'^94 PLANTS OP NEW ZEALAND 



produces fruit more abundantly than eitlier of the other forms. 

 This makes it probable that forms with short stj'les are not 

 self-pollinated. However, the evidence on the pomt is 

 unsatisfactory. Kirk failed to find fruit in any quantity 

 on F. procumhens, and explained its absence by the statement 

 that the three types of F.'procnmbens wei'e not growing in the 

 same district ; but Dr. Cockayne informs us that it fruits as 

 readily as the other species. Obviously, a full explanation of 

 the characteristics of this flower has yet to be given. 



The timber of F. excorficata is heavy, and difficult to work, 

 but very strong and durable. 



Fuchsia excorticata (The Tree Fuchsia). 



A shrub or tree, 10 ft. -45 ft. in height. Leaves IJin.-iin. long, sUvery 

 beneath, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, acute, obscurely toothed. Flowers 

 drooping, J in.-l in. long. Calyx dark-purple ; petals red-purple. Pollen-grains 

 blue. Berry oblong. Both islands; Stewart Island. Fl, Aug. -Dec. Maori 

 name Kotukutuku or KohiUuhiotu-, and of the fruit, Konini. 



Fuchsia Colensoi [Colenso's Fuchsia). 



A smaller species, often not more than 1 ft. in height. Petals minute. 

 Prom the Waikato to Stewart Island, Fl. Oct.-Feb. 



Fuchsia procumbens (The Prostrate Fuchsia). 



A slender, prostrate plant, 6 in. -18 in. long. Leaves ovate or cordate, 

 \ in.-^in, long. Flowers ^in.-4 in long, solitary, axillary, erect. Petals 0. Berry 

 shining, pale-red. Auckland : sandy or rocky places. Fl. Nov. -Feb. (Often 

 called by the synonym F. Kirkii). 



Geiiu.s Epilohiuiit. 



Herbs, rarely woody. Leaves opposite or alternate. Flowers in axillary or 

 terminal spikes or racemes. Sepals 4, petals 4, stamens 8. Fruit a 4-valvcd 

 capsule. Seeds crowned with tufts of white hairs. New Zealand possesses about 

 H2 species, 27 of which are endemic. (Name from the Greek meaning iipmi a pod, 

 in j'cference to the position of the flower). 



The genus Epihbium has been recently monograplied by 

 Prof. Hausskneclit of Jena. There are about 1(30 species, 

 chiefly in temperate and arctic regions. The English species 



