80 
XXIX. onagkariea:. 
[ Epilobium . 
num, which differs only in its large flowers ; extremely near E. covfertifolium, which creeps 
and has crowded leaves. Small states pass into E. alsinoides, and others into E. tetragonum. 
12. E. melanocaulon. Hook. 1c. PI. t. 813 ; — FI. N. Z. i. 60. Erect, 
6-12 in., rigid ; branches simple from a decumbent woody stem, terete, shining, 
black or dark-red, glabrous. Leaves crowded, mostly opposite, in. long, 
subpetioled, linear-oblong, obtuse, deeply lobed or sinuate-toothed, coriaceous, 
glabrous, often shining, yellow-red when dry. Flowers small, A- i in. diam., 
pink, sessile in the upper leaves ; ovaries short ; peduncles very short, rarely 
exceeding the leaves when fruiting. Capsules ^-1 in. long. 
Common in mountainous districts of the Northern and throughout the Middle Island : 
alt. 2-5000 ft. A very well-marked species, readily known, in its usual form, by its erect, 
rigid habit, dark stem and branches, very numerous, crowded, small, coriaceous leaves and 
short, sessile ovaries. States of it are difficult to separate from E. confertfolium, glabellum, 
and brevipes. 
13. E. tetragonum, Linn. ; — FI. N. Z. i. 60. Stems robust, erect or 
with a very short decumbent base, 12-18 in. high, stout, terete or 4-gonous, 
glabrous or puberulous. Leaves opposite, 1-2 in. long, sessile or semiamplexi- 
caul, broadly oblong or obovate-oblong, obtuse, irregularly toothed, glabrous, 
rather membranous, never shining, green. Flowers rather small, in. diam., 
pink, very numerous towards the ends of the branches ; peduncles shorter 
than the leaves, scarcely lengthening in fruit. Capsules 1-2 in. long, hoary. 
Northern and Middle Islands: not uncommon in moist places. A common plant in 
the temperate regions of both hemispheres, very variable, distinguished by the small flowers 
and sessile or semiamplexieaul leaves, but states of it are difficult to distinguish from E. Bil- 
lardierianum , junceum, and pubens. 
14. E. junceum, Font. ; — FI. N. Z i. 60. Erect, very pubescent or to - 
mentose, rather rigid, leafy ; stem stout, decumbent and rather woody at the 
base ; branches stout or slender, 4-24 in. high, terete, often proliferous at 
the axils of the leaves. Leaves narrow, very variable, 1-3 in. long, alter- 
nate and opposite, sessile, the upper gradually smaller, linear-oblong, sinuate- 
toothed or nearly entire, narrowed or not at the base, usually pubescent on 
both surfaces. Flowers copiously produced towards the ends of the branches, 
rather small, A_i in. diam., purple ; peduncles generally shorter than the 
leaves, lengthening in fruit. Capsules pubescent, 1-3 in. long. — E. cinereym, 
A. llich. ; E. virgatum, confertum, hirtigerum, and incanum , A. Cunn. 
Abundant throughout the islands, Banks and Solander , etc. Abundant in Tasmania, Aus- 
tralia, and South Chili, passing into E. tetragonum aud glabellum. 
15. E. pubens, A. Rich. Flor. 329. t. 36; — FI. N. Z. i. 61. Stems 
erect from a woody decumbent base, 6-24 in. high, simple or branched ; 
branches terete, pubescent, leafy, often proliferous at the axils. Leaves almost 
always alternate, long-petioled, ovate-oblong, obtuse, rather sharply toothed, 
membranous, pubescent on both surfaces, the upper gradually smaller. 
Flowers numerous towards the ends of the branches, | in. diam., white 
pink or purplish ; peduncles of both flower and fruit always shorter than the 
leaves. Capsules pubescent, 1-2 in. long. — E. liulorugifolium, A. Cunn. 
Abundant on dry hills, etc., throughout the islands. Banks and Solander, etc. One of the 
most distinct species of the genus, at once known by its erect stems, slender petioles, and 
usually alternate, ovate-oblong, obtuse leaves, etc. ; it is allied to the Europeau E. roseum. 
