BUTTERCUP, ANEMONE, AND CLEMATIS FAMILY 171 



Ranunculus Haastii (Haast's Ranunculus). 



Stem simple, erect, without runners. Achenes glabrous ; leaves few, much 

 divided, leathery. Scape few-flowered, with leafy involucre. Perhaps the only 

 New Zealand species with a stout, fleshy rootstock. Shingle-slips in the South 

 Island, from Nelson to Otago. Fl. Dec. -Jan. 



A similar plant to R. crithmifolius, but much more widely 

 distributed. Both species, however, were said to be found 

 together on the shingle-slips of the Wairau. R. Haastii has 

 flower-stalks as thick as the finger, and a stout, fleshy root- 

 stock that burrows deep into the shingle. Thus, by 

 increasing the succulence of its parts, it has managed to 

 adapt itself to an exceedingly inclement situation. 



Ranunculus hirtus and Ranunculus lappaceus are the New 

 Zealand representatives of the English meadow buttercup, 

 whilst R. rivularis, R. acaulis, and R. macropus are found in 

 swamps and pools. There are also many introduced species. 



Genus Caltha. 



A genus of few species, occurring in temperate and cold regions. Perennial 

 herbs, with large, shining, radical leaves, and yellow flowers. 2 sp. 



Caltha novae-Zelandiae (The New Zealand Caltha). 



A stout, fleshy plant, with heart-shaped, auricled leaves, and 1-flowered 

 scapes. Petals none. Sepals coloured, petaloid. Stamens numerous. Carpels 

 5-8. Both islands in alpine districts. Dwarf specimens are found also in 

 Stewart Island. Fl. Oct.-Jan. 



This is a little alpine marsh-marigold, interesting on 

 account of its leaf structure. The functions of the upper and 

 lower sides of the leaves have been largely reversed. The 

 stomata are found on the upper surface, and the water storage 

 apparatus on the lower. The lobes at the leaf base are 

 usually bent upwards, or even turned right over upon the 

 blade. A similar folding is found in the South American C. 

 dioneaefolia, and in this case Goebel considers that the object 

 of the bent leaf-bases is to secure wind-still spaces for the 

 stomata to function in. The margins of the leaf are also 



