484 MONOCOTYLEDONS AND FERNS 



COMMELYNE^) 

 Tradescantia fluminensis, Veil. 



Reported by Carse in 1915 from Mongonui County as growing 

 on creek-banks and in lowland woods, spreading rapidly. In 1919 

 Mr Cheeseman states that it is a garden escape in many localities 

 in the vicinity of Auckland, where it has received the local name of 

 "wandering jew." It has become specially abundant on portions of 

 the Mount Eden lava-fields. Mr Aston states that it is spreading 

 fast in the vicinity of Wellington. 



PONTEDERIACE^E 



Eichhornia crassipes, Solms. The Water-hyacinth 

 Introduced as an ornamental water-plant. Has become naturalised 

 at Te Aroha in the Thames Valley; first recorded by Cheeseman in 

 1898. It is commonly cultivated in ponds and tanks, and tends to 

 spread where not subjected to frost. In 1912 he reports it again on 

 the authority of F. Neve, as established in a lagoon at Te Aroha, and 

 issues a warning against its being allowed to spread. This is a most 

 dangerous pest in many Australian rivers, causing floods by its com- 

 pletely blocking their channels. Fortunately most New Zealand 

 streams are too cold for it. 



JUNCE^) 



Juncus glaucus, Sibth. 

 Recorded by Kirk as occurring between Hokitika and Ross. 



Juncus Gerhardi, Loisel 



Reported from near Dunedin by Petrie, near Anderson's Bay, 

 Otago Harbour. It has not been met with for over twenty years. 



Juncus obtusiflorus, Ehr. 



Found at the southern end of Lake Waihola in Otago, by Petrie. 

 Not collected since its first discovery. 



ARACE^ 

 Richardia africana, Kunth (Calla cethiopica) 



White Arum ; Arum-lily 



Probably introduced at an early date last century. First recorded 

 as a garden escape in 1869 in the Auckland district by Kirk, and in 

 1877 fr m tne Hutt, Wellington, "probably planted." Stated by 

 Cheeseman in 1882 to be plentiful about Auckland and many country 

 townships, in ditches and waste places. The author noticed it in 



