PLATE 117.—FORSTERA TENELLA. 
Famity STYLIDIACE 4. ] [Genus FORSTERA, Linn. F. 
Forstera tenella, Hook. /. Fl. Nov. Zel. i, 155; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 393. 
The genus Forstera was selected by the younger Linnaeus to commemorate 
the botanical labours of J. R. Forster and his son J. G. Forster, who both 
accompanied Cook during his second voyage, and who made large botanical 
collections in New Zealand, South America, and Polynesia. They also published 
in their works “Characteres Generum Plantarum Maris Australis” and 
“Prodromus Florule Insularum Australium” the first descriptions of New 
Zealand and Polynesian plants, and their names must therefore be inseparably 
connected with the history of the botany of those countries. 
Forstera tenella was first collected by Dr. Lyall in Milford Sound, and also in 
some locality in Otago, and was published by Sir J. D. Hooker in the “* Flora Novee 
Zelandiz ” in 1853. Sir Julius von Haast gathered it during his explorations in the 
Southern Alps, and it has since been observed in many localities in the central 
and western portions of the South Island, from Collingwood to Preservation Inlet. 
It has also been recorded from several localities in the North Island to the south 
of the Ruahine Mountains; but I have not myself seen specimens from thence. 
Its altitudinal range, as observed by myself, is from 1,500 ft. to 4,500 ft., but I 
suspect that it descends to lower elevations in the river-valleys of Westland and 
in the Sounds of the south-west coast of Otago. 
The three species of Forstera found in New Zealand are very closely allied. 
F. sedifolia is best separated by the densely imbricated recurved leaves, which on 
their under-surface have a conspicuous median nerve. F', Bidwillii and the subject 
of this plate are very near to one another, and are often confused. F. Bidwillit, 
however, is much more copiously branched and usually decumbent or almost 
creeping at the base. The leaves are more closely placed, broader, and more 
obovate ; and the median nerve, though indistinct, is usually present. F. tenella 
is sparingly branched or quite simple. and usually erect. The leaves are narrower, 
sometimes almost acute, and generally narrowed into a short petiole, while the 
median nerve is obsolete. 
Prats 117. Forstera tenella, drawn from specimens gathered in the Otira Valley, Westland, at 
an altitude of 2,000 ft. Fig. 1, pair of flowers (x 3); 2, portion of corolla, showing the pair of glands 
at the base of the lobes (x 5); 3, summit of column, showing the transverse anthers (x 8); 4, the 
same with the anthers bent downwards, so as to expose the two lobes of the immature stigma (x 8) ; 
5, flower with the calyx and corolla removed, showing the two staminodia, and the two lobes of the 
stigma in their mature condition (x 8); 6, transverse section of ovary (x 8). 
