26 FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. [ Caryophyllee. 
A very small, smooth, inconspicuous plant, 1-2 inches high, tufted, suberect or creeping. Leaves 2-3 lines 
long, rather succulent, linear-oblong. Flowers sessile or shortly pedunculate, in the axils of the leaves, large for the 
size of the plant. Sepals pale green, with white borders. Petals 0 in any of my specimens, but may probably be 
found in others. Capsule globose, with few (usually four) large pale yellow-brown seeds, covered with large 
tubercles, which microscopic character is perhaps the best. —I have this species from Tasmania, where it approaches 
very closely the S. multiflora of that island; but it is a much smaller plant, more flaccid, and the peduncles are 
shorter. 
3. Stellaria decipiens, Hook. fil.; glabra, laxe ceespitosa, caule decumbente ramoso, foliis petiolatis 
ovatis obovatisve acuminatis in petiolum latum subciliatum angustatis, pedunculis sepalis sequilongis 
axillaribus 1-3-floris medio bracteolatis folium superantibus v. abbreviatis, sepalis ovatis subacutis glaber- 
rimis, petalis 0 v. bipartitis, staminibus sub-8, stylis 8. 77. Antarct. v. 1. p. Y. Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 680. 
Has. Northern Island, Colenso. 
The original S. decipiens was found in Lord Auckland's Group and Campbell Island, and I have introduced it 
here from finding a New Zealand specimen out of flower in Mr. Colenso's collection without a ticket. From the 
two former plants, it may be known by its greater size, ovate or obovate pointed leaves, and larger flowers; and 
from 8. media, by wanting the hairs on the stem and calyx. I have never seen the seeds. 
4. Stellaria sp. 2 caulibus flexuosis nodosis rigidis suberectis scaberulis, foliis parvis ad nodos fascicu- 
latis lineari-subulatis glaberrimis curvis dorso profunde canaliculatis, pedunculis rigidis fructiferis elongatis, 
floribus majusculis. 
Has. Middle Island; Nelson, Bidwill. 
I have but very imperfect specimens of this plant, which is quite unlike any described species. Stems rigid, 
2—3 inches long, round, wiry, scabrid, many-jointed. Leaves in tufts at the joints, + inch long, subulate, rather 
blunt, smooth and shining; their margins so reflexed as to leave a deep furrow at the back. Peduncles of the old 
fruit 1-13 inch long. Sepals 2 lines long. Capsule six-valved, longer than the sepals. 
Gen. II. ARENARIA, Linn. 
Sepala 5. Petala 5, integra. Stamina 5-10. Styl 3. Capsula 1-locularis, 3—6-valvis, polysperma. 
The only New Zealand species is found throughout the North Temperate and Arctic latitudes, as also in 
Australia, Tasmania, South Chili, and the Cape of Good Hope. The genus to which it belongs is a very extensive 
one in the Northern hemisphere, being present in every flora of Europe, Northern Asia, and North America; 
and has many species common to all these countries, especially mountain ones. It becomes comparatively rare in the 
Himalaya, and though extremely abundant in the Cordillera of North America, is hardly found in South America. 
A few species are littoral, and such are the most widely diffused. 4. media is one of these, and the only plant of 
the genus inhabiting the South Temperate zone. (Name from arena, sand; many species affecting sandy places.) 
1. Arenaria media, L., A. Rich. et A. Cunn. Prodr. Fi. Antarct. v.2. p. 250. A. marina, Eng. Bot. 
t. 958. A. pentandra, Banks et Sol. Ic. et MSS. 
Has. Northern and Middle Islands; east coast, Banks and Solander. Astrolabe Harbour, 
D Urville. Massacre Bay? Lyall. Nat. name, “ Noté-noho," D Urville. 
Plant rather pubescent. Stems many, 2-3 inches long, suberect, from a stout root. Leaves numerous, linear, 
+ inch long. Stipules large, membranous. Flowers numerous, axillary and terminal, pedunculate. Sepals oblong, 
blunt, green, with a broad white margin. Petals smaller than the sepals, white or pale pink. Seeds flattened, with 
a broad white wing. 
