CARYOPHYLLE^ 383 



Sagina procumbens, Linn. Pearlwort 



First recorded from the neighbourhood of Dunedin in 1879 ^Y 

 the author. Now extremely abundant in damp ground. Either this 

 or the following species are used as the basis of bowling greens in 

 some parts of the country, Invercargill, Gore, etc. It forms a very 

 close fine sward. (PL, Oct. to March.) 



Sagina apetala, Linn. Pearlwort 



First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864. Abundant in most parts 

 of New Zealand. (Fl., Oct. to Jan.) 



Spergula arvensis, Linn. Spurrey ; Yar 



First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864. A most abundant weed 

 of cultivation, especially in the south. In damp seasons it is a serious 

 menace to turnip crops, as it is most difficult to destroy. It thrives 

 especially well, too, in ground which has been treated with phosphatic 

 manures, which are the principal artificial stimulants used in New 

 Zealand farming. (FL, Oct. to Jan.) Visited in Europe by hive-bee 

 (Apis mellifica) and drone-fly (Eristalis tenax). 



Spergula pentandra, Linn. 

 Stated by Kirk to be naturalised near Wellington. 



Spergularia rubra, St Hilaire. Sandwort Spurrey 

 First recorded from the neighbourhood of Wellington by Kirk in 

 1877, and from Ashburton in 1903 by W. W. Smith. Cheeseman in 

 the Manual (1906) reports it as abundant on roadsides and waste 

 places in both islands. While the indigenous species S. media is found 

 near the sea, this introduced one is usually found in inland localities, 

 according to Cheeseman. (FL, Nov. to Feb.) 



Polycarpon tetraphyllum, Linn. 

 First recorded in Hooker's list in 1864. Very abundant on road- 

 sides and waste places in both islands. In 1877 Kirk recorded a 

 varietal form which produced "hemispherical masses of deep green 

 foliage" as abundant on the sands near Cape Palliser. (FL, Sept. to 



June.) 



PORTULACE^ 



Portulaca oleracea, Linn. Purslane 

 Apparently introduced by Cook in 1773 in the gardens made in 

 Queen Charlotte Sound. It is not included in Hooker's list of intro- 

 duced plants in 1864, but Kirk records it from the Great Barrier 

 Island in 1867. Cheeseman in the Manual (1906) reports it as 



