﻿•242 Transactions. — Botany. 



Another species, A. trinervia, forms a large portion of the forest undergrowth 

 from, the extreme north to the Upper Waikato, and probably much further 

 south. A. Banhsii is abundant on sheltered sea cliffs, within much the same 

 limits, and the diminutive A. linearis forms large patches on the mountains 

 from the Ruahine southward to Lord Auckland's group and Campbell Island. 

 All the New Zealand species are endemic. 



The general diffusion of the epiphytal A. Solanclri, and its prominence in 

 all pictures of forest scenery, have doubtless given rise to the erroneous idea 

 that all the large-growing species are epiphytal. In the " Flora, N.Z.," it is 

 stated that " the large kinds usually form striking objects on the lofty New 

 Zealand forest trees," and in the " Handbook " that " the New Zealand species 

 are all dioecious, and from growing on lofty forest trees it is difficult to match 

 the sexes." Astelia Banksii is specially stated to occur on the limbs of forest 

 trees, but the fact is that only two species are epiphytic, A. Solandri and 

 A. Cunninghamii; the latter rarely or never occurs in lai'ge masses so as to 

 form a conspicuous object in the forest. Astelia trinervia, the most abundant 

 of all the species, in the north at least, is invariably terrestrial, as is A. Banlsii. 

 A. grandis is uliginal, and A. Hookeriana rupestral. 



All the species are characterized by linear leaves, with broad sheathing 

 bases, more or less silky or shaggy ; yet in its habit of growth each species 

 exhibits marked points of difference, which are easily recognized when ouce 

 pointed out, and in nearly every case the mature fruit alone affords character 

 which cannot be mistaken. The branches of the male panicles are often 

 flexuous and interlaced,, especially in A. trinervia, A. Cunninghamii, and 

 A. Banksii ; those of the female panicles are rigid and erect, except in 

 A. Solandri. In A. trinervia, A. Hookeriana, and A. Cu7ininghamii, the 

 elongated scapes are weak and prostrate in fruit ; in A. Solandri the scape 

 itself is erect, and the branches pendulous ; in A. grandis the stout triqtietrous 

 scape, and rigid erect branches, alone suffice to distinguish that species from 

 its congeners, and in A. Banksii the scape, although slender, is invariably 

 erect. The leaves of several species are covered on one or both surfaces with 

 a thin pellicle, which can be detached in long strips. 



The flowers of A. Solandri are highly attractive, their bright lemon colour 

 forms a mai-ked contrast with the surrounding foliage, and the plant itself 

 calls vividly to mind descriptions of tropical forest scenery. Some of its 

 immense female panicles contain from 4,000 to 5,000 flowers, and are succeeded 

 by the bright crimson fruit, no less showy. The bright maroon hue of the 

 flowers of A. Cunninghamii is also attractive, but in a much less degree ; the 

 handsome erect black purple fruit of A. Banksii is remarkably striking ; and 

 the orange coloured berries of A. grandis may be detected at a considerable 

 distance. All the large kinds are sought after when in flower by bees. 



