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Botanical Notes and New Varieties.
[Read before the Auckland Institute, 28th May, 1929; received by the Editor 9th May, 1929; issued separately, 17th August, 1929.]
1. Hypolepis Bernh.
In my notes on Hypolepis (Trans. N.Z. Inst.,) 56 (1926) 82. I drew attention to the fact that, in addition to the three species described in the Manual of N.Z. Fl. 2 ed. 68 there are two other species overlooked by New Zealand pteridologists, viz., H. punctata (Thunberg) C. Christensen and H. rugosula (Labillardiere) J. Smith.
As well as the type forms of the five species I have specimens which cannot be placed under any of them but show marked indications of hybridity. These are:—
(1) H. punctata × tenuifolia, which has as a rule darkish brown stipes, as in H. tenuifolia, but is less pubescent, and the pale yellow rhachises of H. punctata.
Hab., North Auckland to Marlborough.
(2) H. punctata × rugosula. This bears a general resemblance to H. rugosula (better known perhaps as Polypodium punctatum var. rugulosum), but is paler and hardly shows any glandular pubescence.
Hab., Manawatu Co. and Marlborough Sounds.
(3) H. rugosula × tenuifolia resembles H. tenuifolia with the dark red-brown stipes of H. rugosula.
Hab., North Auckland and Marlborough.
(4) H. distans × rugosula rather like H. distans but has broader fronds and pinnules.
Hab., Piako, West Taupo, Waimarino.
(5) H. distans × millifolium a very marked form with the distant pinnae of H. distans and the finely cut pinnules of H. millifolium.
Hab., Atiamuri near Rotorua, K. W. Allison!
2. Scirpus fluitans (R. Br.) L.
In Trans. N.Z. Inst. 57 (1927) 89, I drew attention to the fact that this sedge is indigenous in New Zealand. I have now to record its occurrence in Lake Rotorua and in swamps at Atiamuri in the same region. I am indebted to Mr. K. W. Allison for specimens from both localities.
3. Juncus Holoschoenus R. Br. var. multiflorus var. nov.
Quam typo robustior. Caulis 50–75 cm. altus. Cymus valde decompositus, frequenter trichotome ramosus, 15–60 fasciculis. Fasciculi pauci—vel multiflori (6–40) Alioquin ut typo.
A more robust plant than the type. Stem 50–75 cm. high. Cymes very compound, repeatedly trichotomously branched, of 15–60
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fascicles. Fascicles few — or many-flowered. Otherwise as in type.
Determined by V. S. Summerhayes, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as a “robust form of Juncus holoschoenus.”
Hab., North Island. Swampy places near Albany; New Lynn; Titirangi; all in the vicinity of Auckland.
4. × Cordyline Gibbingsae hybr. nov.
(C. Banksii × pumilio)
Caulis 0 vel brevissimus, Folia ad illos C. Banksii similes sed minores. Panicula circa 1 m. longa, diffusa, flores circa 12 mm. longi, ramibus dispersis, vel in acervos pauci-floros. Baccae 6 mm. diam.
Stem 0 or very short. Leaves crowded, rising from a common base, drooping outwards about 5 ft. long. 1–2 inches wide at middle, similar to those of C. Banksii, but smaller. Panicle 2–3 ft. long, diffuse, flowers ½ size of those of C. Banksii, scattered on the branches, or 2–3-clustered. Berries about ⅕ in. diam.
This bears a striking resemblance to a small form of C. Banksii lacking the stem. It is probable that other forms more nearly approaching C. pumilio will be found. From × C. Matthewsii Carse it differs in the much longer leaves and larger flowers.
Hab., North Island. Among scrub on clay hill (associated with the suggested parents) Waiomio, Thames, Mrs. A. Gibbings.
5. Pittosporum umbellatum Banks and Sol.
Some years ago I noticed in a grove of Pittosporum umbellatum near Totara North, Whangaroa, that the leaves of juvenile plants and reversionary shoots were not entire as in mature plants but were mostly variously lobed, with here and there, and nearly always at the top, some entire leaves. Later on I received from Mr. B. Sladden of Tauranga similar specimens collected by him on the Little Barrier Island.
In his seedling specimens the lowest leaves are entire. Above these to the top they are lobed except in one specimen which has a few entire leaves at the apex of the stem. His reversionary shoots have more deeply lobed leaves than mine from Totara North.
Mr Johnson, nursery-man of Herne Bay, Auckland, informs me that he has raised hundreds of plants of this species from seed. The leaves of the first year were entire, later lobed leaves appeared, and eventually the entire leaves of maturity were produced.
From this evidence it seems probable that the juvenile form of this plant always has lobed leaves.
At Totara North I saw two mature trees, in fruit, most of the leaves of which are bluntly toothed or lobed. They are full sized and the lobes give them a general resemblance to the leaves of the Oak.
6.Hebe diosmoefolia (R. Cunn.) Ckne. & Allan.
var. Vernalis var. nov.
Frutex 6–15 dm. altus; rami non patentes, saepe implicati. Folia illis typi similes sed minores 5–10 mm. longa, 2–4 mm. lata. Flores illis typi non differunt.
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A small shrub 2–5 ft. high, branches close-set markedly different from the open virgate habit of the type form. Leaves similar to those of type but smaller .3 to .7 in. long, .1 to .2 wide. Flowers as in type.
Hab., North Island: Waipoua Forest; Bay of Islands; and Whangarei. September-October.
Type form flowers. December-January.
Referring to specimens of H. diosmoefolia I sent, V. S. Summerhayes, of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, says: “These have smaller leaves than any specimen we have in the Herbarium and in that respect do not agree with the type of Hebe diosmoefolia (R. Cunn.) Cockayne and Allan. They may represent a definite variety (“jordanon”) I can see no floral differences.” This referred to the small-leaved form; of the other he says:—“These agree with Cunningham's types of H. diosmoefolia both as to leaf size and openness of growth. On Cunningham's label is the following: ‘A slender twiggy shrub from 3–12 ft. high, December 1833.’”
The type form (as above) has been noted from the North Cape District to the Bay of Islands.
The differences in habit, in the size of the leaf, and in the flowering period mark this plant as a distinct variety.
7.Pratia angulata (Forst. f.) Hook. f.
Var. minor var. nov.
Caules tenues, conferti 3–7 cm. longi. Folia orbiculares vel late oblonga, integra, sub-angulata vel cum 1–2 dentibus obtusis utrinque. Flores illis typi congruentis sed multo minores, circiter 7 mm, longi. Baceae ad illos type similes sed minores.
A small creeping plant rooted at the nodes, forming matted patches 3–6 in. diam. Stems slender, almost filiform, slightly angled, or with 1–2 blunt teeth on each side. Flowers and fruit as in type but smaller.
Hab., North Island: In various parts of Waimarino Plain in pumice sand.