T. Kibe. — On Neiv Zealand Species of Gunnera. 345 



3. G. prorepens, Hook, f., PI. N.Z., i., 66. 



Ehizomes rather stout ; leaves 3in.-5in. long, ovate or 

 ovate-oblong or rarely elliptic, rounded at the apex, margins 

 entire or crenate ; more or less clothed with scattered hairs ; 

 petioles strigose or hairy. Scapes much shorter than the 

 petioles, wholly hidden among the leaves, strigose, stout, 

 unisexual. Male flowers not seen. Female perianth seg- 

 ments 4, linear-obovate, obtuse, concave, cucnllate ; styles 

 short, stout, slightly compressed. Drupes sessile or very 

 shortly pedicelled, forming a compact spike less than an inch 

 in length, broadly obconic, with a shallow groove at the apex, 

 red. Hook, f., Handbook N.Z. Fl., 68; D C, Prodr., xvi., ii., 

 599. 



Hah. In moist lowland and subalpine localities. North 

 Island : Wairoa Falls, Hunua ; T. Kirk. Taupo district ; 

 Captain Gilbert Mair ! Colenso. South Island : Nelson to 

 Southland ; Stewart Island ; T. Kirk. 



The short, stout spike and broadly obconic drupes dis- 

 tinguish this species from all others, although the leaves of 

 several bear a close resemblance. As in the next species, my 

 flowering specimens are too far advanced to allow of a com- 

 plete diagnosis being drawn. 



4. G. flavida, Colenso. In Trans. N.Z. Inst., xviii. (1885), 261. 



Densely tufted ; rhizomes rather stout. Leaves lin.-4in. 

 long, blade ovate or slightly ovate-cordate, rarely elliptic, 

 rounded at the apex, margins entire or slightly sinuate, or 

 rarely crenate at base, glabrous or with few weak hairs on 

 petiole ; petioles and peduncles red. Scape unisexual, 

 lm.-4in. long, usually exceeding the leaves when in fruit. 

 Male flowers not seen. Female, Jin.— |in. long, segments 4, the 

 two innermost ovate or oblong, ciliate at the apex ; outer 

 larger, obovate, cucullate, caducous. Drupes obconic, sessile 

 or very shortly pedicellate, crimson or lemon-coloured, form- 

 ing a lax spike, sometimes 2in. long, overtopping the leaves. 

 G. ovata, D. Petrie, Trans. N.Z. Inst., xxv. (1892), 274 (in 

 part), fruits only. G. elongata, T. Kirk, MSS. 



Hab. North Island (collected by Mr. Hill): Colenso! 

 probably not uncommon in the Taupo district. South Island : 

 Common in Otago, Southland, and Stewart Island ; T. Kirk. 

 Frequent amongst Sphagnum. 



Easily recognized by the red petiole and peduncles, and 

 especially by the obconic drupes, which are usually elevated 

 above the leaves. Mr. Colenso describes the fruiting state 

 only. I gladly take the opportunity of expressing my thanks 

 for one of his type-specimens : it has small elliptic leaves on 

 filiform petioles, but, as the drupes of both are identical, I 



