270 ASCARINA LUCIDA. 
the Bay of Islands and Whangarei, and the head of the Wairarape : 
the North Island. In the South Island it has been found in the Distri 
Nelson, Westland, and Otago, as far south as Puysegur Point. 
The only inland habitat in which it has been found is the heac 
Wairarapa Valley, where three or four small trees were discovered M 
Colenso many years ago. One or two specimens haye been foun din 4 th 
Titirangi district, but not far from the sea. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Ascarina lucida, Hook. f. 
A. lanceolata, Hook. f. : 
A much-branched dicecious evergreen shrub or small tree, roft. to asft. higl 
Branchlets grooved, blackish-purple in colour. Stipules interpetiolar, with 
subulate teeth. Leaves opposite, Iin. to 3in. long, glabrous, shining, © oblong o 
oblong-lanceolate or lanceolate, sharply or obtusely serrate, usually ¢ 
acuminate; petioles slender. Flowers spicate, in axillary or terminal pa 
with opposite branches tin. to 14in. long; perianth, none. Male anthe: 
sessile in the axil of a small bract. Ifemale panicle large; ovary ovoid, : 
one-celled; stigma sessile. Fruit, a small drupe, one-seeded. L 
EXPLANATION OF PLateE CXXIX. ,; 
Ascarina lucida, Hook. f. Female flowering specimen, natural s 
1. Panicle of female flower. 2. Portion of a fannie spike; drawn from \ 
land specimens. 3. Panicle of male flowers. 4. Portion of a ae 
5. A male flower, detached; drawn from a Kermadec Island ;: specimen. 
6. Portion of a branchlet, eerie the stipules. 
