JANUARY. 45 



Handbook of the New Zealand Flora" it is said that "Mr 

 Haast informs me that this forms a deciduous tree at and 

 above 3000 feet, but is evergreen below that level ; in 

 autumn its naked branches and yellow foliage give a 



Plagianthtu ( Gaya) Lyallii. 



peculiar colour to the landscape at a higher elevation." 

 Haast was speaking probably of North Canterbury, for in 

 local gardens it seems to be quite deciduous even at low 

 levels. The northern tree, as cultivated in Christchurch 

 gardens, differs in several small details from the Otago 

 form. 



