200 PLANTS OP NEW ZEALAND 



Be this as it may, it is at least clear that, in one generation, 

 the plant changes from the leafy flowering liane of the forest, 

 to the leafless, C(.')mpact, flowerless xerophyte of the open 

 country. As this form is unable to propagate itself, it has to 

 be perpetuated by escapees from the forest limits. The long 

 green twinmg stems of this variety with their yellow hooks 

 have a fascinating beauty, that must render the plant most 

 attractive to all lovers of nature. 



The species of Biibits are generally known to colonists as 

 bu.9Ji lawijern, apparently because it is much easier to get 

 into their clutches than out of them. Domett, with less than 

 his usual benevolence, refers to them as 



Th;it \ilu twine of prickles fine, 

 Whicli, if it toucli >'0U, cuts and clings 

 Where'er you pass through hrier and hush." 



Yet, in spite of this general condemnation, Ruhia^ australis is 

 one of the finest ornaments of the fringe of the forest, when 

 111 early summer it flings its great panicles of heavily-scented, 

 snow-white flowers over every bush and tree on the forest's 

 edge. 



Rubus australis (TJie Southern Bramble.) 



A lofty cliniher. Leaves very variahle ; the inidrihs arnred with sharp, 

 hooked prickles. Leaflets usually 8-.5, in long petioles, toothed. Flowers in 

 panicles, small, [link or white, axillary or terminal, fragrant. Fruit reddish, 

 dry. Both islands ; in the hush or on its outskirts. Fl. Sept. -Dec. 



Rubus cissoides (Tlw I ri/ -like Bramble). 



A much smaller plant than the preceding. Stem without prickles, petioles 

 and midrihs with few. Ijeatlets 3-.5-foliate, very narrow, .sometimes reduced to 

 midrihs. Flowers in slender panicles, 'J in. -4 in. long. Petals yellowish. Fruit 

 very crowded. I-!oth islands. Fl. Sept. -Oct. 



Rubus Schmidelioides (The Svlimidelia-ltke Bramble). 



A dense bush. Midrihs without prickles. Leaves usually 3-foliolate, with a 

 longer petiole to the terminal leaf. Leaflets oval, rounded below, coriaceous. 

 Flowering panicles 2-6 in. in length. Petals broad, flowers A- in. across. Fruit 

 yellow, sweet, juicy. 



