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Volume 14, 1881
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Mitrasacme cheesemanii, Buch., n.s.

A small, much-branched, rigid, woody shrub, branches ascending, 3–5 inches long, with the leaves on 1/16 inch diameter. Leaves coriaceous, densely, 4-fariously imbricate, triangular, acute, entire, concave, ciliate on the margins of the lower half, connate in pairs at the base. Flowers tetramerous umbelled, umbels consisting of 4 or more 4-flowered spikelets, each having 2 opposite pairs of bracteate flowers, forming a small ball at the termination of branches. Calyx deeply 4-cleft, lobes linear-obtuse, ciliate on the margins

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1. Lobelia Rouchii, Hook f.
2. Locania Tetracona, Hook. f.
Locania Armstrongh, Buchanan, n.s.

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1. Mitrasacme Hookeri. Buchanan.n.s.
2. Mitrasacme Cheesemanii, Buchanan.n.s.

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and outer base. Corolla with a short tube, lobes 4, linear, obovate, obtuse. Stamens 2 inserted within the mouth of the corolla. Anthers large on top, and cleft half way up, capsule narrow-oblong, seated in a cup-shaped disc.

Hab.—South Island: Mount Alta, 5,000 feet alt.—Buchanan and McKay, 1881.

Plate XXIX., fig. 2, plant nat. size; 2 a, leaf; 2 b, 4-flowered spikelet; 2 c, flower; 2 d, diagram of corolla; 2 e, sepals front and side view; 2f, flower bract.

The tetramerous flowers and clustered arrangement of the spikelets place this species also in Mitrasacme, and the very small triangular-shaped leaves distinguish it from M. hookeri. The peculiar leafless-like branches and inconspicuous flowers of this small alpine cause it to be easily overlooked, but it is none the less interesting to botanists. Named in honour of T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., who has added much to our knowledge of the botany of New Zealand.

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