PLATE 19.—STELLARIA GRACILENTA. 
Famity CARYOPHYLLACE., } [Genus STELLARIA, Linn. 
Stellaria gracilenta, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. 11, 326; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 65. 
For the discovery of this plant we are indebted to Mr. J. C. Bidwill, who was 
not only the first explorer of Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, in the centre of the North 
Island, but who was also the first botanist to visit several of the higher mountains 
of Nelson. The collections which he formed thereon were forwarded to Sir W. J. 
Hooker, at Kew, and contained many novelties, among which was the plant now 
figured. It was next gathered by Sir David Monro, who did so much to elucidate 
the botany of the northern part of the South Island, and has since been found to 
be generally distributed in mountain districts from Nelson to the south of Otago. 
It has not yet been recorded from either the North Island or Stewart Island, 
although its presence in both might have been anticipated. It is usually found in 
stony or gravelly places at an elevation of about 3,000 ft., but ascends as high as 
5,000 ft., and descends to sea-level at the mouth of the Waitaki and Rakaia Rivers, 
and possibly in other localities. 
Stellaria gracilenta is easily recognized by its rigid and wiry habit, lnear- 
subulate leaves, and long peduncles. It is often closely cropped by sheep, and 
then forms a close rigid turf quite unlike the lax open habit which it usually 
possesses. During recent years it has increased considerably in several mountain 
districts in South Canterbury and Otago. 
Prate 19. Stellaria gracilenta, drawn from specimens collected on Mount Peel, Nelson, at an 
altitude of 4,000 ft. Fig. 1, portion of branch, showing leaves (x 6); 2, peduncle, with bracts and 
a solitary terminal flower (x 2); 3, flower (x 2); 4, sepal (x8); 5, petal (x 8); 6, stamens (x 8) ; 
7, ovary (x 10); 8, section of ovary, showing ovules (x 10); 9, ripe capsule (x 8); 10, seed (x 8) ; 
11, section of seed, showing embryo (x 8). 
