156 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Genii.'i Salicoiiiia. 



Succulent, jointecl, leafless herbs. Flowers minute, 2-sexual, sunk in the 

 joints of the stem. (Name from the Latin, signifying salt-horn). 1 sp. 



Salicornia indica (Tlie Indian Salicornia). 



Stems prostrate. Branches ascending 6 in. -12 in. long. Joints variable in 

 size, sometimes bright pink in colour. Branches terminating in cylindrical 

 cones. Calyx fleshy. Stamens, 1 or 2. Fruit membranous. Both islands : 

 stony or muddy beaches. PL Dec. -Feb. 



Caryophyllaceae. 



Family of Pinks. 



Distribution. — A large family, distributed over cold and temperate regions. 

 With the exception of the Pinks and Carnations, the flowers of the order are of 

 little general interest. Many of them are British weeds, and a number of them 

 have been introduced into the Colony. The juices possess no active properties 

 except in the case of Sapcntaria, which contains the poisonous principle 

 sn2)07iine. 



Key to the Genera. 



1. SepaLs 4 or 5, united or free. 1 

 Sepals 2. Hectorella. p. 1.58. 



2. Sepals free or united only at the base. 3 

 Calyx 5 toothed and nerved. iGypsoi^blla. 



3. Petals 0. IColobantlins. 

 Petals present. 4 



i. Stip\iles 0. Stellaria. p. 156. 



Stipules present, riiembranous. iSpergularia. 



(!■ Not further described). 



Genus Htelhifia- 



Usually weak, straggling herbs, with small white flowers, found in temperate 

 and cold regions. Petals and sepals 4-.5. Stamens 8-10. Of 80 species, G are 

 endemic in New Zealand. Many others have become naturalized. The chick- 

 weeds, stitchworts, &c., belong to this genus. (Name from the Latin, in allusion 

 to the star-like appearance of the flower). 



Stellaria Roughii (lioiirjJi's Cltickweed). 



This is a very distinct species, found only in tlie alpine districts of the South 

 Island. It is an erect, succulent herb, not more than four inches in heiglit. 

 Leaves J in.-i in. long. Flowers J in. -J- in. across, terminal, solitary, green. 

 I'etals smaller than the sepals. Seeds large, l)rown, hairy. 



