PLatE 33.—CARMICH ALIA GRANDIFLORA. 
Famity LEGUMINOS.] [Grnus CARMICHALIA, R. Br. 
Carmichelia grandiflora, Hook. {. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 49; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 115. 
This is one of the many plants added to the New Zealand flora by Dr. Lyall, 
who, as surgeon-naturalist on H.M.S. “ Acheron” during the years 1847-51, made 
large collections in the Sounds of the south-west coast of Otago, and elsewhere on 
the coast-line of the South Island. His specimens were gathered in Milford Sound, 
and were considered by Mr. Bentham (who prepared the account of Carmichelia 
given in the “ Flora Nove Zelandiz ”’) to be a variety of the common North Island 
C. australis. In 1862 Sir Julius von Haast collected the same plant in the Mount 
Cook district, where it is not uncommon; and a few years later Mr. Buchanan 
gathered it in the Lake district of Otago. As the specimens obtained in the 
localities quoted above amply proved the distinctness of the species, Sir J. D. 
Hooker published it in the ‘* Handbook” under the name which it now bears. 
Carmichelia grandiflora ranges from the south of the Nelson Provincial District 
to Port Preservation, on the south-west coast of Otago. It is essentially a plant 
of those districts which receive the abundant rainfall of the western side of the 
South Island, and hence it is common in the river-valleys of Westland, and in 
the Sounds of the south-west coast of Otago, where it descends to sea-level. But 
towards the head of the great rivers which flow from the dividing-range of the 
Southern Alps to the eastern coast there are many places which participate in the 
heavy westerly rainfall, and in these C. grandiflora flourishes in perfection ; such 
as the sources of the Waimakariri, the head of the Rakaia and Rangitata, and the 
Mount Cook district. The altitudinal range of the plant is from sea-level to 3,500 ft. 
or nearly 4,000 ft. 
C. grandiflora, with its close ally C. odorata, differs from most of the species of 
Carmichelia in being decidedly leafy in spring and summer. But in autumn the 
leaves are more or less deciduous, so that the plant then assumes the characteristic 
leafless habit of the genus. It is an exceedingly variable plant. Mr. T. Kirk, in 
his ‘Students’ Flora,” enumerates three varieties, and there are other distinct- 
looking forms. These varieties differ in size, in the mode of branching, in the 
number and colour of the flowers, and in the size and shape of the pod. But before 
their systematic position can be properly understood they all require careful study 
and examination in the field. 
Like several of the species of Carmichelia, the flowers are deliciously sweet- 
scented. Mr. T. Kirk, in the “‘ Students’ Handbook,” says that the flowers of his 
variety alba “smell disgustingly of mice.” But this peculiarity, so far as my own 
observations go, is only noticeable when the plant is being dried. In the fresh state 
the odour of the flowers is decidedly pleasant. 
Pirate 33. Carmichelia grandiflora, drawn from specimens gathered in the Mount Cook district, 
at an elevation of 3,000 ft. Fig. 1, flower (x 3); 2, calyx laid open and petals removed to show the 
stamens and the upper part of the style (x4); 3, standard (x 5); 4, one of the wing-petals (x 4) ; 
5, keel (x 4); 6, section of ovary (x 6); 7, ripe pod (x 3); 8, section of pod (x 3); 9, embryo (x 5). 
