2(36 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



A small tree, most abundant in the bush, growing t(3 a 

 height of 30 ft., with a rounded head, and many short, brittle 

 branches. It sends up a large number of young saplings, or 

 suckers, from the ground at the foot of the trunk. The leaves 

 are alternate, with toothed margins, and the flowers are 

 produced, either in the axils of the leaves, or upon the bare 

 branches. The male and female flowers are found upon 

 separate trees. The fruit is a violet coloured berry, containing 

 black, angular seeds, and is a favourite food of the wild pigeon. 

 Though so much smaller than many of the forest trees, the 

 mahoe is a noticeable object in the bush, as its straight, thin 

 trunks are often covered with a white fungoid growth, which 

 is like a coating of whitewash. This was one of the woods 

 used bjr the natives, in the nraking of fire by friction. In the 

 South the plant is generally known as the Ird-Ini, in the 

 North it is called the Mahoe. On Banks Peninsula it is some- 

 times called the Gow-leqf, as cows are very fond of its foliage. 



Genus Hymenantliera. 



A small genus of woody shrubs, found in New Zealand, New South Wales, 

 Tasmania and Norfolk Island. The foliage differs considerably in the different 

 species. The leaves may be toothed or entire, fascicled or alternate ; the flowers 

 solitary or fascicled. Name from the Greek, signifying nnited anthers. 



Hymenanthepa cnassifolia {The Thick-leaved Hymenayithera). 



A low shrub, with rigid, twisted branches, and white bark. The flowers are 

 small and axillary ; the berries purple and white, j in. in diameter. Maritime 

 rocks in both islands, and up to 2,000 ft. near the coast. PI. Oct. -Dec. 



This j)lant frequently forms a dense cushion of short rigid spinous branches, 

 closely appressed to a rock or stone. The berries and flowers are produced on the 

 underside of the branches, and are completely invisible from above. 



