200 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Be this as it may, it is at least clear that, in one generation, 

 the plant changes from the leafy flowering liane of the forest, 

 to the leafless, compact, flowerless xerophyte of the open 

 country. As this form is unable to propagate itself, it has to 

 be perpetuated by escapees from the forest limits. The long 

 green twining stems of this variety with their yellow hooks 

 have a fascinating beauty, that must render the plant most 

 attractive to all lovers of nature. 



The species of Rubus are generally known to colonists as 

 bush lawyers, apparently because it is much easier to get into 

 their clutches than out of them. Domett, with less than his 

 usual benevolence, refers to them as 



" That vile twine of prickles fine, 

 Which, if it touch you, cuts and clings 

 Wherever you pass through brier and bush." 



Yet, in spite of this general condemnation, Rubus australis is 

 one of the finest ornaments of the fringe of the forest, when 

 in early summer it flings its great panicles of heavily-scented, 

 snow-white flowers over every bush and tree on the forest's 

 edge. 



Rubus austral is (The Southern Bramble.) 



A lofty climber. Leaves very variable ; the midribs armed with sharp, 

 hooked prickles. Leaflets usually 3-5, in long petioles, toothed. Flowers in 

 panicles, small, pink or white, axillary or terminal, fragrant. Fruit reddish, 

 dry. Both islands : in the bush or on its outskirts. Fl. Sept. -Dec. 



Rubus cissoides (The Ivy -like Bramble). 



A much smaller plant than the preceding. Stem without prickles, petioles 

 and midribs with few. Leaflets 3-5-foliate, very narrow, sometimes reduced to 

 midribs. Flowers in slender panicles, 2 in. -4 in. long. Petals yellowish. Fruit 

 very crowded. Both islands. Fl. Sept. -Oct. 



Rubus Schmidelioides (The Schmidelia-like Bramble). 



A dense bush. Midribs without prickles. Leaves usually 3-foliolate, with a 

 longer petiole to the terminal leaf. Leaflets oval, rounded below, coriaceous. 

 Flowering panicles 2-6 in. in length. Petals broad, flowers ^ in. across. Fruit 

 yellow, sweet, juicy. Both islands. Fl. Oct. -Nov. 



