34. C. retusa, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvi. (1894) 268.—A much-branched procumbent shrub; branches short, stout or slender, straggllng; bark pale, marked by two opposite lines of pubescence interrupted at the nodes. Leaves ¼–⅔ in. long, linear-obovate or oblong-obovate, retuse or almost 2-lobed at the tip, gradually narrowed into a short stout petiole, thick and coriaceous, flat or concave above, midrib usually distinct beneath; margins thickened and recurved, very minutely crenulate. Stipules broad, with 3 cartilaginous teeth, oiliate. Flowers solitary, terminating short leafy branchlets. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla ¼–⅓ in. long, broadly campanulate, 4–5-partite. Females: Calyx-limb with 4–5 subulate teeth. Corolla narrow-campanulate, 4–5-partite; segments narrow, revolute. Styles stout, sometimes 3. Drupe 14 in. long, ovoid, yellowish-red.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 243.
South Island: Nelson—Mount Rochfort, Townson! Westland—Kelly's Hill, Petrie! Arthur's Pass, Cockayne! T.F.C. Southland—Clinton Saddle, Lake Te Anau, Petrie! Longwood Range, Kirk! 2000–3500 ft. December–January.
A very distinct species, easily known by the straggling habit, retuse leaves with minutely crenulate margins, and rather large terminal flowers. It has the disagreeable odour of C. fœtidissima when bruised.
35. C. cuneata, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 21, t. 15.—A stout erect or spreading closely branched shrub 2–10 ft. high; branches woody and rigid, densely leafy, the younger ones puberulous; bark greyish-white to dark-brown. Leaves close-set, usually fascicled on short lateral branchlets, 15–34 in. long, 110–14 in. broad, linear- or oblong-obovate or cuneate-oblong, obtuse or subacute, almost sessile, patent or recurved, rigid and coriaceous, often concave above, almost veinless; margins slightly recurved. Stipules short and broad, usually densely fimbriate or ciliate. Flowers solitary, terminating the branchlets, sessile, involucellate. Males: Calyx wanting. Corolla: ¼ in. long, campanulate, 4–5-lobed. Females: Calyx-limb 4–5-lobed; lobes unequal. Corolla 15 in. long, 4-lobed to the middle. Drupe 18–16 in. diam., globose, red.—Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 110; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 117; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 249; Kirk, Students' Fl. 244.
North Island: Mount Hikurangi, Colenso, Adams and Petrie! Ruahine Mountains and Lake Taupo, Colenso; Mount Egmont, Dieffenhach, T.F.C. South Island, Stewart Island, Auckland and Campbell Islands, Antipodes Islands: Abundant in mountain districts. Usually from 2000 ft. to 5000 ft., but descends to sea-level in the Auckland Islands. November–January.
A variable plant, but separated from any other by the densely leafy habit, coriaceous often recurved linear-obovate or cuneate leaves, broad fimbriate stipules, and rather large solitary terminal flowers. In alpine localities it is often dwarfed to a foot or two in height, with rigid and woody interlaced branches aud small excessively coriaceous leaves.
