Pi>ATK U:J.— MVOSOTIS KXPLAXATA. 



Family BORAGINACE^.] [Genus MYOSOTIS. Linn. 



Myosotis explanata, Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 4GI. 



It is one of the peculiarities of the genus Myosotis that species which differ 

 essentially in their floral characters may have foliage so very similar in size, shape 

 and in the character of their indumentum as to make it a matter of extreme" 

 difficulty to distinguish them when flowers are not available. The plant illustrated 

 in this plate is a case in point, for it and four other species— .¥. capitata, M. alhidu 

 M. concmna, and M. maerantha— which have entirelv distinct flowers, have leaves 

 so very similar as to make it quite easy to confound "them in a flowerless condition 

 In like manner, M. Forsteri and M. petiolata closely resemble one another in folja^e' 

 but have very diverse flowers ; and M. Traversii and M. angustatn are in very mudi 

 the same position. It is this peculiarity which has led to several reallv distinct 

 species being confused together until quite recent years. 



ilf. explanata was originally discovered bv myself on the mountains overlooking 

 Arthur s Pass, Canterbury, in January, 1880. Since then I have twice observed it 

 in the same locality, and it has also been gathered on the adjacent Walker's Pass 

 by Dr. Cockayne, these being all the localities I am acquainted with. Its altitudinal 

 range, as noted by myself, is from 3,000 ft. to 4,500 ft. It is usually found in 

 sheltered nooks and corners at the base of masses of rock or of rock pillars. 



M. explanata is most nearly allied to M. capitata, from which, however, it can 

 be distinguished by the more membranous and less hairy leaves, by the larg'e pure- 

 white flowers, which are almost double the size of the blue flowers of M. capitata, 

 and in the larger calyx. The position of the stamens with regard to the scales on the 

 throat of the corolla is very much the same in both species. M. alhida can be 

 recognized by its larger size and coarser habit, and in the anthers being above the 

 level of the corolla-scales, whereas they are below in M. explanata and M. capitata. 



Plate 143. Myosotis explamtu, drawn from specimens collected on Arthur's Pass, Cauterburv 

 Alps at an altitude of 3,500 ft. Fig. 1, flower (x 2) ; 2. section of calyx, showing ovary and style 

 (X p ; 6, corolla laid open (x 3) ; 4 and 5, front and back view of anthers (x 6) ;' 6 and 7. nutlet 



