PLATE 42.—ACKAMA ROSASFOLIA. 
Famity SAXIFRAGACEA | [Genus ACKAMA, A. Cunn. 
Ackama rosefolia, 4. Cunn. Precur. n. 520; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 137. 
This is one of the many discoveries made by the indefatigable Allan 
Cunningham during his first visit to New Zealand, made in the year 1826. At 
that time all travelling had to be done on foot, along devious Maori tracks leading 
over steep hills and passing through dense forests, and often had to be performed 
under circumstances involving great privation and no little danger. His first 
specimens were collected in the Hokianga district, a locality where eight years later 
it was again met with by his brother, R. Cunningham. Cunningham recognized 
the distinctness of the plant, and in his “ Precursor ” established the genus Ackama 
for its reception, the name being a not very successful anagram of its Maori name 
makamaka. Subsequent botanists have repeatedly gathered it, but its range 
is exceedingly confined. Its northern limit is the undulating country between 
Kaitaia and Mongonui, from whence it stretches southwards almost as far as 
Whangarei. East and west it extends from the Bay of Islands to Hokianga. Hven 
in this limited area it is nowhere abundant, and in many localities is decidedly rare. 
The genus Ackama has long been supposed to be limited to two species—one 
from New Zealand, the other from northern New South Wales. Lately, however, 
a third species (A. Nymaniw, K. Schum.) has been described from New Guinea. 
As a genus it is very closely related to Weinmannia, dffering mainly in the valvate 
calyx and paniculate inflorescence. In Weimmannia the inflorescence is invariably 
racemose, and the calyx is imbricate. 
Ackama rosefolia is a handsome tree 20ft. to 40 ft. high, with a trunk 1 ft. to 
2 ft. in diameter. At present it is not in cultivation, but it is well worth establishing 
in gardens and plantations in the northern portion of the Dominion. It is said 
to be of rapid growth, and n habit and foliage is most attractive. The leaves are 
much more graceful in shape than those of its near ally Weinmannia sylvicola, and 
the colour a much more pleasant shade of green. Nothing is known of the value 
of the timber, but the bark has been used for tanning. 
PiaTEe 42. Ackama rosefolia, drawn from specimens gathered by Mr. R. H. Matthews at Kaitaia, 
Mongonui County. Fig. 1, hermaphrodite flower; 2, the same laid open; 3, female flower, with the 
petals removed ; 4, portion of the perigynous disc, with 3 stamens: 5, section of ovary: 6, fruit ; 
7, fruit in a dehiscent state ; 8, seed ; 9. section of seed, showing embryo. (All enlarged.) 
