 PANAX SIMPLEX, Porster. 
THE HAUMAKOROA. 
Orpen AR A LIAC BIE. 
(Plates CVI. and CVII.) 
Panax simpcex, like some other species of this genus, develops very difierent 
forms of foliage at different stages of growth and in different situations, so that 
it is frequently a source of perplexity to the collector who has not become 
familiar with its varying forms. It varies from a shrub 5ft. or Oft. high to a 
small tree fully 25ft. high, with a well-defined trunk, and in its mature state is 
easily recognised: although some forms of P. Edgerleyi closely resemble large 
forms of P. simplex, the two plants may be readily distinguished by the number 
of styles, P. Edgerleyi having three and P. simplex two only. In some mountain 
districts small forms of P. simplex make a close approach to P. anomalum, which 
has two styles also, but the branches are clothed with bristly hairs while those 
of P. simplex are smooth. 
In the young state it exhibits two forms so widely different from each other 
that it is difficult to believe that they can belong to the same plant. In 
the first, which appears to be the usual form in the South Island, the plant 
is singularly graceful; the leaves are compound (Pl. CVI., Fig. 1), and are 
composed of five leaflets, of thin texture, and usually of a bronzed hue, which 
spring from the apex of a long slender leaf-stalk, and are deeply and irregularly 
lobed or toothed. The second form (Pl. CVI., Fig. 2) has broad entire green 
leaves with toothed margins, which approach those of the mature state in general 
appearance; or, rarely, the leaves may consist of three entire leaflets springing 
from a short petiole: this is stated by Sir Joseph Hooker to be the only form 
of the young plant found on the Auckland Islands; it is also the prevalent form 
on Stewart Island, but the lobulate form occurs there also. 
The forin with lobulate leaflets may develop leaves with three flat entire 
leaflets (PI. CVII., Fig. 3), which are succeeded by the leaves of the ordinary 
mature state accompanying flowers and fruit (Pl. CVII., Figs. 1 and 2); 
or the five lobulate leaflets may be reduced to three and diminished in length, 
with broader lobes, finally assuming the’ form of simple linear leaves deeply 
lobed or toothed, but never entire,—in this state producing small umbels of 
flowers and fruit (P]. CVI., Fig. 2). Fruiting specimens are, howeyer, some- 
what rare in this state. 
The leaves of the ordinary mature state are alternate, from Iin. to 5in. long, 
acute, jointed to slender petioles, and the margins are sharply toothed. The 
flowers are arranged in much-branched umbels, which spring from the axils of 
the leaves or from the tips of the branches, and are usually shorter than the 
leaves: the terminal portion of the umbel consists of female, the lateral portion 
of male, flowers: the secondary umbels consist of from eight to twelve flowers, 
carried on pedicels less than fin. long. The male flowers have five free petals 
and five stamens: the female are destitute of petals and stamens: the ovary is 
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