THE LAUREL FAMILY 177 



Cassytha paniculata {The Panicled Cassytha). 



Stems shining, t'l "^--t'tj i^i- iii diameter, with small membranous scales in 

 the axils. Flowers in spikes, 1 in. -2 in. long. Perianth ^ in.-^ in. long, with 

 small round bracts at the base. Ovary glabrous. Northern parts of the North 

 Island. 



This is a widely spread genus found chiefly in warm 

 dimates. The New Zealand species is so abundant in some 

 districts north of Auckland as to cause frequent tripping. The 

 same form is also to be found in Eastern Australia, where the 

 genus is highly developed. The long, twining, thread-like 

 stems of the parasite much resemble those of the dodder, 

 though the two plants are not closely allied botanically. 

 Further, the methods by which they attack the host plant, 

 and the way in which they germinate, are in both cases so 

 much alike, that one description will suffice for both genera. 

 {v. Cuscuta.) 



Cruciferae. 



Wallflower Family. 



Distribution. — A large and useful family, comprising many plants used as 

 vegetables {e.g., turnip, radish, cabbage, cauliflower, cress, etc.). There are 

 nearly 200 genera and 1200 species, and these are found chiefly in cold and tem- 

 perate regions. In the Tropics they are rarely seen. The juices of the plants 

 belonging to this order are entirely innocuous. Of the seven New Zealand genera, 

 Pachycladon and Nofothlaspi present most points of interest. Both are 

 endemic in these islands. The following genera of Cruciferae are also represented 

 in New Zealand, Nasturtium (the water-cress) ; Cardamine (the bitter-cress) ; 

 Sisymbrium (the hedge-mustard) ; Capsella (the shepherd's purse), and Lepidium 

 (the pepper-wort). 



Genus Pachycladon. 



An endemic genus, found only in the South Island. Leaves radical, tufted. 

 Root fleshy. Sepals, 5 ; stamens, 6. (Name from the Greek, signifying thick 

 branches). 1 sp. 



1.3 



