168 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



most inappropriate, as the plant is not a lily, but a large white 

 buttercup. However, any large-leaved herbaceous native plant 

 is called by the colonists a lily, especially if it has white 

 flowers. (For another instance of the misuse of the name, v. 

 Chatham Island Lily, Myosotidium nobile, p. 347.) 



Ranunculus Lyallii is not unlike the English king-cup in 

 its habit of growth, having the same large, round, fleshy 

 leaves and juicy stems. But the flower of the king-cup is 

 golden, and that of the Mount Cook Lily is of a pure and 

 waxy white. This Ranunculus grows only in the alpine 

 districts of the South Island, and at an altitude of from 

 2,000 to 4,000 feet. It may, however, be readily seen on 

 Mackinnon's Pass, on Arthur's Pass, and near Mount Cook, 

 where it forms dense patches as high up as the Ball Hut on 

 the edge of the Tasman Glacier. It is one of the most 

 beautiful plants in the New Zealand alpine flora its white 

 anemone-like flowers contrasting well with its large, dark 

 glossy-green leaves which sometimes measure fifteen inches 

 across. This plant and R. Traversii are the only species with 

 peltate leaves. It is cultivated with difficulty, as it requires 

 the greatest heat possible during summer, and the most severe 

 cold in winter. 



Other species which have extremely showy flowers are R. 

 Buchanani (Otago lake district), R. Godleyanus (headwaters of 

 the Rakaia), R. insignis (southern Nelson, Tararua, and 

 Buahine Mountains), R. nivicola (Mount Egrnont). The only 

 similar species known outside of New Zealand, is R. Baurii of 

 the Transvaal mountains. 



Ranunculus crithmifolius (The Samphire-leaved Ranunculus). 



Similar to the next species, R. Haastii, but with shining green fleshy leaves, 

 and short 1-flowered scapes. Wairau Gorge. Known only from a single 

 specimen. 



The plant descriptions of many of the earlier botanists were 

 often of necessity very imperfect, and, consequently, later 

 investigators have frequently had much difficulty in identifying 



