195 



Apocyne^. 



Farf^onsia alhijiora, Raoul. An elegant climber, with fine foliage of long 

 lanceolate coriaceous leaves ; it bears panicles of wliite scented flowers in 

 spring, quite one of the ornaments of the bushy gullies. 



Farsoicsia rosea, Raoul. In every way more slender than P. alhijiora ; 

 its blossoms have a rosy tint. Flowers in December. 



SOLANE^. 



Solanum avtculare, Forst. A very common shrub, with dark green foliage 

 and purplish flower ; berry orange coloured, edible. Its usefulness as a 

 shelteiing plant or nurse for young trees should be mentioned. It is grown 

 from seed without the least trouble ; not very hardy, but its usefulness as a 

 nurse-plant, from the rapidity of its growth, can scarcely be overvalued by 

 the planter of exotic Coniferce or any young shrubs or trees requiring shelter. 



SCEOir-IIULAUINE^. 



Veronica Dieffenhachii, Benth. This species, from its drooping habit, spreads 

 over a large space of ground in proportion to its height. Our experience leads 

 us to conclude this plant is a shy bloomer ; it is easily propagated by cuttings j 

 it tlu'ives well in a light sandy soil. 



Veronica macroura, Hook. f. This free-growing species is valuable from 

 its thriving by the sea side. 



Veronica salicifolia, Forst. This shrub is familiarly known in this district 

 and throughout the province as Koromiko ; it is so universally met with that 

 its claims for cultivation as an ornamental plant are not sufiiciently recognized. 

 Flowers throughout the summer. 



Vero7iica ligustrifolia, Cunn. Although we have not flowered this species, 

 young plants obtained from Port Nicholson are growing well under ordinary 

 cultivation. 



Veronica Traversii, Hook. f. This species heads an important group of 

 the family ; it has a very extensive distribution from the coast line to the 

 Southern Alps. Hardy and of excellent habit, any ordinary soil appears to 

 suit it. We have a very distinct sub-alpine variety, obtained from the rocky 

 banks of a creek in the Ashburton District ; it is dwarf in habit, from 2 to 

 3 feet in height, of spreading form ', the leaves large, very coriaceous j 

 flowers abundant ; cui tings require a longer time than most other species to 

 form good looi-s. When better known, perhaps this shrub may be allowed the 

 honours of a distinct species. 



Veronica vernicosa, Hook. f. One of the most desirable of the alpine shrubs, 

 whether we consider its compact habit, fine colour, or the readiness with which 

 it submits to, and impi-oves under, cultivation. We have a very distinct variety 

 from the Upper Ashburton Disti-ict, which is of a dwarfer and less compact 

 form than the plant commonly known by this name ; it produces flowers 



