RANUNCULACEiE 367 



Aconitum napellus, Linn. Monkshood 



First recorded by W. W. Smith in 1903, as a garden escape at 

 Ashburton. There is no report of it from any other locality. It does 

 not seem to spread readily. 



BERBERIDE^ 



Berberis vulgaris, Linn. Barberry 



First recorded by the author in 1873, as occurring on the site of 

 abandoned gardens in the Taieri Plain, and near Dunedin. Since 

 the vast increase of blackbirds and thrushes the barberry has been 

 spread a great deal, and is to be found in many districts at a short 

 distance from settlement. It is becoming common near Dunedin. 

 Kerner records that when seeds of the barberry have passed through 

 the alimentary canal of a thrush the period of germination is hastened. 



PAPAVERACE^E 



Papaver hyhridum, Linn. Rough Poppy 



First recorded as a garden escape at Ashburton by W. W. Smith 

 in 1903. It has not been reported from any other locality. 



Papaver Argemone, Linn. Pale Poppy 



First recorded by the author in 1870 from Southland among 

 freshly sown pastures. Also reported from Ashburton by W. W. 

 Smith. Has not spread. 



Papaver horridum, DC. 



Appeared in a fowl run at Maheno in North Otago in 19 17; 

 supposed to have been introduced with Canadian Wheat. The species 

 is S. African and Australian. 



Papaver dubium, Linn. Long-headed Poppy 



First noted by the author in 1885 on heaps of tailings at Coal 

 Creek, Clutha Valley. Petrie has also reported it from cultivated 

 fields in various parts of Otago. 



Papaver Rhoeas, Linn. Field Poppy 

 First recorded in 1869 by Kirk among naturalised plants of Auck- 

 land; and from Southland by the author in 1870. In Cheeseman's 

 Manual it is stated to be found in both islands in "cornfields and 

 waste places, not common." (Fl., Dec. to Feb.) It has not spread 

 to any extent, however, though all the conditions for its increase 

 seem favourable. 



