empty, on shorter filaments. Ovary large, densely villous at the tip: style long; stigma capitate, exserted. Fruit small, ovoid.—Raoul, Choix, 42; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 222; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 245. D. macrantha, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxii. (1890) 487. Kelleria Dieffenbachii, Endl. Gen. Suppl. iv. 61; Meisn. in D.C. Prodr. xiv. 566.
Var. laxa.—Pale-green, more laxly branched. Leaves larger, spreading or ascending, ⅙–¼ in. long, linear-oblong, obtuse, rather thin, almost flat, conspicuously nerved, ciliate on the margins and back. Heads 3–8-flowered. Perianth-lobes almost equalling the tube; scales 8, small. Perhaps a distinct species.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Common in mountain districts from Moehau (Cape Colville) and Hikurangi southwards. Var. laxa: Ruahine Mountains, H. Tryon! Nelson—Mountains flanking the Wairau Valley, T.F.C.; Mount Murchison, Townson! 2000–4500 ft. December–March.
A very variable plant, which does not seem to be separated by any definite characters from the following species. The var. laxa may prove distinct, but it requires further study with a larger suite of specimens than has yet been obtained.
2. D. villosa, Cheesem.—Very similar in most of its characters to D. Dieffenbachii, but usually a more robust plant, with the branchlets more or less villous with greyish hairs, and with slightly larger leaves that are somewhat broader at the base, and have the margins and frequently the back ciliate to the base. Flowers in 3–4-flowered heads at the tips of the branches, similar to those of D. Dieffenbachii, but the glands always 8.—Kelleria villosa, Berggren in Minnesk. Fisiog. Sallsk. Lund. (1877) 18, t. 5, f. 1–15.
Var. multiflora.—Leaves longer, strict, ascending, ⅕–¼ in. long, narrow linear-lanceolate, tapering from the base to an obtuse tip, slightly convex on the back, conspicuously 5-nerved; margins ciliate with long straight hairs and with a pencil of hairs at the apex. Flowers in 5–12-flowered heads at the tips of the branches. Glands 8, very small.
South Island: Mountain districts in Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago, apparently not uncommon. Var. multiflora: Nelson—Mount Arthur Plateau, T.F.C.; Mount Faraday, Townson! Canterbury—Candlestick Mountains, Cockayne! Mount Torlesse, T.F.C. Westland—Kelly's Hill, Petrie! 2500–4500 ft. December–March.
Not at all a satisfactory species. The var. multiflora agrees in the villous branches, but differs in a marked degree in the longer, strict, strongly nerved leaves, and more numerous flowers. All the forms of villosa and Dieffenbachii are much in need of a careful revision.
3. D. Lyallii, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. ii. 336.—A compactly branched moss-like plant, usually forming dense patches 1–4 in. diam.; branches short, erect or ascending. Leaves very densely imbricate, usually erect, 112–110 in. long, narrow-ovate or ovate-oblong or ovate-subulate, broadest at the base and then tapering gradually to an acute or subacute tip, convex and smooth on the
