340 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Apocynaceae. 



THE PERIWINKLE FAMILY. 



Distribution. A large family of about a thousand species, chiefly tropical, 

 of which the Periwinkle (Vinca) is the only British genus. Many of the plants 

 possess more or less poisonous properties, though some have edible fruit. The 

 Oleander, every part of which is poisonous, is cultivated for the beauty of its 

 flowers. 



Genus Parsonsia. 



A small genus (about 10 species) of climbing plants. Leaves remarkably 

 variable. Flowers in panicles. Fruit of two, long, narrow, pod-like capsules. 

 Seeds silky-haired. (Named in honour of Parsons, a botanist). 2 sp. 



Parsonsia heterophylla (The Varied-leaved Parsonsia). 

 Stems as thick as a quill, shining. Leaves leathery, 1 in. -2 in. broad, oblong, 

 or lanceolate, 3 in. -4 in long, with lobed margins. Flowers white, scented, % in. 

 long. Anthers within the corolla. Both islands. Fl. Nov. -Dec. 



Parsonsia capsularis (The Capsulate Parsonsia). 



Stems slender. Leaves usually 2 in. -3 in. long, narrow. Panicles few- 

 flowered. Corolla ^j in. long, white, red, or rarely yellow. Anthers protruding 

 beyond the corolla. Both islands. Fl. Nov.-Dec. 



There can be but little doubt that the New Zealand species 

 are insufficiently defined. It is probable that there are still 

 one or more undescribed species in the country. The young 

 plants, with their long, narrow, leathery, red-brown leaves, 

 will not be recognized as belonging to the genus, unless their 

 development has been watched. The beautiful fragrant 

 panicles of white or red jessamine-like flowers are much 

 sought after, by visitors to the bush. 



