PLATE 15.—-PITTOSPORUM ELLIPTICUM. 
Famity PITTOSPORACEA:. | [Genus PITTOSPORUM, Banks. 
Pittosporum ellipticum, 7. Kirk am Trans. N.Z. Inst. iv (1872), 266; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. 
Fl. 5%. 
I understand that this fine species was first collected by Dr. Sinclair, between 
the years 1852-54, on Mount Manaia, Whangarei; but as his specimens were not 
in flower or fruit they were not dealt with, either in the ‘“‘ Flora Nove Zelandize” or 
‘in the subsequently published ‘* Handbook.” In 1867 Mr. John Buchanan gathered 
it at Whangaroa, and in the following year Mr. Kirk rediscovered it on Mount Manaia. 
In 1872 I found it in abundance in the densely wooded ranges immediately to the 
north of the Manukau Heads, so far the only station known on the western side of 
the Island. In addition to the above, varieties, or closely related forms, are known 
from the Ohinemuri Gorge, the dividing range a few miles south of Te Aroha, and 
near the base of Hikurangi Mountain, East Cape district. 
P. ellipticum forms a small spreading tree 15 ft. to 25 ft. high, with black bark. 
Its nearest ally is undoubtedly P. virgatum, but that species is abundantly distinct 
in the lobed or pinnatifid leaves of the juvenile plants, in the much narrower leaves 
of the adult, and in the smaller flowers and capsules. P. Ralphiiis markedly different 
in habit, in the copious white tomentum, in the shape of the leaves, and in the flowers 
and fruit. 
The northern distribution of Prttosporum is noteworthy. Out of the nineteen 
species found in New Zealand nine are endemic in the North Island, two are confined 
to the South Island, and seven are found in both Islands. Only four species are 
found to the south of Banks Peninsula. The genus does not extend to the Chatham 
Islands, and only one species occurs in the Kermadec Islands. 
PuatE 15. Pittosporum ellipticum, drawn from specimens collected on the coast to the north 
of the Manukau Harbour. Fig. 1, male flower, with the petals removed (x3); 2, petal (x 3); 
3, stamen (x5); 4, ovary (x5); 5, hairs from ovary (enlarged) ; 6, female flower, with the petals 
removed (x3); 7, petal (x3); 8, section of ovary (enlarged); 9, seed (natural size); 10, section 
of seed (x 3); 11, embryo (x5). 
