106 LTCOPODiACEiE. \Lj/c(^odiv/m 



7. L. laterals, Br. 



Stems prostrate, ascending or erect, 3-12 in. long, simple or 

 branched; leaves ^-^ in. long, lanceolate-subulate, imbricating all 

 round the stem, spreading and squarrose ; spikes lateral and sessile,, 

 about ^ in. long, brown or yellowish ; bracts small, in about 4 rows,, 

 broadly ovate, suddenly contracted to a stiff erect point. 



Var. diffusum, Br. — Smaller and more rigid ; branches numerous,, 

 ascending. Leaves about ^ in. long ; spikes brown. 



Distribution. — Tasmania, Australia, and New Caledonia. AlsO' 

 found in the Chatham Islands. 



A species of wide range in New Zealand, occurring in rather- 

 swampy ground from N. Cape to Stewart Island, but often very 

 local. Var. diffusum is chiefly alpine in its occurrence, but also- 

 ranges from sea-level, in Stewart Island and other places, to a consi- 

 derable elevation. 



8. L. carolinianum, L. 



Stems 2-6 in. long, creeping and rooting like rhizomes, as do the 

 few branches. Leaves ^-^ in. long, narrow lanceolate, curved, 

 acuminate, crowded all round the stem. Spike 1-2 in. long, cylindric,, 

 on erect lateral branches (peduncled) 1-4 in. long, which are covered 

 with small erect leaves ; scales broadly-ovate below, with rigid,, 

 spreading points, and scarious, serrulate margins. 



Distribution. — Common in tropical and sub-tropical regions of both 

 Old and New Worlds. 



Its range in New Zealand is confined to a small portion of the- 

 northern part of the Auckland district, between the Bay of Islands^ 

 Mongonui, and Hokianga. 



9. L. clavatum, L. ,- var. magellanicum, Hook f. 



Stems stout, rigid, creeping, and leafless below, 4-10 in. long;! 

 branches 3-12 in. high, stout, erect, dense. Leaves \ in. long, linear 

 or linear-lanceolate, acute, imbricating all round the stem, spreading,, 

 squarrose, or incurved. Spikes 1-3 in. long, solitary or in pairs, on 

 short, stout, leafy terminal peduncles ; scales closely imbricating, 

 lanceolate, with long, acuminate, spreading points. 



Synonyms. — L. magellanicum, Swartz ; L. fastigiatum, Br. ; L.. 

 pichinense, Hoolc; L. diffusum. Spring, (not Br.) 



Distribution. — The typical form of the species is an abundant 

 plant in the northern, and parts of the southern, hemisphere ; it is. 

 chiefly characterized by the hair-like tips and serrulate margins of 

 the leaves. 



The southern variety is common in Australia, Tasmania, South 

 America, and the Antarctic Islands. Also found in the Auckland, 

 Campbell, and Chatham Islands. 



It is abundant in the moimtain regions of both islands, but ranges- 



