PuatTE 77.—GRISELINIA LUCIDA. 
Famity CORNACE. | [Genus GRISELINIA, Forsvt. 
Griselinia lucida, Forst. Prody. n. 401; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 238 
The first specimens of this handsome tree were obtained in 1769 by Banks 
and Solander at Tolaga Bay during Cook’s first voyage. Later on they also 
gathered it at “‘Opuragi”’ (Mercury Bay) and “* Totaranui”’ (Queen Charlotte 
Sound). Dr. Solander, in his manuscript “ Primitie Flore Nove Zelandiz,”’ 
recognized that it constituted a new genus, and proposed the name of Lissophyllum 
lucidum ; but as his names were never actually published they have no standing 
in systematic botany. The two Forsters, who also collected the plant in Queen 
Charlotte Sound during Cook’s second voyage, published it under the name of 
Scopolia lucida ; but, as this proved to be invalidated by the earlier Scopolia of 
Jacquin, a genus of Solanacea, George Forster substituted Griselinia for it, a 
name which has received general acceptance. 
Griselinna lucida has a wide range, being found in lowland forests from the 
North Cape to the Bluff, but is much more plentiful in the North Island than 
in the South, where its place is largely taken by the alhed G. littoralis. It is 
usually epiphytic or rupestral, and is often found growing amongst the immense 
masses of Astelia and other epiphytes which clothe the spreading branches of 
the rata (Metrosideros robusta). In such situations it does not attain any great 
height, but its leaves are often unusually large, sometimes exceeding 8 in. in 
length. It reaches its greatest stature when growing among or on rocks, or on 
well-drained rocky soil, “where specimens can be found 25 ft. in height or even 
more, with a trunk 18 in. to 24 in. in diameter. The finest rupestral specimens I 
have observed were growing among huge masses of crystalline limestone at 
Whangarei. It is a common plant on the basaltic lava-streams of the Auckland 
Isthmus, and is particularly frequent on Rangitoto Island, where flowering 
specimens can be seen of all sizes, from 3 ft. upwards. I cannot agree, however, 
with Mr. Kirk in considering that it shows any unusual luxuriance of foliage in 
that locality, or that the flowers are “of deeper and brighter tints than are 
produced under ordinary conditions” (see Trans. N.Z. Inst. xi (1879), 450). 
Griselinia lucida is one of the New Zealand trees which ought to be commonly 
cultivated in gardens and shrubberies. It is easy of cultivation, and will grow 
in any ordinary soil; it stands exposure to the strongest winds, and is of rapid 
growth, while its pale yellow- -green smooth and glossy folage is most attractive. 
These remarks also apply to the allied G. littoralis, which reaches a greater size, 
but has smaller foliage and a more compact habit. 
Puate 77. Griselima lucida, male, female, and fruit, drawn from specimens gathered on the 
lava-streams at Mount Wellington, near Auckland. Fig. 1, flower-bud of male flower (x 6); 2, fully 
expanded male flower (x 6); 3 and 4, front and back view of anthers (x 8); 5, female flowers (x 6) ; 
6, section of same, showing the pendulous ovule (x6): 7, transverse section of ovary (x 6) ; 
8, longitudinal section of fruit (x 4); 9, embryo (x 8). 
