BORAGINE^ 445 



Myosotis collina, Hoffm. 



First reported by Cheeseman in the Manual (1906) as occurring 

 in fields and waste places in both islands, not common. 



Echium vulgare, Linn. Viper's Bugloss 



First recorded in 1869 by Kirk as occurring on the west side of 

 the Firth of Thames; and in 1883 by Cheeseman at Matamata, and 

 near Hamilton. In 1896 it was reported by the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment to be spreading in Marlborough. W. W. Smith reported it as 

 spreading greatly in the Ashburton district, and as being fertilised 

 by humble-bees. In the Manual (1906) said to occur locally on 

 roadsides and waste places in both islands. 



Included in the Second Schedule of the Noxious Weeds Act of 

 1900 by Special Gazette Notice of 23rd March, 1905. 



Echium plantagineum, Linn. 



First recorded by Armstrong in Canterbury in 1879 (as E. viola- 

 ceum). In 1882 Cheeseman stated: "it has recently appeared in one 

 or two localities near Auckland." In the Manual (1906) it is said to 

 occur only in the North Island somewhat rarely, Cheeseman reporting 

 it from the vicinity of Auckland, and Kirk from a ballast heap in 

 Wellington. Yet in a Special Gazette Notice of 23rd March, 1905, 

 wild borage {Echium violaceum) is included in the Second Schedule 

 of the Noxious Weeds Act. This species.is not a borage, but a bugloss. 

 It is a serious pest in some parts of Australia, where it is known as 

 "Paterson's Curse." But it has not assumed dangerous proportions 

 in New Zealand. 



In more recent years the plant has become quite abundant in 

 some localities. Dr Colquhoun sent me specimens in 1919 from the 

 bed of the Otaio River in South Canterbury, which he informed me 

 was full of it, and was quite blue with its flowers in January. My son, 

 Dr J. Allan Thomson, also collected it about the same time from 

 Awapiri in Marlborough, where he makes the same statement, viz., 

 that the country is blue with it in January. 



Cynoglossum micranthum, Desf. 



This species was recorded by Hooker in 1864 from the Auckland 

 district. It has not been collected since. 



Cynoglossum fur catum, Willd. 



Recorded by W. W. Smith in 1903 as occurring in Ashburton 

 County. I do not know the species. 



