PLATE 35.—CARMICH ALIA GRACILIS. 
Famity LEGUMINOS.] [Genus CARMICHASLIA, R. Br. 
Carmichelia gracilis, Armstr. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiii (1880), 336; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. 
TH, tlic 
This curious species was first discovered by Mr. J. B. Armstrong on the site 
of the City of Christchurch, some time prior to 1870, and in 1880 was published 
by him under the name of Carmichelia gracilis. In 1882 Mr. T. Kirk and Mr. D. 
Petrie separately collected it in several widely separated localities in Otago; but, 
unfortunately, the identity of their specimens with Mr. Armstrong’s was not at 
first recognized, so that it was figured and described by Sir J. D. Hooker in the 
“Tcones Plantarum” under the name of C. Kirkii (t. 1332). Since then the plant 
has been found in several other localities in eastern and Central Otago; and as 
a comparison of Otago and Canterbury specimens has failed to disclose any 
differences between them the name of C. gracilis must be applied to both. The 
plant therefore appears under that name in my “‘ Manual of the New Zealand Flora.” 
Its distribution has not yet been fully ascertained, but it is apparently a somewhat 
rare and local plant, extending from the Waimakariri River to eastern and Central 
Otago. Its altitudinal range is from sea-level to 1,500 ft. 
C. gracilis has a very different habit from the majority of the species of 
Carmichelia. Its long and flexuous stems and branches are usually unable to 
support their own weight, and are either interlaced with the adjacent vegetation 
or with themselves, or are even partially scandent. In moist shaded situations 
it is decidedly leafy; but in drier localities, exposed to sun and wind, the plant is 
often quite leafless. Its peculiar habit, large flowers, and large turgid pod, with 
a long almost pungent beak, easily separate it from all other species of the genus. 
Puate 35. Carmichelia gracilis, drawn from specimens collected by Mr. D. Petrie at Otepopo, 
Otago. Fig. 1, flower, with petals removed (x 3) ; 2, calyx laid open, with petals and stamens removed, 
showing the ovary and style (x 5); 3, standard (x 3); 4, one of the wing-petals (x 3); 5, keel (x 3) ; 
6, section of ovary (x 8); 7, ripe pod (x 3); 8, seed (x 3); 9, embryo (x 6). 
