26 An Emimcration of Niihau Plants. 



Buphorbia Stokesii, sp. nov. 



Frutex 6 dm. altus; foliis oppositis, obovatis, turbinatis vel emarginatis, 

 carnosis, glabris, 4.2-4 cm. longis, 2.6 cm. latis, cum petiolis 5 mm. longis; 

 stipulis membraceis. Axillares, solitari cum pedicellis 1.3-1.5 cm. longis; 

 involucre campanulato, glabro, 2 mm. longo, cum 5 glandulis latioris quam 

 altioris; lobis triangularis, tridenticulatis; staminodibus exsertis, bracteolis 

 divisis et fimbris. Capsula glabra, 3 mm. longa; seminibus ovoidis, tetra- 

 gonis, scorbiculatis, cinereis. 



Type locality, near the beach at Kii, Niihau, H. I. J. V . G. 

 Stokes. January, 1912. 



A low prostrate shrub 6 dm. high; with thick nodose branches, 

 sub-herbaceous at the ends. lycaves opposite, obovate, often 

 emarginate or turbinate, rather fleshy, glabrous, bluish green 

 above, paler beneath, 4.2-4 cm. long, 2.6 cm. wide; with petioles 

 5 mm. long. Stipules low rounded, membraneous. Flowers axil- 

 lary, single, on pedicels 1.3-1.5 cm. long. Involucre campanulate, 

 2 mm. long, glabrate; throat pubescent; glands 5, broader than 

 high; lobes triangular with three minute teeth. Staminiphores 

 exserted; bractlets about one-half the length of the staminiphore, 

 split and fimbriate. Styles short. Capsule glabrous, 3 mm. long, 

 on a short stalk. Seeds ovoid, tetragonous, scrobiculate, ash- 

 colored. 



This plant can be readil}- distinguished from all other species 

 of the multiforniis group of these islands b}^ the character of its 

 very different leaves. They are relatively much wider and more 



fleshy than those of other members of the group. 



[108] 



