344 . PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Calystegia Tugu riorum {The Smaller Bindweed). 

 Corolla 1 in. -2 iu. across. A very similar plant to the proceeding, but smaller 

 in all its parts, and generally not climbing, but sprawling over bushes at the 

 edge of the forest and elsewhere. Both islands. Fl. Dec. -Jan. 



C. Tugiiriorum is one of the brightest of way-side flowers. 

 It ma}' often be found clambering over clumps of 

 Miililenheckia or Biihus, by the roadside. Its large snow- 

 white blossoms form one of the chief floral ornaments of the 

 later summer. 



Calystegia soldanella {The Soldcmella-like Calystegia). 



Stems prostrate, often buried beneath the sand ; leaves fleshy, rounded or 

 kidney shaped ; flowers solitary, almost as large as in the previous species, pale 

 rose-coloured, or red, striped vertically with yellow, or yellowish white. Both 

 islands : abundant on sandy beaches. Native name Nihi-nihi. European name 

 Sea-bindweed. Fl. Dec. -Feb. 



Genus Dicliondi'a. 



A genus found in Australia, Tasmania, South America, and New Zealand. 

 Calyx 5-parted ; corolla 5-lobed. Fruit a capsule. 2 sp. 



Dichondra repens {The Creeping Dichondra). 



A small, prostrate herb, with silky leaves, and small yellow flowers. Calyx 

 longer than the corolla. 



Gemis Cu scuta. 



Parasitic plants, adhering by suckers to their hosts. Leaves 0. Flow-ers in 

 small clusters or racemes, white, pink or yellow. Stems thread-like, often red in 

 colour. Calyx petaloid, 4-5-parted ; corolla 4-5-lobed ; stamens 4-5. Cuscuta 

 europaea is a most beautiful little plant, with bright red stems, and waxy-white 

 clusters of flowers. 



This is a genus of twining leafless parasites, found in all 

 parts of the world. Only one New Zealand form is known, 

 and it is rare. The clover-dodder (C. trifolii) has, however, 

 been introduced from Europe, and is proving a pest in some 

 localities. The seeds in this genus develop on damp ground. 

 No cotyledons are formed, but the young plant is a spirally 

 twisted thread. It germinates late in the year, when there is 

 already plenty of vegetation about it. As it grows, the upper 

 end of the plant keeps on revolving from right to left, while the 



