PuatE 34—CARMICH ALIA ODORATA. 
Famity LEGUMINOS.. | [Genus CARMICHAILIA, R. Br. 
Carmichelia odorata, Col. ex Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel.1, 50; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 115. 
This beautiful plant was first detected by Mr. Colenso in December, 1843, while 
travelling from Wairoa (Hawke’s Bay) to Lake Waikaremoana; and in the 
following year he also observed it in great abundance between Hawke’s Bay and 
the foot of the Ruahine Range. Being much impressed by the odour of the flowers, 
which, as he says, “ filled the air with their fragrance,” he gave it the MS. name 
of Carmichelia odorata, and under this appellation it was published by Sir J. D. 
Hooker in the “ Flora Nove Zelandiw.” Subsequent observers have found that 
it is by no means uncommon along the flanks of the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges 
as far south as Cook Strait. Mr. Kirk has gathered it in Pelorus Sound, and 
specimens collected in the Nelson Provincial District by Travers and Monro were 
referred to it by Hooker, but I have not myself seen it on any South Island locality. 
C. odorata is closely allied to C. grandiflora, but can easily be distinguished by 
its taller and more slender habit, narrower pendulous branchlets, which are 
pubescent at the tips, smaller flowers, and shorter pods. It has the same leaty 
habit as C. grandiflora ; and, as in that species, the leaves are mostly deciduous 
after the ripening of the pods. Herbarium specimens do not, as a rule, give the 
idea that the branchlets are pendulous; and hence it is easy, when working upon 
those alone, to form the opinion that the racemes are drooping. In reality they 
are always erect, as will be easily understood on an examination of the plate. 
Puate 34. Carmichelia odorata, drawn from specimens collected near the base of the Ruahine 
Mountains by Bishop Williams. Fig. 1, leaf (x3); 2, flowers (x 4); 3, calyx laid open, with the 
petals removed, showing the stamens and the upper part of the style (x5); 4, standard (x 5); 
5, wing-petal (x5); 6, keel (x5); 7, section of ovary (x6); 8, ripe pod (x4); 9, section of 
pod (x 4); 10, section of seed (x 5). 
