THE VEKBENA FAMILY 349 



distinctly blue, but the intense azure of the alpine gentian, or 

 the borage, is entirely absent from the mainland flora. 



Little is known of the significance of blue in the floral 

 world. Kerner considered that the indigos of the order 

 Boraginaceae may, in many cases, be due to the fact that the 

 plants live amongst faded yellow-grasses, with which blue 

 provides an excellent contrast. New Zealand, however, does 

 not furnish further evidence for this theory, for in accordance 

 with it, one would expect to find blue a common colour in the 

 tussock country ; but this is not the case. Herman Mueller 

 considered that bees preferred a deep violet-blue to any other 

 colour, and claimed that it was the latest colour evolved. The 

 presence of blues like those of Myosotidium and V.eronica 

 Benthami in the outlying islands, and their absence in New 

 Zealand, does not appear to support his claim. 



Verbenaceae. 



THE VERBENA FAMILY. 



Herbs, shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite, rarely alternate, without stipules. 

 Flowers regular, or irregular. Calyx 4-5-parted, corolla 4-5-lobed, often 2-lipped. 

 .Stamens usually 4 or 5, often in pairs. Ovary 2-4-celled ; cells 1-2-ovuled. 

 Fruit a drupe ; or separating into 4 1-seeded nutlets. 



Distribution. The Vebenaceae are found chiefly in tropical or sub-tropical 

 regions. They possess no important properties, though some are slightly 

 .aromatic. The Verbenas of our gardens are American in their origin. The 

 Lemon Plant is a South American species. Vitex littoralis, the New Zealand 

 Puriri, and Tectcma grandis, the East Indian Teak, furnish timber of a very 

 ^durable character. 



