KiKK. — ()/( iJw Xaiunilized Plants of Port XichoJf<ov. 3G7 



Carijuus marianus, Gcertn. 



From its great abundance and imposing aspect, tlie " blessed thistle " 

 is perhaps the most cliaracteristic of the naturalized plants of Wellington. 

 The loose nature of the soil of the hill-sides is highly favourable to the 

 germination of its seeds, so that the plant spreads with great rapidity, 

 forming in the spring large broad masses of bold green foliage with milk- 

 white veins ; these are succeeded by its great branched stems three to five 

 feet in height, terminated by the large flower-heads with their recurved 

 involucral spines and purple florets. Its autumn state of ragged decay is 

 less pleasant to contemplate, and the winter winds and rains gradually 

 accumulate fragments of dead stems in large quantities which do not finally 

 disappear for some months. 



In Auckland, where a dense sward of grass is soon formed, single 

 specimens of this plant have been known for the past fifteen years ; but, 

 although they seeded freely, the seeds had no ojpportunity of germinating, 

 so that the thistle did not spread. A remarkable exception to this rule 

 occurred during the formation of the Onehunga railway, where a few seeds 

 fell on disturbed soil, grew up and flowered. The railway works being 

 suspended, the plant increased rapidly, and spread wherever it could find 

 disturbed soil. It would be interesting to learn whether it is still able to 

 maintain itself in the locality. 



Cryptosteriima calendulacea, Br. 



The Cape weed, which is plentiful in Auckland, is with us confined to 

 the vicinity of Wanganui, where it is spreading rapidly. 



Xanthiuni spinosum, L. 



This (from a wool-grower's point of view) unwelcome intruder is 

 apparently confined to the single locality named in the list, but may be 

 expected to occur not unfrequently in the Wanganui and Patea districts, 

 It is the " Bathurst burr" of the Australian colonists. It is worth while to 

 remark that although this plant has been known in Auckland for the last 

 foiTrteen or fifteen years, it has done little more than maintain its existence, 

 and can scarcely be said to be injurious. The evils anticipated when it was 

 first observed have not been realized in the slightest degree. 



Verbascum thajjsus, L. 



The "hag taper" is more abundant in this vicinity than elsewhere, 

 doubtless from the same cause that conduces so largely to the spread of the 

 " blessed thistle." Its peculiar habit and woolly leaves afford a marked 

 and not unwelcome contrast to the surrounding vegetation. 



Verbena officinalis, L. 



This ancient " plant of power " exhibits a luxuriance and profusion 

 altogether unknown in Europe, and, from its usurping the place of nutritious 

 grasses in several localities, is causing dhect injury. 



