PLATE 5.—RANUNCULUS ENYSII. 
Famity RANUNCULACE.] [Genus RANUNCULUS, Linn. 
Ranunculus Enysii, 7. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xii (1880), 394; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 13. 
Ranunculus Enysii is one of the most distinct species found in New Zealand, 
and although highly variable in many of its characters can never be confounded 
with any other member of the genus. It was first found, about the year 1878, by 
Mr. J. D. Enys, at that time resident at Castle Hill, in the Canterbury Alps. It 
fitly commemorates the services rendered to natural science in New Zealand by 
its discoverer, who for many years rendered invaluable assistance to every scientific 
explorer of the mountains of central Canterbury. 
The range of R. Enysii is not precisely known, but it has been recorded from 
many localities in the Canterbury Alps, and is particularly abundant in the upper 
portion of the Waimakariri River basin, from Mount Torlesse to Bealey. In this 
district it is usually found in moist sheltered places along the sides of streams or 
ravines. I have not seen it at a lower elevation than 1,800 ft., and apparently 
it does not ascend higher than 4,000 ft., above which its place is taken by the more 
alpine Rk. Sinclairii. Outside Canterbury the only localities that I know for it are 
the Taieri Hills, in eastern Otago, from whence specimens were described by 
Mr. J. Buchanan under the name of R. tenuis (Trans. N.Z. Inst. xx (1888), 255, 
t. 12), but which clearly represent a form of R. Enysii with more pinnately divided 
leaves than usual; and Lake Harris, in western Otago, where it was gathered by 
the late Mr. T. Kirk. 
The affinities of R. Enysii are obscure. Mr. Kirk compared it with 
R. lappaceus, and no doubt there is a superficial resemblance to highly developed 
forms of that species; but it differs altogether in the glabrous habit, more deeply 
divided leaves, and particularly in the turgid achene, which is never compressed 
or margined, as in that species. A relationship to R. geraniifolius has also been 
suggested, but the resemblances are by no means convincing. 
Pate 5. Ranunculus Enysii, drawn from specimens collected by the Broken River, Canterbury 
Alps, at an altitude of 2,500 ft. Fig. 1, petal, showing nectary (x 3); 2, stamen (x8); 3, carpel 
from flower (x 8); 4, ripe carpel (x 8). 
