148 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



more fully developed clusters. The stigmas ripen later than 

 the anthers, and there is consequently little likelihood of self- 

 pollination. The opening of the flower, and its subsequent 

 pollination, would afford excellent subjects of observation for 

 a nature study class. The wood of this tree is much used for 

 ornamental cabinet-work. 



Genus Persoonia. 



Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, leathery, variable. Flowers axillary, in 

 short spikes or racemes. Perianth a club-shaped tube, opening by 4 segments. 

 Ovules 1 or 2. Drupe with a 1 or 2-celled nut. A large Australian genus. 

 (Name after Persoon, a botanist of Cape Colony). 1 sp. 



Persoonia toru. {The Torn or Toro). 

 A small tree. Leaves narrow, 3 in. - 8 in. long, leathery, entire, polished on 

 both surfaces. Flowers in axillary 6-10 flowered racemes, 1 in. long. Perianth 

 Jin. long. Ovary sessile, shining. North Island : Auckland only. Fl. Oct. -Nov. 



Santalaceae. 



The Sandal-wood Family. 



Distribution. — A widely distributed family. The species found in Europe 

 and North America are herbaceous, while those inhabiting India, Australia, and 

 New Zealand, are shrubby or arborescent. Santahim album, (The Sandal-wood), 

 an Indian species, is much prized for the fragrance of its wood. The family is 

 represented in New Zealand by two genera, each consisting of one species only. 



Genus Santalnm 



Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate or opposite. Flowers cymose, axillary, 

 green. Perianth bell-shaped, composed of 4 - 5 leaflets, hairy at the base. 

 Stamens, 4-5. Disk, 4-5-lobed. Ovules, 2-4. Drupe, round, or shaped like a 

 top, 1-seeded. An Asiatic, Australian, and Pacific Island genus. 



Santalum Cunninghamii. {Cunninghams Sandal-wood). 



A small tree, with variable leaves, opposite in young plants, alternate in 

 mature trees, 2in. - 4in. long, dotted, veined. Flowers, Jin. - Jin. long, 4-5 lobed. 

 Drupe, ^in. long. North Island : northwards from the east coast. 



