PLATE 107.—CASSINIA AMCENA. 
Famity COMPOSIT.. | [Genus CASSINIA, R. Br. 
Cassinia amecena, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxix (1897), 391; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 346. 
The genus Cassinia has five or six well-ascertained species in New Zealand, 
most of which have wide ranges, although none of them stretches through the 
whole length of the Dominion. North of the East Cape the predominant 
species is C. retorta; which, though not confined to sand-dunes, is always to 
be found in great quantity upon them. To the south of the East Cape 
C. leptophylla is the most common species, occurring both on sand-dunes and 
on coastal hills, and extending as far south as Marlborough and Nelson. 
C. fulvida is both coastal and montane, and is found from the East Cape 
to Foveaux Strait, and was reported by Mr. Kirk from Stewart Island. 
C. Vauvilliersii, which ranges from Taupo to the Auckland Islands, is usually 
montane and subalpine, although it descends to sea-level in the south of the 
South Island. C. albida, which appears to be confined to Marlborough, is 
mainly montane and subalpine. 
C. amena, the subject of this plate, differs from all the above in its 
exceedingly limited distribution. It was discovered by myself in 1896 on the 
North Cape Peninsula; and, so far as is known, is confined to the edge of 
the clifis leading from Kerr Point, at the eastern end of Tom Bowline’s. Bay, 
to the North Cape proper; its habitat thus consisting of a strip about two 
miles in length and a quarter of a mile in breadth. The predominant vegetation 
noticed by me was stunted Leptospermum and Schenus tenax, but Leucopogon 
fasciculatus and Pomaderris Edgerleyx were not uncommon. In several places 
great masses of Veronica speciosa were observed; and other interesting plants 
were Haloragis cartilaginea, Geniostoma ligqustrifolium var. crassum, Pittosporum 
pimeleoides, Corokia cotoneaster, Melicope simplex, &c. Within the narrow limits 
mentioned above, the Cassinia was not uncommon, forming little round-topped 
bushes 1 ft. to 2{t. in height, with exactly the habit of an alpine Veronica 
or Pimelea. 
The nearest ally of C. amena is undoubtedly C. Vawvilliersii, some forms 
of which approach it in habit. It can easily be distinguished, however, 
by the smaller size, narrower heads, fewer florets (usually from 4 to 6), 
and particularly by the almost total absence of scales among the florets. 
C. retorta and C. leptophylla are at once separated by the different habit and 
much larger size, smaller leaves, broader heads with more numerous florets, 
and by the numerous receptacular scales. In the absence of the receptacular 
scales C. amana approaches the Ozothamnus section of Helichrysum, and might 
almost be referred to that genus, were not the habit and appearance of the 
plant nearer to Cassinia. 
Pirate 107. Cassinia amena, drawn from specimens collected at the North Cape. Fig. 1, portion 
of branch, with leaves (x 3); 2, tip of branch, with three flower-heads (x 3); 3, involucral bracts 
(x 3); 4, hermaphrodite floret (x 8); 5, pappus-hairs (x 12); 6, anthers (x 12); 7, style-branches 
(x 7). 
