CAPRIFOLIACE^ 419 



over 60 years, and since blackbirds and thrushes have become 

 common, has been spread very widely. 



It was declared a noxious weed in the Third (optional) Schedule 

 of the Act of 1908, by Special Gazette Notice of 23rd July, 1914. 



RUBIACEiE 



Galium verum, Linn. Bed-straw 



First recorded by Cheeseman in 1907 as occurring at Mahurangi. 

 It does not seem to have spread. 



Galium palustre, Linn. 



Reported from swamps near Mauku, Manukau Harbour, by H. 

 Carse (in Manual, 1906). 



Galium Mollugo, Linn. 



Reported as occurring between the Manukau Harbour and the 

 Waikato River, by H. Carse (in Manual, 1906). 



Galium Aparine, Linn. Goose-grass ; Cleavers 



First recorded from the Auckland district in 1870 by Kirk, and 

 again in 1877 from Wellington. Now a very abundant weed in waste 

 ground, hedges, etc., in most parts of both islands. (Fl., Jan. to March.) 



Galium parisiense, Linn. 



First recorded by Cheeseman in 1882 as occurring in fields at 

 Remuera, Auckland, but rare. In the Manual (1906) it is reported 

 from Whangarei by Kirk, and Motueka by Kingsley. Also again 

 from the vicinity of Auckland by Cheeseman. 



Sherardia arvensis, Linn. Field Madder 



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

 all cultivated land throughout New Zealand, especially common in 

 pastures and waste land. (FL, Dec. to Feb.) In Europe the flowers 

 are visited by Eristalis tenax. 



VALERIANEiE 



Centranthus ruber, DC. Spur-valerian 

 First recorded by Kirk in 1877 from several parts in the Wel- 

 lington district, and by Cheeseman in 1822 as an occasional garden 

 escape at Mongonui, Auckland and Thames. It is fairly common in 

 many suburban areas. (FL, Nov. to April.) 



27 — 2 



