390 DICOTYLEDONS AND CONIFERS 



Oxalis variabilis, Jacq. 



First recorded in 1882 from Auckland as a garden escape by 

 Cheeseman. Characterised in the Manual as "a garden escape, not 

 common" in the North Island. (FL, Aug. to Oct.) 



Oxalis hirta, Linn. 



Recorded by Kirk from Auckland in 1899; and by Cheeseman 

 in 1906 in the Manual as " a garden escape in the vicinity of Auckland, 



rare." (FL, Sept.) . 



Oxalu rosea, Jacquin 



Recorded by W. W. Smith in 1903 as occurring in Ashburton 

 County. 



LIMNANTHE^: 



Limnanthes Douglasii, R. Br.(own) 



Recorded by W. W. Smith in 1903 as occurring in South Canter- 

 bury as a garden escape. It does not spread. 



AURANTIACE^E 

 Citrus aurantium, Risso. The Orange 



An officer of the brig ' Hawes ' travelling near Tauranga in Decem- 

 ber, 1828, remarks : " I met with a few orange trees which have been 

 introduced with success." Probably he was referring to native planta- 

 tions, either under cultivation or abandoned. Oranges do not appear 

 to become naturalised in any part of New Zealand. 



AMPELIDE^E 



Vitis vinifera, Linn. Grape-vine 



Grapes were introduced by the missionaries early last century. 

 In 1838 Polack says that "they are largely cultivated to the north-ward 

 of the River Thames." Kirk reported in 1877, and Cheeseman in 

 1882, that they were to be found in deserted gardens and old Maori 

 cultivations, but apparently they were not spreading and the latter 

 author practically repeats this in the Manual (1906). 



SAPINDACEjE 

 Melianthus major, Linn. 



First recorded in 1877 as a garden escape near Wellington, but 

 able to maintain its position when not disturbed by man. Also by 

 Cheeseman from Auckland and Thames. Cheeseman states in the 

 Manual (1906) that it is not uncommon in the North Island as a 

 garden escape. (FL, Aug. to Oct.) 



