Colobanthus. | CARYOPHYLLACEAE. 427 
11. ©. Buehanani 7. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii (1895) 358, 
t. 27p.—Apparently a laxly tufted plant 2-3 in. high, with slender erect 
stems. Leaves not imbricating, loosely spreading, }-31n. long, linear- 
subulate, sheathing at the base, membranous, concave above, convex below, 
gradually narrowed into short acicular points. Peduncles axillary, slender, 
usually rather longer than the leaves. Flowers $-j1in. long. Sepals 5, 
linear-subulate, acuminate, } as long again as the short capsule.—Students’ 
Fl. (1899) 62; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. (1906) 69. 
Soutn Istanp : Otago—Manuherikia Valley, Buchanan ! 
A most distinct plant, of which I have only seen three imperfect specimens. 
The slender stems, loosely spreading membranous leaves, and axillary peduncles 
give it a very different aspect from that of any other New Zealand species. 
4, SPERGULARIA Pers. 1@/% . 
Spreading or prostrate herbs. Leaves linear or setaceous, often with 
smaller ones fascicled in the axils so as to appear verticillate. Stipules 
small, scarious. Flowers white or pink, pedicelled, in subracemose cymes. 
Sepals 5. Petals 5, entire, rarely wanting. Stamens 10 or fewer by 
abortion. Ovary 1-celled, many-ovuled; styles 3. Capsules 3-valved ; 
seeds compressed, often winged. 
A genus of 5 or 6 species, widely spread in temperate or subtropical regions, chiefly 
near the sea-coast or in saline localities. The single New Zealand species has a very 
extensive range. | ; 
a 
Ls: medid/ Pies! Fl. Sic. (1826) 17.—A rather succulent much-branched 
prostrate or stl erect herb, more or less viscid-pubescent ; stems 2-6 in. 
long. Leaves narrow-linnear, semi-terete, 4-1 in. long, fleshy, quite entire, 
acute; stipules broadly ovate, acuminate, conspicuous. Flowers many, 
axillary and terminal, on*slender glandular peduncles $—1 in. long. Sepals 
lanceolate, with a broad white membranous border. Petals usually shorter 
‘than the sepals. Capsule exceeding the sepals. Seeds more or less flattened, 
often surrounded by a broad membranous wing.—T. Kirk Students’ Fl. 
(1899) 63; Cheesem. Man. N.Z. Fl. (1906) 70. 8. rubra var. marina 
Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. (1864) 25. Arenaria media Linn, Sp. Plant. 
(1753) 606; A. Ounn. Precur. (1839) n. 609; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel.1 
(1853) 26. 
NortH anp SoutH IstANbs, Stewart Istanp: Common on the coast, from the 
Three Kings Islands and the Norch Cape southwards. October—February. An 
abundant plant near the sea in many parts of the world. 
The allied species S. rubra Presl, which has more slender and flatter leaves, smaller 
flowers, and seeds not so conspicuously margined, is naturalized in several places in both 
the North and South Islands, but is usually found in inland localities. 
5, HECTORELLA Hook. f. 1¥t+4 
A small densely tufted glabrous perennial. Leaves small, densely 
imbricated, coriaceous, entire. Flowers almost sessile amongst the uppermost 
leaves. Sepals 2, short, truncate. Petals 5, connate at the base, thickened 
below the tip. Stamens 5, inserted on the tube of the corolla, and alternate 
with the petals; anthers linear-oblong. Ovary free; ovules 4-5, erect 
from the base of the cell ; funicles slender ; style erect ; stigmas 1-3, linear, 
papillose. Capsule membranous, equalling the sepals ; seeds 2-4. 
A monotypic genus confined to New Zealand ; not closely allied to any other. 
