PEA, CLOVER, WATTLE, ETC. 203 



Kermadecs to the Macquaries, and also has been collected in 

 Australia and Tristan d'Acunha, while A. adscendens occurs 

 from Marlborough to the Macquaries, and also in Chili, 

 Fuegia, and the Falkland Islands. 



Leguminosae. 



Family of the Pea, Clover, Wattle, etc. 



Distribution. — One of the largest of the families, comprising between 6,000 

 and 7,000 species. Only 26 of these are native to New Zealand, and all of these 

 belong to the sub-order Papilionaceae, though many others have now been 

 introduced, such as the Broom, Gorse, Clover, etc. The New Zealand species 

 may all be readily recognized by their papilionaceous (butterfly-like) flowers, and 

 long seed-pods. From this family are obtained many vegetables, {e.g. Peas, Beans^ 

 Lentils, etc.), while the Vetches and Clovers are useful for fodder. Wistaria, 

 Laburnum and Sweet-Pea are cultivated for the beauty of their flowers. Other- 

 plants furnish valuable resins and dyes (e.g. Copal-resin, Giun-arabic, Gum 

 Tragacanth, Balsam of Tolu, hidigo, etc.). 



Sub-Family Papilionaceae. 

 This is an immense sub-family, abundant in most parts of 

 the world, but poorly represented in New Zealand. Plants 

 belonging to it are best recognized by the shape of their 

 corollas. The flower of the pea may be taken as a typical 

 example. There are five petals, of which the two front ones, 

 are united to form the " keel." The two side petals are called 

 the " wings," and the back petal, which is generally large and 

 erect, is called the " standard." Inside the keel will be found 

 the ten stamens. One of these is usually free from the. 

 other nine, which are united. Together they encircle the 

 pistil, which consists of a one-celled ovary, with a single style 

 and stigma, and develops into the well-known pod (legume) of 

 the pea. The New Zealand genera are all more or less 

 aberrant. In Sophora the two petals forming the keel are 

 scarcely united, the stamens are all free and the pod is 



