158 FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. [ Lobeliacee. 
Oss. Lobelia rotundifolia, Banks et Sol. MSS. et Ic., has lobules to the base of the leaves, which I do not find 
in my specimens, and I therefore refrain from quoting it as a synonym. 
Gen. III. LOBELIA, Z. 
Calycis tubus obovatus v. obconicus; lobis 5, subeegualibus. Corolle 5-loba, dorso fissa, bilabiata v. 
lobis subeequilongis unilabiata. Anthere connate, imberbes v. superiores barbatee. Stigma indivisum v. 
2-lobum. Capsula 2—3-locularis, apice 2—3-valvis. 
The two New Zealand species are herbaceous plants, with axillary pedunculate or subsessile flowers, differing 
from Pratia chiefly, if not wholly, in the fruit being capsular, opening by valves (not fleshy and scattering the seeds 
by decay of the pericarp).—This is a very large genus, which is found in all temperate and tropical parts of the globe, 
many species inhabiting New Holland and Tasmania. (Named in honour of Matthias de L’ Obel, a Flemish botanist 
and author.) 
1. Lobelia anceps, Th.; glaberrima, caule compresso trigono angulis alatis erecto v. basi decumbente, 
foliis decurrentibus linearibus lanceolatis spathulatis cuneatisve integerrimis v. dentatis, pedunculis axillari- 
bus folio brevioribus, capsulis cylindraceis. DC. Prodr. L. alata, Lab. Fl. Nov. Holl. v. 1. p. 51. 4. 72. 
Br. Prodr. A. Rich. Flora. A. Cunn. Prodr. L. cuneata, Lab. FI. Nov. Holl. v. 1. p. 51. €. 73. 
Has. Northern and Middle Islands; abundant as far south as Banks’ Peninsula, Banks and So- 
lander, ete. 
An erect or decumbent, simple or branched, smooth herb, with weak, flattened, three-angled, winged stems 
and branches, a foot or so high. Leaves 1-8 inches long, narrowed into rather broad decurrent petioles, very 
variable in shape, linear-lanceolate, spathulate or much elongated and ligulate, sharp, entire or waved and toothed. 
Peduncles solitary, axillary, short, 2-4 lines long, much shorter than the leaves they rise amongst, but rarely the 
branches become racemose at the end, the upper leaves being reduced to bracts below the peduncles. Flowers in- 
conspicuous. Ovarium narrow, very long when ripening. Corolla short, pale blue. Capsule variable in size, y inch 
long.—This species abounds in temperate Australia and Tasmania, Juan Fernandez, Chili, and the Cape of Good 
Hope. Mr. Colenso assures me that Lobelia angulata is the same as his Z. littoralis, but in Herb. Hook. this 
species (Z. alata) is named L. angulata by Cunningham himself. 
2. Lobelia perpusilla, Hook. fil.; pusilla, ceespitosa, repens, caule crassiusculo radicante divaricatim 
ramoso, foliis patulis sessilibus ovato-oblongis acutis grosse dentatis pilosis, pedunculis brevissimis, floribus 
pro planta magnis, calyce piloso lobis recurvis, coroll laciniis acuminatis, staminibus epipetalis, antheris 
glaberrimis, fructus? An Pratia species? 
Has. Northern Island. Hawke's Bay, in muddy places, Colenso. 
A very minute species, resembling a Pratia in habit, and the fruit being unknown it may belong to that genus. 
Stems stout, creeping, branched, 2—3 inches long. Leaves 2 lines long, sessile, oblong, sharp, deeply toothed, smooth 
or pilose. Flowers sessile, pale, much longer than the leaves. Ovary hairy. Calyx lobes recurved. Corolla lobes 
acuminate. Stamens inserted on the corolla. Anthers perfectly smooth; filaments joined together into a tube 
below the anthers.—This species resembles the Z. irrigua of Tasmania. 
Oss. Lobelia submersa, A. Cunn. Prodr., is Glossostigma elatinoides, Benth. (see Nat. Ord. Scrophulariacee), 
according to a specimen in Herb. Cunningham in Mr. Heward’s possession, which differs in no way from the de- 
scription in the * Prodromus Flore Nove Zelandiee,” except that I find no hairs on any part. 
