GERANIACE^: 389 



in 1892. The latter lot was introduced from Buenos Ayres. It does 

 not seem to have established itself. In the Manual (1906) Cheeseman 

 states that it occurs in sandy places near the sea at Mongonui and the 

 Bay of Islands. (Fl., Oct. to April.) 



Pelargonium zonale, L'Herit. Scarlet Geranium 



Cheeseman records this in the Manual of the New Zealand Flora 

 (1906) as occurring in the North Island, "often persisting for some 

 years in deserted gardens." But I think it must be classed as a true 

 garden escape, which has taken possession of considerable areas of 

 waste ground in the neighbourhood of gardens, and which is therefore 

 particularly common in the suburban districts of many northern 

 towns. (FL, Oct. to April.) 



Pelargonium quercifolium, L'Herit. 



First recorded by Kirk from Auckland district in 1869, and again 

 from Wellington in 1877. It is, like the preceding species, a garden 

 escape in the North Island, but not nearly so common. 



Tropceolum majus, Linn. Indian Cress ; Garden Nasturtium 



Polack (1831-37) speaks of it as cultivated in European gardens 

 in the north of the North Island. First recorded as a wild plant by 

 Cheeseman in 1882 and as common near Auckland. It has become a 

 most abundant weed in many suburban areas, especially in the North 

 Island; and in Auckland, Wellington and other towns frequently fills 

 waste sections of land with its attractive foliage and bright blossoms. 

 I have measured gigantic wild specimens at New Plymouth in which 

 the leaves were as much as eight inches across. (Fl., Jan. to April.) 



It is visited in Europe by Apis mellifica, Bombus hortorum, and 

 earwigs (Forficula auricularia), the latter after nectar. 



Oxalis cernua, Thunb. 



First recorded in 1882 from Auckland by Cheeseman as a trouble- 

 some weed in gardens. In the Manual (1906) it is stated to be "an 

 occasional weed in gardens and orchards in the North Island." 

 Cheeseman says (1917) that it "is still far too plentiful." 



Oxalis compressa, Thunb. 



This species was recorded by Cheeseman in 1882, as "a common 

 garden escape, especially near Auckland." But in later years it was 

 not observed, and so was expunged from the list published in the 

 Manual in 1906. 



