382 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



leaves. They are nearly all rock-growing plants, and are 

 generally found in limited and discontinuous areas. Veronica 

 Lavaudiana is an extremely rare species, being found in only 

 a few localities on Banks Peninsula. It is still to be seen on 

 Dover Castle, The Giant's Causeway, and on some other 

 isolated rocks, that rise like islands from a sea of tussocks on 

 the tops of the Lyttelton Hills. These cliffs afford a sanctuary 

 to several other rare species. Unfortunately, the frequent 

 grass fires, and grazing animals, are together causing much 



Fig. 128. V. lycopodioid.es (% nat. size). 



havoc amongst native plants upon these hills, and the only 

 ones that appear likely to survive are those that can exist on 

 the bare faces of inaccessible cliffs. Amonst the rare forms of 

 the Peninsula may be mentioned Senecio saxifragoides, 

 Celmisia Mackaui, and Veronica Lavaudiana, all of them 

 interesting and handsome species. 



Veronica Lavaudiana bears pink buds, and beautiful white 

 blossoms, that open in late Octeber, after the cultivated spring 

 flowers are past, and before the annuals have come into bloom. 

 Coming as it does between the seasons, it is sometimes of 

 considerable value to florists in the preparation of wreaths,. 



