S64 RUBIACEAE. [Coprosma. 
apiculate, abruptly narrowed into short hairy petioles, thin and mem- 
branous, flat, glabrous or nearly so above, usually pubescent on the veins 
beneath; veins forming large areoles. Flowers axillary, solitary or in 
2-4-flowered fascicles. Male flowers: True calyx wanting, but 1 or 2 
calycine involucels closely invest the base of the corolla. Corolla broadly 
campanulate, Lin. long, deeply 4-5-lobed. Female flowers: Solitary or 2 
together, -,in. long. Calyx truncate or obscurely 4-toothed. Corolla 
narrow funnel-shaped, shortly 4-lobed. Drupe globose, gin. diam., black 
or nearly so when fully ripe—T. Kirk Students’ #1. (1899) 235; Cheesem. 
Man. N.Z. Fl. (1906) 252; Jil. N.Z. Fl. i (1914) t. 81—C. multiflora Col. 
in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxi (1889) 86. 
NortH anp Soura Isntanps: Not uncommon in lowland forests throughout. 
Sea-level to 1500 ft. Septem ber—October. os 
The fastigiate habit makes this species easy of recogniticn. Its nearest ally is 
C'. tenuicaulis, which is separated by its smaller size, spreading branches, dark-coloured 
bark, more glabrous leaves and branchlets, and smaller and more coriaceous leaves. 
The lengthened period that this species requires for the ripening of its fruit is peculiar. 
Most of the lowland species flower in early spring—that is, from the middle of August 
to the middle of October, according to the species, the fruit maturing during the following 
autumn, usually in April and May. C. aeolata, however, departs from this rule. It 
flowers at the usual time, which in the North Island is in the month of September or 
beginning of October; but the fruit is not mature until the December of the following 
year, or not until after the lapse of fifteen months. On the same tree can be seen 
perfectly ripe fruit and immature berries which will not ripen until the following 
December. 
16. C. tenuicaulis Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i (1853) 106—A much-branched 
shrub 4-8ft. high: bark purplish-brown; branches slender, spreading, 
often interlaced, young ones finely puberulous. Leaves }-}in. long, rarely 
more, orbicular- or ovate-spathulate, rounded at the apex, obtuse or subacute, 
abruptly narrowed into a short flat petiole, somewhat coriaceous, flat, 
giabrous on both surfaces; veins reticulated in large areoles. Flowers 
-axillary, solitary or in 2-3-flowered fascicles, involucellate. Male flowers: 
Calyx wanting. Corolla campanulate, $4in. long, 4-5-lobed. Female 
flowers smaller and shorter. Calyx-limb truncate. Corolla tubular, 3-5- 
lobed. Drupe globose or depressed, $in. diam., shining-black.— Handb. 
N.Z. Fl. (1864) 115; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix (1887) 239; T. Kirk 
Students’ Fl. (1899) 236; Cheesem. Man, N.Z. Pi. (1906) 252. 
Var. major Cheesem.— Leaves much larger and more membranous, }-1}in. long; 
blade orbicular, suddenly narrowed into a long flat peticle often equalling the blade. 
Flowers and fruit apparently as in the type. Perhaps a distinct species. 
Nort Isnanp: Abundant in marshy forests or open turfy swamps from the North 
Cape to Hawke’s Bay and south Taranaki. Sourn Istanp: Marlborough—Pelorus 
Valley, Cockayne! Tuamarina Swamp, near Blenheim, J. H. Macmahon! Nelson— 
Vicinity of Westport, Petrie! Westland—Near Ross, Cockayne/ Var. major: 
Mongonui County, Lower Waikato, H. Carse / Sea-level to 1000 ft. Septem ber— 
October. TT: 4. 
17. €. rhamnoides A. Ounn. Precur. (1838) n. 474.—A small densely 
branched shrub 2-6ft. high; bark reddish-brown, uneven; branches 
numerous, spreading, often rigid and interlaced when growing in exposed 
places; young shoots more or less clothed with a short white pubescence. 
Leaves 4-#in. long, }-4in. broad, very variable in shape and texture, 
