Cheeseman. — Revision of the N.Z. Species of Carex. 431 



This is an additional proof of the axial nature of the rachilla, and of the 

 correctness of the theory that the perigynium is composed of a modified 

 bract. 



15. C. ternaria, Worst. Prodr., no. 549; Hook. fil. Fl. Nov. Zeal, i., 

 282 ; Handbk. N.Z. Flora, 314. C. geminata, Schkuhr, Car., 75. C. poly- 

 stachya, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel., hi., t. 21. 



Var. a. — Tall and stout ; leaves broad, often over -J inch ; spikelets 

 numerous, stout, pendulous. 



Var. f3, gracilis. — Tall, slender ; leaves -|-i inch ; spikelets usually 

 numerous, long, often over 4 inches, very slender, sometimes hardly ^ inch 

 in diameter. Approaches C. subdola. 



Var. y, ■pallida. — Stout, leaves often rigid and coriaceous ; spikelets 

 fewer, short, pale, on long filiform peduncles ; perigynia broader and more 

 turgid, hardly nerved, sometimes with serrate margins. 



North and South Islands. — Varieties a and j3 abundant throughout, from 

 the North Cape to Stewart Island and the Auckland Isles, and from sea- 

 level to 4,000 feet. Var. y. — Marshy places in the mountains of the South 

 Island, apparently plentiful, D: Petrie ! T.F.C. 



This is one of the most variable of the New Zealand Carices, as also one 

 of the most common and widely diffused. I have endeavoured to sort its 

 numerous forms into three main varieties, as characterized above ; but it 

 must be borne in mind that there are numerous intermediates. Var. a is 

 usually of general occurrence in lowland districts, by the margins of swamps, 

 along the banks of streams and in open gullies. It is often over 4 feet in 

 height, with broad harsh and cutting leaves -J inch or more across, and 

 numerous (12-24) dark brown stout pendulous spikelets, that are often 3 or 

 4 inches long by -J- inch broad. Var. gracilis is usually found in woods. 

 Small forms appear to pass into C. subdola ; but ordinarily it can be dis- 

 tinguished by the longer awns to the glumes, and more numerous ternate 

 or quinate pendulous spikelets. The extreme form of var. pallida has a 

 very distinct appearance, and is probably the same as the supposed new 

 species briefly noticed in the " Handbook " as having been collected by 

 Haast near Lake Ohau. But in many districts transition forms between it 

 and var. a can be collected. 



C. ternaria appears to be confined to New Zealand. 



16. C. buchanani, Berggren, Journ. of Botany, 1880, p. 104. C. 

 tenax, Berggren in Physiograph. Saltskaps Minneskrift Lund, 1878, t. 3, f. 

 1-7 (a name already occupied). 



South Island. — Abundant in hilly and mountain districts throughout, 

 rare in the lowlands. Berggren, Armstrong ! Buchanan ! Petrie ! G. M. 

 Thomson ! T.F.C. It also probably occurs in the mountainous districts in 

 the centre of the North Island, but I have seen no specimens from thence, 



