172 PLANTS OP NEW ZEALAND 



sometimes so much inrolled as almost completely to overarch 

 the stomatic areas. 



This method of obtaining wind-calm spaces is known in 

 other groups of plants. The leaves of many of the 

 Papilionaceae, for example, are infolded to protect the 

 stomatic surfaces. 



In other species of the genus Caltha, normal leaf-structure is 

 found. Thus, in G. andicola of the Upper Andes, the stomata 

 are borne on the lower surface, and the leaf is otherwise of 

 the usual type. Intermediate forms between this and C. 

 novae- Zelandiae are found elsewhere. The abnormal form 

 is evidently an adaptation to an alpine environment. 



Magnoliaceae. 



THE MAGNOLIA FAMILY. 



Distribution. The plants of this order are chiefly natives of southern 

 North America, and of tropical and temperate Asia. Many of them are hand- 

 some shrubs, cultivated for their beauty and for the sweet scent of their flowers. 



Genus Drimys. 



Sepals 2-4 ; petals 5 or 6, in two rows. Stamens many ; fruit a berry. 

 (Name from the Greek, signifying pungent] . 3 sp. 



Drimys axillaris (The Axil- flowered Drimys). 



A small, evergreen tree, with glossy, alternate leaves, and black bark. The 

 flowers occur in the leaf axils, or in the scars of fallen leaves, hence the name 

 axillaris. Leaves simple, alternate, pellucid-dotted. Stamens 10-20. There is 

 in the South Island a pungent species, D. colorata, which has leaves 

 blotched with red, with a purple bloom on the under-surface and 2-seeded berries. 

 The wood of this tree is reddish in colour, and is used for inlaid work. The bark 

 is very aromatic, and is a tonic and astringent. A decoction of the leaves is often 

 used by bushmen as a medicine, and has earned the name of " Maori Painkiller." 

 Flowers yellowish-green. Fl. Oct. -Dec. Called by settlers the Pepper Tree. 

 Maori name Horopito. 



