15 



is finally more than 20 ft. high, and even when not in flower 

 its general habit and foliage, bluish-green in the mass, render 

 it remarkably attractive. The rarer S. stewartiae is closely 

 related. 



S. rotundifolius (the mutton-bird scrub) is equally remark- 

 able through its thick shining leathery orbicular leaves, 3-5 in. 

 in diameter, covered beneath with a close mat of pale buff- 

 coloured hairs. It is a splendid hedge-plant for exposed sea- 

 shore positions, where the climate is moist. 



S. elaeagnifolius , a near relative, is particularly hardy. 



All the above require a fairly moist soil , they grow readily 

 from cuttings. 



(31.) Suttonia chathamica (Matipo). 



A hardy shrub or small tree, some 20 ft. high, with dark 

 bark arid glandular dotted obovate leaves 1-2 in. long. The 

 small mauve-coloured fruits, Jin. long, are distinctly pleasing. 

 It will thrive near the sea. 



(32.) Veronica gigantea. 



A tree 40 ft. high under favourable conditions, with a 

 stout trunk. It much resembles the shrubby V. solid folia 

 in its willow-like foliage and also its flowers, but in its 

 young form is quite distinct owing to- the purple hairy stem 

 and leaves with abundant hairs on their margins. It is not 

 very hardy. Can be readily grown from cuttings or seed. 



3. SMALL MORE OR LESS DECIDUOUS TREES. 



(1.) Aristotelia racemosa (Makomako, Wineberry). 



A hardy shrub or tree of rapid growth, 10-30 ft. high, 

 with bright-green thin toothed ovate leaves 2-5 in. long, and 

 rather pleasing sweet-scented rose-coloured flowers, in panicles 

 which are succeeded by red or black berries. 



(2.) Fuchsia excorticata (Kotukutuku, New Zealand Fuchsia). 



A shrub, or eventually a tree, 40 ft. high, with a thick 

 irregular trunk, from which hang long ribbons of brown 



