208 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



protected by being sunk in hair-lined grooves in the stem. 

 According to Diels, the stiff branches of this genus prevent any 

 shaking which might promote evaporation ; and the unusually 

 well developed cuticle supplies further protection against 

 excessive transpiration. The stem is of a remarkably bright 

 yellow with deep grooves of a greenish hue running down it 

 longitudinally. 



A leafless plant, such as C. australis, with long slender, 

 rounded branches, is sometimes termed a switch plant. The 

 dwarf species form patch-plants (v. Raoidia) in river-beds, 

 and on dry mountain sides. Their habit is extreirrely 

 singular, and they frequently give the impression of having 

 been comparatively tall plants that have been mown down by 

 the scythe, or of plants that have been suddenly arrested in 

 their growth. The squat, broad stems are singularly ungainly. 



The genus is characterized by the strange method in which 

 the pod opens to allow the seeds to escape. The sides fall 

 away from the thickened edges, which are left on the plant, 

 and form a frame enclosing the seeds. These seeds are 

 suspended by slender threads, and are generally black or of a 

 brilliant red. Sometimes they are mottled. The number in 

 a pod varies from one to twelve. Frequently there are only 

 one or two. Occasionally in their shape and markings they 

 resemble lady-birds. 



The flowers of Carmicliaelia, though small, are often very 

 dainty in appearance, and beautiful in colour and markings. 

 G. australis has tliick clusters of delicate lilac blossoms, striped 

 with darker lines, and possesses a sweet scent. Many of the 

 species are yet insufticiently known. 



The flowers of IIiMonella,Notos'partitmi, and CoralloHpartiii/m 

 are very similar to those of Garmichaelia. Both sj)ecies of 

 Notospartium are beautiful and graceful plants, now rare. 

 Corallospartium is one of the most remarkable plants of the 

 flora. Its long, yellow, coralloid, switch-like stems are almost 

 unique amongst flowering plants. 



