THE ROSE FAMILY 201 



Rubus parvus {The Small Bramble). 



A slender, prostrate plant, with reddish stems, 12 in. -18 in. long. Leaves 

 bronze in colour, simple, 1 in. -3 in. long, sharply toothed. Flowers few, 

 prickles few. Fruit J in.-l in. long, red, sweet. 



This is a beautiful little forest species, hitherto only found 

 near the head-waters of several western rivers of the South 

 Island. The leaves are most delicately veined, and in autumn 

 turn to a beautiful bronze colour. It is, therefore, one of 

 the few New Zealand plants that show autumn tints. Others 

 are Fuschia excorticata and a species of Nothofagus. Here 

 autumn lays no " fiery finger on the woods," and spring does 

 not renew. The lack of these seasonal changes undoubtedly 

 detracts much from the beauty of the New Zealand forests. 

 The colours of the bush, though varied, are as a whole rather 

 sombre, and alter but little throughout the whole circle of the 

 year. 



Genus Ac(X)i,a. 



Perennial, prostrate herbs, with dense heads of minute flowers, and spinous 

 fruit. Leaves pinnate, the whole plant often reddish iu colour. Galj'x 4-5- 

 lobed, petals none. Stamens 1-10, rarely 80-40. Calyx-tube bristly, with 

 hooked or barbed spines. These calyces sometimes cling to the wool of sheep in 

 sueh quantities as to materially damage the fleece. (Name from the Greek for a 

 spine, in reference to the spinous calyces). Maori name Piri-piri.* 6 sp. 



Acaena sanguisorbae {The Bidi-bidi). 



Leaflets 8-10, ^ in. -J in. long, coarsely toothed. Flowers in globose heads, on 

 peduncles .3 in. -6 in. long. Fruiting calyx 4-angled, with a long barbed purple 

 bristle at each angle. Stamens 2. Stems prostrate. Fl. Oct. -Jan. (Sangxiisorba 

 means blood-stanching, and is in allusion to the supposed properties of the 

 European Sanguisorba or Burnet). 



Acaena novae-Zelandiae {Tlie New Zealand Accena). 



Stems erect. Stamens 2 or 3. Fruiting calyx silky, red, slightly winged. 

 Bristles barbed, reddish purple. Flower-heads larger than in A. Sangiiisorbas. 

 Both islands. Fl. Nov. -Jan. 



Acsena microphylla {Tlis Small-leaved Accena). 



Chiefly distinguishable by the absence of barbs upon the bristles of the 

 calyx. Flower-stems 1 in. -3 in. long ; heads sometimes sessile. Bristles 4, 

 bright red. Both islands. Fl. Nov. -Jan. 



*Tliis name was applied to other small plants. 



