PLATE 49.—-METROSIDEROS PARKINSONII. 
Famity MYRTACE/,] [GENus METROSIDEROS, Banks. 
Metrosideros Parkinsonii, Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv (1883), 339, t. 28, f. 2; Cheesem. 
Man. N.Z. Fl. 163. 
Metrosideros Parkinsonii has by tar the most restricted range of any of the 
New Zealand species, being confined to the north-west portion of the South Island, 
stretching from Collingwood southwards to Mount Rochfort, the lower portion 
of the Buller Valley, and the northern temination of the Paparoa Range. It 
descends almost to sea-level in the Buller Valley, and ascends to nearly 3,000 ft. 
on Mount Rochfort. According to Mr. Townson, it is at times a straggling shrub, 
at others a small tree from 20 ft. to 25 ft. in height. Its brilliant crimson flowers 
render it a very conspicuous object during the flowering season. 
According to Mr. Kirk, it was originally discovered by Mr. W. S. Hayward on 
the mountains behind Collingwood, but it was first made known to botanical science 
through specimens gathered in the same district by Mr. H. H. Travers, and 
communicated by him to Mr. Buchanan, who described and figured it in the 
“ Transactions of the New Zealand Institute’ for 1882. It has since been found 
in several localities in north-west Nelson by Mr. Dall, by Mr. Kingsley in the Buller 
Valley, and by Mr. Townson on Mount Rochfort, Mount Frederic, and on the spurs 
of the Paparoa Range. Iam indebted to the last-named gentleman for the specimens 
from which this plate has been prepared. 
The distribution of Metrosideros in New Zealand is mainly northern, although 
one species (M. lucida) advances as far south as the Auckland Islands, where it 
constitutes the principal tree. In the South Island the species are mainly found 
on the western side of the Island. This is well seen in the neighbourhood of Westport, 
where no less than six species occur on the seaward side of the Mount Rochfort 
Range, their names being M. florida, M. lucida, M. hypericifolia, M. robusta, 
M. scandens, and the subject of this plate. 
Prats 49. Metrosideros Parkinsonii, drawn from specimens collected by Mr. W. Townson on 
Mount Rochfort, near Westport. Fig. 1, flower-bud, not yet fully expanded ; 2, calyx and style ; 
3, longitudinal section of calyx-tube and ovary; 4, petal; 5 and 6, front and back view of stamens: 
7, transverse section of ovary; 8, ripe fruit ; 9, cartilaginous endocarp ; 10, seed. (All enlarged.) 
