PuatE 78.—ALSEUOSMIA MACROPHYLLA. 
Famity CAPRIFOLIACE4. | [Genus ALSEUOSMIA, A. Cunn. 
Alseuosmia macrophylla, 4. Cunn. Precur. nu. 494; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 240. 
Alseuwosmia macrophylla, one of the most beautiful shrubby plants in the New 
Zealand flora, was originally discovered by Allan Cunningham in forests at 
Hokianga in the early part of October, 1826. The plant was in full bloom at 
the time, and the delicious fragrance of its flowers must have made no small 
impression on Cunningham, for when he came to describe the genus he gave 
it the name of Alsewosmia, trom adcos, a grove, and evoopia, a sweet smell. 
His biographer, Mr. Heward, says, “its elegant flowers adorned the woods, 
and its delicious odours filled the surrounding atmosphere with fragrance.” 
That this statement is not overdrawn, all will admit who have passed through 
any forest in the northern part of New Zealand at the time when Alseuosmia 
is in full flower. 
Since its original discovery Alseuosmia macrophylla has been observed by all 
botanists who have examined the vegetation of the northern part of New 
Zealand. In fact, to the north of a line drawn from the East Cape to Mount 
Egmont it is almost universally present in forests of any size, often forming 
a considerable proportion of the undergrowth. In kauri forests it is particularly 
abundant, usually associated with such species as Phebaliwm nudum, Coprosma 
lucida, Senecio Kirkii, Dracophyllum latifolium, Astelia trinervia, Gahnia xan- 
thocarpa, &c. It is most plentiful between 500 ft. and 1,500 ft. elevation, but 
frequently descends to sea-level, and I have seen it at elevations of over 
3,000 ft. South of the East Cape and Taranaki it is rare and local; but it 
nevertheless crosses Cook Strait, and has been found in a few scattered localities 
in Marlborough, north-west Nelson, and northern Westland. 
The flowers of Alsewosmia vary much in colour. In many localities they 
are almost a full crimson, with the inside of the throat slightly paler, and this 
is certainly the most handsome form. In other cases the flowers are much 
paler, being a pinkish-cream with lines of darker pink; and I have seen 
specimens in which they were a pure cream-colour without lines or other 
markings. The beauty of the flowers and their delicious fragrance certainly marks 
off the plant as one which should be cultivated in gardens; but, unfortunately, 
it has the reputation of being difficult to establish, and still more difficult to keep. 
Probably it would succeed best if kept in a bush-house, with the same treatment 
as that given to many ferns. 
The genus Alsewosmia is confined to New Zealand. It differs from all other 
members of the Caprifoliacee in the alternate leaves, and cannot be said to have 
any close ally, although possibly as near to Lonicera as to any other genus. Of 
the four species which are generally admitted, A. macrophylla is at once distinguished 
by its large leaves and flowers. The three others present a very varied series 
of forms, all of which are exceedingly difficult of discrimination. No doubt 
some botanists will prefer to call these “species”; and this was the view taken 
by Cunningham, who described no less than seven, to which Colenso has added 
two others. Similar views are certain to be asserted for many other genera of 
New Zealand plants, and their acceptance or rejection will involve very careful 
examination of the facts of each case. 
PLATE 78. Alsewosmia macrophylla, drawn from specimens collected on the Patetere Plateau, 
Upper Thames. Fig. 1, calyx and pistil (x 2); 2, longitudinal section of calyx and ovary (x 4) ; 
3, corolla laid open (x 2); 4 and 5, front and back view of anthers (x 4); 6, transverse section of 
ovary (x 4). 
