PuaTE 94.-CELMISIA HAASTII. 
Famiry COMPOSIT/.] [Genus CELMISIA, Cass. 
Celmisia Haastii, Hook. /. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 131: Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 305. 
Celmisia Haastii was first collected by Sir Julius von Haast in the autumn of 
1862, during his adventurous exploration of the sources of the Waitaki River. 
A detailed account of this journey appears in his ‘Geology of Canterbury and 
Westland ” (pp. 18-43), from which it will be seen that the district examined 
extended from the Godley River and its tributaries, flowing into Lake Tekapo; 
to the Tasman, discharging into Lake Pukaki; and the Hopkins, which enters 
the head of Lake Ohau. C. Haastii was gathered on ‘Mount Darwin,” by 
which is probably meant one of the mountains between Mount Darwin and the 
Classen Glacier, at the head of the Godley River, for Haast certainly did not 
reach Mount Darwin itself. It was seen again during the same journey at the 
Hopkins River, and a year or two later was collected in the Lake district of 
Otago by Sir James Hector and Mr. Buchanan. Subsequent investigation has 
proved that it is not uncommon in the central and western portions of the 
Southern Alps, from the Spenser Mountains to the south of Otago. It is 
seldom seen below an altitude of 3,500 {t., and ascends to quite 6,000 ft. 
In the Mount Cook district, where I have had several opportunities of 
observing this handsome species, it usually appears on the open mountain- 
sides above the level of the subalpine scrub, or at an elevation of about 
4,500 ft. It is generally found in sheltered corners on steep banks, or on 
the abrupt sides of terrace-like projections. Associated with it at its lower 
level are such plants as Ranunculus Lyall, Senecio Lyallii, Celmisia discolor 
and O. Lyallii, Aciphylla Monroi, Gaultheria rupestris (depauperated states), 
Dracophyllum uniflorum and D. Kirkii, and the grasses Poa Colensoi and 
Danthonia semiannularis var. setifolia. At higher elevations many of these 
species disappear, others taking their place, such as Ourisia sessilifolia, Celmisia 
Hectori, Phyllachne Colensoi, Hectorella cespitosa, and others. The highest 
altitude at which I have myself noticed the species is a little over 6,000 ft. 
C. Haastii is readily distinguished by its peculiar greenish-grey foliage, stout 
usually tomentose scapes with numerous linear bracts, large flower-heads, 
membranous involucral scales, and glabrous achenes. Its nearest ally is 
probably C. incana; but that species differs altogether in habit and in the 
abundant soft white tomentum with which the leaves are clothed, and the 
aspect of the two plants is consequently very distinct. 
Prats 94. Celmisia Haastii, drawn from specimens collected in the Mount Cook district, at an 
elevation of 5,000 ft. Fig. 1, a single bract of the involucre (x 3); 2, ray-floret (x 3); 3, pappus 
hair (x 6); 4, dise-floret (x 3); 5, the same (x 6); 6, anthers (x 8); 7, style-arms (x 10). 
