Wainui Valley and South Karori Stream

Plants which are undoubtedly hybrids were discovered at the above localities, and in both cases Acaena anserinifolia and A. novae-zelandiae were observed in the vicinity. The hybrids were not subjected to detailed study but sufficient information was obtained to suggest that they were first generation crosses between the above two species.

Hybrid seed from the South Karori Stream had a germination rate of 38% reduced to an effective rate of 36% by the death of one seedling.

The first leaves varied in form from simple to trifoliate. Simple — 4 plants; simple, deeply incised—3 plants; trifoliate—11 plants. Adult leaves varied greatly in size, shape and colour.

In the Wainui-o-Mata Valley seed was collected from two plants suspected to be hybrids between Acaena anserinifolia and A. novae-zelandiae in the vicinity. The first had a germination rate of 40% reduced to an effective rate of 16% by the death of several seedlings. The first leaves were as follows: simple — 3 plants; simple deep incised—3 plants; trifoliate—5 plants.

The second seed lot had a germination rate of 14%, reducing to an effective rate of 12%. The first leaves were as follows: simple—3 plants; simple deeply incised—3 plants; trifoliate—6 plants.