PLATE 53.—EPILOBIUM BREVIPES. 
Famity ONAGRACE. | [GENus EPILOBIUM, Liny. 
Epilobium brevipes, Hook. /. Fl. Nov. Zel. ii. 328 ; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 182. 
Epilobium brevipes was originally collected in the Kaikoura Mountains 
by Mr. Macdonald, a shepherd in the employ of Sir David Monro. Although 
far from being a common plant, I have seen specimens from a considerable number 
of localities in Marlborough and North Canterbury, and consequently can hardly 
agree with the statement made by Mr. T. Kirk in his “ Students’ Flora,” where 
he says that it is “of extreme rarity.” Mr. Kirk himself has recorded it from the 
Upper Awatere; the Rev. F. R, Spencer has gathered it on Taylor’s Pass; and 
Dr. Cockayne on Mount Fyfie. Mr. H. J. Matthews has sent me specimens from 
the Hanmer district; Dr. Cockayne found it not uncommon in the gorge of the 
Conway River; while Mr. J. D. Enys, Mr. T. Kirk, and myself have all collected 
it on Mount Torlesse. Quite recently Dr. Cockayne has recorded its presence in 
the gorge of the Broken River. It is usually, if not invariably, found on the faces 
of limestone cliffs or precipices, and must be considered a purely rupestral species. 
When once known EF. brevipes cannot be easily confounded with any other 
species. The hard and woody base, the perfectly glabrous densely leaty stems, 
the coriaceous smooth and shining elliptic leaves, and the glabrous capsules, which 
are borne on very short peduncles which hardly elongate in fruit, are well-marked 
characters, the significance of which cannot be overlooked. Probably its nearest 
ally is EB. crassum, which is a much smaller more creeping plant, with longer more 
obtuse leaves with the broadest part above the middle, larger flowers, and much 
longer peduncles. Coriaceous states of BE. glabellum have been mistaken for it, 
but the two species differ so completely in habit, foliage, inflorescence, and fruit 
that if ordinary care is taken they ought never to be confused. 
Prater 53. Epilobium brevipes, drawn from specimens collected by Dr. Cockayne in the gorge 
of the Conway River, and by myself on Mount Torlesse. Fig. 1, tip of leaf (enlarged) ; 2 and 3, flowers 
(x 4); 4 and 5, front and back view of anthers (x 6); 6, stigma (x 6); 7, ripe capsule (x 3): 8, seed 
(enlarged). 
