Botanical Notes, New Species and Varieties.

By H. Carse.

[Read before the Auckland Institute 4th October, 1927; received by Editor, 23rd November, 1927; issued separately, 10th August, 1928.]

1. Pteris saxatilis sp. nov.

Filix P. macilentae A. Rich, affinis sed in partibus omnibus minor. Stipes 8-24 cm. longus, tenuis, canaliculatus, flavus, suffuscus, vel purpurens, glaber, infra squamosus. Frondes 10-36 cm. longae, 8-15 cm. latae, ovatae vel lanceolatae, valde membranaceae, 3-4—pinnatae. Rhachis fere filiformis. Pinnae primariae distantes, inferiores 8-18 cm. longae, adscendentes; pinna terminalis 25 mm. longa, segmenta ultima alte et acute dentata, apex saepe laciniatus, sori in segmentorum sinibus positi, brevissimi.

Syn. P. macilenta A. Rich. var. saxatilis Carse in Trans. N.Z. Inst., 51 (1919) 98.

North Island: North Cape to Franklin County, H. B. Dobbie!, H. B. Matthews!, H. C.: Mahia Pen.: Hawkes Bay, G. O. K. Sainsbury! South Island: Marlborough, J. H. McMahon!

After some years further study of this plant I am convinced that it is very distinct from P. macilenta.

2. Cares diandra Schrank.

This plant has been collected by Mr. K. W. Allison near Rotorua, about 50 miles north of Lake Taupo, the most northerly habitat from which it has hitherto been recorded.

3. Hydrocotyle moschata Forst. f. var. parvifolia var. nov.

Planta dense implexa, in partibus omnibus typo minor. Folia 2-5 mm. diam. hispida utrinque±, ut in typo lobata. Flores fructusque cum typo congruenter sed pauciores minoresque.

Forming dense mats. Leaves ± hispid on both surfaces, lobed as in the type form. Flowers and fruit smaller.

This form is so constant in its matted habit and smaller leaves, flowers, and fruit, that I have for some time considered it worthy of varietal rank.

North Island: Mangonui to Waimarino, H. C.

4. Mazus radicans Cheesem.

The Manual of the N.Z. Flora (1925) 772 gives as North Island localities for this plant “Head of the Wairarapa Valley and Tararua Mountains.”

I have specimens from the Rotorua district collected by Mr. K. W. Allison, who writes, “The Mazus is not common here, but seems well established, as it grows in at least three swamps here several miles apart.”

5. Coprosma macrocarpa Cheesem.

As was natural to expect, this plant, hitherto recorded from the Three Kings Islands only, has been noted on the mainland. Mr. H. B. Matthews discovered it over a year ago a little south of Cape Maria van Diemen, and later he and I found it not uncommon in a wood in Tom Bowling Bay, near the North Cape.

6. Olearia pacnyphylla Cheesem.

This handsome plant, previously known only from the Bay of Plenty district, was gathered some years ago in the Kaweka Range by Mr. B. C. Aston.