at the tips. Leaves erect or spreading, rigid, straight or curved, ¼–¾ in. long; sheathing base short, ⅛ in. wide; blade 120 in. wide at the base, very thick and coriaceous, convex at the back, flat or concave in front, tip trigonous, obtuse or rarely subacute, margins entire or very minutely scabrid. Flowers solitary, terminating the branchlets and often confined to the lateral ones, ⅙ in. long. Bracts numerous, with broad sheathing bases and subulate tips. Sepals ovate, acute, about as long as the corolla-tube. Corolla-lobes ovate, acute.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 220; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 414; Raoul, Choix, 44; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 171; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 183. Epacris rosmarinifolia, Forst. Prodr. n. 67.
Var. politum.—Stems long and creeping or short and tufted, sometimes forming compact masses. Leaves numerous, densely imbricated in many series, erect and appressed to the branch, ¼–⅓ in. long, red-brown, convex and smooth and polished on the back, concave in front, tips very obtuse. Flowers almost hidden by the leaves.
North Island: Tararua Range, Buchanan! South Island, Stewart Island: Common in mountain districts throughout. Var. politum: Maungatua, near Dunedin, Petrie! Mount Anglem and Smith's Lookout (Stewart Island), Kirk! 2500–5500 ft. December–March.
17. D. prostratum, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiii. (1881) 384.—A small prostrate species; stems 3–12 in. long, sometimes slender and sparingly divided, sometimes robust and copiously branched, but the branches never so closely compacted as in D. muscoides. Leaves imbricating, erect, incurved when dry, ⅛–¼ in. long; sheathing base short, with broad thin margins, narrowed into a linear-subulate blade, which is obtuse or subacute at the tip, coriaceous, convex at the back, flat or slightly concave in front, curved, margins minutely serrulate. Flowers solitary, terminating the branches, ⅙ in. long, white. Sepals ovate, subacute, rather shorter than the corolla-tube. Corolla-lobes broadly ovate-triangular.
South Island: Otago—Mountains above Lake Harris; Longwood Range, Kirk! Maungatua, Clinton Valley, and Blue Mountains, Petrie! 1000–4000 ft.
Differs from D. muscoides in the larger size and much more lax habit, and in the longer leaves, which are not so closely imbricated; but some of Mr. Petrie's specimens are almost intermediate.
18. D. muscoides, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 183.—A small densely tufted rigid little plant, forming rounded masses a few inches in diameter; branches short, densely packed, clothed with minute closely imbricating leaves. Leaves 110–18 in. long, very thick and coriaceous, rigid, concave; sheathing base about half the length, broadly ovate, margins thin; tip short, subulate, polished, semiterete, obtuse or more rarely subacute. Flower solitary, terminal, ⅙ in. long, white. Sepals ovate, subacute, as long as the corolla. Corolla-tube short and broad, cylindrical; lobes very broad, obtuse or subacute.
South Island: Otago—Mount Alta and Hector's Col, Buchanan! Old Man Range, Hector Mountains, Mount Pisa, Mount St. Bathan's, Petrie! 4000–6000 ft.
In the Index Kewensis this is referred to the Tasmanian D. minimum; but, judging from a scrap of that species received from the late Baron Mueller, it differs in the more rigid habit and shorter and more closely imbricated leaves, which are also thicker and not nearly so acute.