340 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Apocynaceae. 



The Periwinkle Family. 



Distribution. — A large family of about a thousand species, chiefly tropical, 

 of which the Periwinkle (Vinca) is the only British genus. Many of the plants 

 possess more or less poisonous properties, though some have edible fruit. The 

 Oleander, every part of which is poisonous, is cultivated for the beauty of its 

 flowers. 



Genus Parsonsia. 



A small genus (about 10 species) of climbing plants. Leaves remarkably 

 variable. Flowers in panicles. Fruit of two, long, narrow, pod-like capsules. 

 Seeds silky-haired. (Named in honour of Parsons, a botanist). 2 sp. 



Parsonsia heterophylla (The Varied-leaved Parsonsia). 

 Stems as thick as a quill, shining. Leaves leathery, 1 in. -2 in. broad, oblong, 

 or lanceolate, 3 in. -4 in. long, with lobed margins. Flowers white, scented, 5 in. 

 long. Anthei's within the corolla. Both islands. Fl. Nov. -Dec. 



Parsonsia capsularis {Tlie Caimdate Parsonsia). 

 Stems slender. Leaves u.sually 2 in. -3 in. long, narrow. Panicles few- 

 flowered. Corolla T^in. Jong, white, red, or rarely yellow. Anthers protrviding 

 beyond the corolla. Both islands. Fl. Nov. -Dec. 



There can be but little doubt that the New Zealand species 

 are insufficiently defined. It is probable that there are still 

 one or more undescribed sj^ecies in the country. The young 

 plants, wath their long, narrow, leathery, red-brown leaves, 

 will not be recognized, unless their development has been 

 watched. The beautiful fragrant panicles of white or red 

 jessamine-like flowers are much sought after, by visitors to 

 the bush. 



