Bidwilliane, N. O, Onagrariez. 
TAB, . DCCCXITI. 
Epitoptum MELANOcAULON, Hook. 
Basi fruticosum fasciculatim ramosum, ramis elongatis erectis tetra- 
quetris nigris angulis precipue cano-puberulis, foliis oppositis 
approximatis numerosis subimbricatis superioribus alternis 
lanceolatis acutis sessilibus glaberrimis subramosis grosse den- 
tatis costatis enervosis costis subtus nigricantibus, floribus ex 
axillis supremis, ovariis (capsulisque) linearibus triquetris glabris 
subsessilibus, petalis bifidis, stigmate globoso-clavato integro. 
Has. New Zealand; growing in dense tufts: sands in the bed 
of the Wairau, southern island, Mr. Bidwill. About Lake 
Taupo, south of the northern island, Rev. W. Colenso. 
A well-marked species of a most troublesome genus. Mr. 
Colenso calls it a red-leaved species ; when dry the leaves are 
reddish-brown, with a black costa on the underside: they appear, 
also, to be succulent when fresh, and they are very strongly 
toothed. The stem and branches are wiry, invariably black, 
slightly hoary, especially at the angles. Mowers small. Pedun- 
cles much shorter than the leaves, indeed scarcely any. Petals 
rose-colour. 
Fig. 1. Flower. f.2. Petal. f. 3. Stigma :—magnijied. 
