1()H PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



most inappropriate, as the plant is not a lily, but a large white 

 buttercup. However, any large-leaved herbaceous native jjlant 

 is called by the colonists a lily, especially if it lias white 

 tiowers. For another instance of the misuse of the name, v. 

 Chatham Island Lily, Myosotidium nobile. 



Baiiii/iculus Li/allii is not unlike tlie English king-cup in 

 its habit of growth, having the same large, round, fleshy 

 leaves and juicy stems. But the flower of the king-cup is 

 golden, and that of the Mount Cook Lily is of a pure and 

 waxy white. This Bammculus grows only in the alpine 

 districts of the Soutli Island, and at an altitude of from 

 '2,000 to 4000 feet. It may, however, be readily seen on 

 Mackinnon's Pass, on Arthur's Pass, and near Mount Cook, 

 where it forms dense patclres as high up as the Ball Hut on 

 the edge of the Tasman Glacier. It is one of the most 

 beautiful plants in the New Zealand alpine flora — its white 

 anemone-like flowers contrasting well with its large, dark glossy- 

 green leaves which sometimes measure fifteen inches across. 

 This plant and B. Traversii are the only species with peltate 

 leaves. It is cultivated with difliculty, as it requires the 

 greatest heat possible during summer, and the most severe 

 cold in winter. 



Other species which have extremely sliowy flowers are B. 

 BacJianani (Otago lake district), B. Godleyanus (headwaters of 

 the Rakaia), B. insignis (southern Nelson, Tararua, and 

 Kuahine Mountains), B. nivicola (Mount Bgmont). The only 

 similar species known outside of New Zealand, is B. Brinrii of 

 the Transvaal mountains. 



Ranunculus crithmifolius (The Samphire-leaved Banunailvs). 



Similar to tlie next species, R. Hiiastii, but with shining green fleshy leaves, 

 and short l-flowered seapes. Wairau Gorge. Known on-ly from a single 

 specimen. 



The plant descriptions of many of the earlier botanists were 

 often of necessity very imperfect, and, consequently, later 

 investigators liave frequently had much difliculty in identifying 



