1.5'2 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



GeiiHfi Polygonum. 



Very variable herbs, rarely shrubs, sometimes aquatic. Stipules often 

 fringed. Flowers white or red, usually in spikes or racemes, sometimes axillary 

 and solitary. Perianth 5-lobed : stamens usually G-8. Ovary triangular. A 

 large genus, of which the British species are kirown as knot-grass, bistort, etc. 

 (Name from the Greek, meaning many knots, in allusion to the knotted stems). 

 3 sp. 



Polygonum aviculare. (The Common Knot-grass). 



Stenr woody at the base. Branches hard, grooved, often prostrate, 6in. - 24in. 

 long. Leaves Jin. - liin. long, leathery, linear oblong; stipules silvery, ragged. 

 Flowers small, axillary, 1 - 3. Nut triangular. Very common on waste ground, 

 perhaps introduced. Fl. Dec. -March. 



G-eiiuv Millileii bechia. 



Shrubs, often climbing. Flowers usually spiked or panicled, sometimes 

 axillary and solitary. Perianth 5-lobed, becoming fleshy in fruit, white. 

 Stamens, 8. Ovary triangular in shape. Nut ovoid, black, enclosed in the white, 

 fleshy perianth. A small genus found in South America, New Zealand and 

 Avistralia. 4 sp. 



Muhlenbeckia adpressa. (The Close-fitting Milhlenheckia). 



A large rambling climber. Stem, twining, grooved. Leaves J-in. - 2in. 

 long, oblong or heart-shaped, 3-lol)ed in young plants. Flowers in spiked 

 panicles, green, small. Stigmas, plumose. Nut black, enclosed in the white 

 fleshy perianth. Both islands : common. Also in Norfolk Island, Australia and 

 Tasmania. Fl. Nov. 



Muhlenbeckia complexa. (The Clasping Milhlenheckia). 



Stems slender, creeping or climbing, interlacing, wiry, grooved. Leaves 

 shining, |-inch -Jinch long, rounded or heart-shaped. Flowers in spikes or 

 panicles, few. Nut l)lack, enclosed in the white fleshy perianth. Both islands. 

 Fl. Nov. 



Muhlenbeckia axillaris. (Tlie Axillanj-Floivered Muhlenbeckia). 



A small, variable species, with slender, tufted branches. Leaves small, 

 shining, iinin. -Jin. long, oblong, obtuse. Flowers axillary, solitary. Perianth 

 fleshy in fruit. Both islands: chiefly in mountainous districts. Fl. Oct. -Nov. 



Gen IIS liiiiitex. 



Herbs, rarely shrubby. Stipules ragged. Flowers in racemes or panicles, 

 inconspicuous, green or reddish. Sepals, 6, the 3 inner enlarged.- Styles 3. 

 Fruit a triangular nut, covered by the three enlarged inner sepals. A large and 

 widely distributed genus, to which Ijelong the Docks and the Sorrels. 2 sp. 



