386 DICOTYLEDONS AND CONIFERS 



Malva verticillata, Linn. 



First recorded in 1882 by Cheeseman, as in immense abundance 

 near Auckland; also at Thames and on the Coromandel Peninsula. 

 It is now found abundantly in many parts, particularly in waste 

 ground. (Fl., Nov. to Jan.) 



Malva crispa, Linn. 



Reported by Kirk as a garden escape at Port Waikato. (Fl., Nov. 

 to Dec. 1 ) 



Modiola multifida, Moench. 



First recorded in 1860 by Kirk from the Auckland district as 

 Malva caroliniana. In 1882 Cheeseman writes that it "must have 

 been an early introduction, as it was nearly as abundant and as widely 

 distributed in 1863 as it is now." In the Manual (1906) he reports it 

 as abundant in pastures and on roadsides in both islands. 



Sub-division DISCIFLOIUE 



LINE^E 



Linum marginale, A. Cunn 



Dieffenbach, in 1839, says: "The vegetation" (of Motu Narara) 

 "is scanty and confined to a species of Linum with blue flowers." This 

 was almost certainly L. marginale. I have met with it about Dunedin 

 sparingly during the past forty years. Cheeseman in the Manual 

 (1906) says it is generally distributed in both islands, but most 

 plentifully in the north. It is very abundant to the north of Auckland, 

 Whangarei, etc. (FL, Nov. to Jan.) 



The seeds of most, if not all, species of Linum become mucilaginous 

 when wet. This may be to enable them to adhere to the soil, but it 

 is probable also that they adhere to the feathers of birds, just as those 

 of Plantago do. 



Linum usitatissimum, Linn. Common Flax 



In 1814 Marsden gave "Shunghee" (? Hongi) some English flax 

 seed. This was at the Bay of Islands. There is no record, however, 

 as to whether it was grown and utilised by the natives or by the 

 missionaries. It was next recorded in 1869 by Kirk from Auckland 

 Province. In 1877 ne reports it as plentiful near an old ford of the 

 Ruamahunga (Wellington), and in the Wairarapa. Cheeseman in 

 1906 records it as only occasionally seen as an escape from culti- 

 vation. It has not apparently established itself anywhere. (Fl., Dec. 

 to Jan.) 



1 In 1879 Armstrong reported Malva campestris, Linn, from Canterbury. 



