170 Trait mictions. 



treatment was foi the most part due, I believe, to Hooker's statement m 

 the Handbook (p. 76), as follows : l I have repeatedly studied the New 

 Zealand ones [Epilobia], many of which completely puzzle me. The following 

 descriptions represent in many cases perhaps prevalent forms rather than 

 species ; and the student will certainly find intermediates between most 

 of them. It is useless attempting to name many species until copious 

 suites of specimens are collected, the characters being to a great extent 

 comparative." 



Cheeseman's description of Epilobium chloraefolium in the Manual is ex- 

 cellent. However, he states (p. 178) that, though a well-marked plant, it is 

 '" at the same time a very variable one, especially in height, degree of branch- 

 ing, size of flowers and capsules, &c." But this variability depends, so far as 

 my investigations go, not upon there being a number of true-breeding races 

 (microspecies) included in either Cheeseman's or Haussknecht's groups, but 

 rather upon true variability according to environment — shade- and sun- 

 plants, for instance, differing greatly in certain particulars. Also, I rather 

 suspect that certain hybrids are included by Cheeseman in his group. 



In this note I am suggesting an enlargement of the conception of the 

 species by adding a distinct true-breeding group which, although it fits well 

 into the original description if size of organs is ignored, far surpasses the 

 type in this respect. I am also giving a varietal name to the " type," so 

 that to those accepting my conclusions the group E. chloraefolium will 

 consist of the two varieties and of any other allied varieties which may be 

 segregated from the individuals now constituting the species, or in course 

 of time be discovered. 



(a.) Epilobium chloraefolium Hausskn. var. kaikourense Cockayne var. nov. 



Habitu robustiore, floribus duplo majoribus a typo differt. 



This well-marked variety is distinguished at a glance from any form of 

 Epilobium chloraefolium by its exceedingly robust habit and large white 

 flowers, which at times are quite 28 mm. in diameter when fully opened. 



The stems, decumbent at first, finally erect and woody in their older 

 parts, are stout, purple, shining, smooth, and minutely bifariously pubescent. 

 The leaves are numerous, moderately close-set, pilose especially on the 

 margin at the base and on the petiole when young but finally glabrous, 

 rather thick, coriaceous, somewhat glossy, bright- or yellowish-green above, 

 often reddish beneath, and taper into a short, broad, channelled petiole 

 about 4 mm. long ; the lamina is more or less broadly oblong or even elliptic, 

 about 20 mm. long by 12 mm. wide and distinctly but minutely toothed, 

 its apex is obtuse, the midrib is strongly keeled, and the lateral veins distinct. 



The flowers are few in the axils of the terminal leaves, white, invariably 

 large, and often attain 28 mm. diameter. The plant continues blooming 

 for more th;m six months. The capsule is about 3-3 cm. long, dark purple, 

 minutely pubescent ; its peduncle is only 3-5 mm. long — i.e., it is much 

 shorter than the subtending leaf, which may be 19 mm. long or longer. 

 The seeds are numerous, + 1-75 mm. long, light-brown, and papillose. 



The great differences in appearance which the above - described vars. 

 of E. chloraefolium present made me inclined at one time to consider the 

 var. kaikourense a distinct species, especially as it came true from seed 

 and occupied a special limited area of distribution. So long ago as 1892 

 Mr. T. Kirk wrote to me regarding a specimen (herb. L. Cockayne, No. 3668) 

 I submitted for his opinion, " May prove distinct, but further specimens 

 must be examined — a very interesting form." 



