Pj.ate 221.— SIMPLICIA LAXA. 



Family GRAMINBiE.] [Genus SIMPLICIA, T. Kirk. 



Simplicia laxa, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst xxix (1897), 197 ; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. 861. 



The monotypic genus Simplicia possesses considerable interest to New Zealand 

 botanists, on account of being the only genus of grasses that is peculiar to New- 

 Zealand. It was one of the many discoveries of the late Mr. T. Kirk, and was first 

 collected by him at the Dry River Station, Ruamahanga, Lower Wairarapa, in 

 January, 1880. Shortly afterwards it was observed by Mr. Petrie at Waikouaiti 

 and Deep Stream, Otago. No further localities have been discovered ; but it must 

 be borne in miiid that the species is an inconspicuous one, which could liardly be 

 recognized except in the short flowering season, and which even then could be 

 easily overlooked. In all probability a special search would reveal several fresh 

 stations for it. 



Simflicia is a somewhat isolated genus. Mr. Kirk, in describing it, quoted an 

 opinion of Dr. Stapf's to the effect that it was pretty close to certain species of the 

 North American genus Muhlenbergia, principally differing in the presence of a 

 minutely produced rhachilla. Professor Hackel, who has done me the favour of 

 examining a series of specimens, is inclined to the belief that it is intermediate 

 between Sporobolus and Agrostis. It agrees with the first in the proportions of the 

 outer glumes, but differs in the presence of the rhachilla ; and, on the whole, is 

 nearest to the section Chcetotropis of Agrostis, which is often kept as a distinct genus. 



In the Manual I have described the number of stamens as one or two. I find, 

 however, that it not infrequently has the full number of three, as shown in fig. 7 

 of the accompanying plate. 



Plate 221. Simplicia laxa, drawn from specimens collected by Mr. Petrie at Waikouaiti, Otago. 

 Fig. 1, ligule of leaf ; 2, spikelet ; 3 and 4, empty glumes ; 5, flowering-glume and palea ; 6, lodicules ; 

 7, stamens, ovary, and styles. (All enlarged.) 



