Aciphylla hectori, Buch., n.s.

Stem 10–12 inches high, deeply grooved. Leaves all radical, sheathing near the root and forming a circle 6–8 inches diameter, pinnate, 3–5-foliate, leaflets 1½–2½ inches long, ⅕–⅙ inch broad, rigid, smooth, margins finely serrulate, pungent, striate. Male inflorescence racemose, occupying three-quarters of the stem, and with a 3-foliate stem-leaf at the base. Flowering bracts with large sheaths, 1–3 inches long, 3-foliate, soft, and membraneous, each bract enfolding a small spike of male flowers. Female racemes rigid, occupying less than the half of the stem, bracts ½–1 inch long, 3-foliolate, sheaths very small. Carpels 3–5-winged.

Allied to Aciphylla colensoi, and may be considered as its alpine representative. Collected near Hector's Col on the Mount Aspiring range, at 5,000 feet alt. Named in compliment to Dr. Hector, who accomplished the passage in 1862.

Plate XXVII., fig. 1, spike of male plant; 1′, portion enlarged; 2, female plant in seed; 3, seed, front view; 3′, seed, side view.

Note on the genus Aciphylla.—At the period of Dr. Hector's explorations in the Wanaka District in 1862, the valley of the Matukituki River was, on account of the prevalence of spear-grass (chiefly Aciphylla colensoi) impassable except by frequently crossing the river, which latter was often dangerous; at the present date scarcely a plant is to be seen, frequent burnings, and stocking the country with cattle and sheep, having destroyed the plants.

The alpine forms of the genus may still be collected in abundance, those collected at this time were Aciphylla monroi, A. lyallii, and A. dobsonii, the latter a very rare plant, being found only on Station Mountain, Lake Ohou, at an alt. of 6,000 feet where only a few plants were seen.