Phorminm .] 
VII. LILTACE®. 
287 
opinion of tliis ami the following being races of one plant; they seem, however, to be permanently 
distinct, and as they differ in distribution somewhat, and so much in appearance as to be uni- 
versally distinguished, I have thought it better to retain them as distinct, from Colenso’s 
notes both appear very variable as to colour of flower, from dark-red to yellow, and size, 
form, and twisting of the capsule ; but this is the coarser and less useful plant of the two. 
The synonymy of the two species, as given in the ‘ Flora of New Zealand , 5 has been altered 
to suit Mr. Golenso’s notes on Le Jolis 5 P. Cookianum, which he asserts to be his P. For- 
sterianum, and consequently the following species, to which, however, the name Forsterianum 
cannot be applied, as Forster’s plant is undoubtedly the P. tenax. 
2. P. Colemsoi, Hook. /., in Raoul, Choix. — P. tenax, fi, FI. N. Z. 
i. 256. Smaller in all its parts than P. tenax, and usually of a paler green. 
Leaves 2-3 ft. long, more acuminate, rarely split at the tip. Scapes 3-6 ft. high, 
usually green. Flowers l-FJ in. long ; inner segments of perianth acuminate, 
reflexed. Pod as in P. tenax, but smaller. — P. Forsterianum, Colenso ; P. 
Cookianum, Le Jolis. 
Northern and Middle Island, from the East Cape southwards, abundant, and often 
growing with P. tenax. 
Dr. Hector informs me of a third species or variety of Phormium, from the south-west 
coast, with short, almost globular capsules. 
9. HEEPOLIRION, Hook. f. 
Small alpine herbs, with wiry creeping stems, sending up short scapes 
clothed with linear leaves, sheathing at the base. Flower hermaphrodite, 
when in bud enclosed within 1—3 spathes or bracts. — Perianth tubular, cam- 
panulate, 6-partite ; leaflets linear, nearly equal. Stamens 6 ; filaments fili- 
form, glabrous or downy ; anthers twisted a little. Ovary 3-celled, oblong ; 
style filiform, stigma simple ; ovules numerous in each cell. Fruit ? 
A small genus of one Australian and Tasmanian alpine species, and the following. 
1. H. novse-Sielandise, Hook. f. FI. N. Z. i. 258. Leaves 1-2 in. 
long, spreading or recurved, narrow linear, acuminate, flat or longitudinally 
folded, striate, glaucous. Flowers waxy-wliite, tinged with blue in drying, 
almost sessile amongst the leaves, ■j— in. long ; bract or spathe solitary. Fi- 
laments pubescent. 
Northern Island : plains near Taupo, Colenso. Middle Island: swamps in the alps 
of Canterbury, of Nelson, Travers, Sinclair, Haast. This may prove the same with the 
Tasmanian plant. 
Order VIII. PALMEiE. 
Trees or shrubs, with simple, erect or climbing stems, or stemless. Leaves 
simple pinnate or palmately divided, with sheathing bases. Flowers 3-bracteate, 
sessile in panicled spikes ; panicles enclosed when young in one or more sheath- 
ing spathes, unisexual.- — Perianth inferior, of 6 thick, coriaceous or fleshy 
leaflets, in 2 series, valvate or contorted in bud. Stamens usually 6 ; anthers 
2-celled, versatile. Ovary 3-celled, or ovaries 3; stigmas 3, sessile; ovule 
1, rarely 2, erect in each cell. Fruit or berry 1-3-celled, or 1-3 drupes. 
