Page:Manual of the New Zealand Flora.djvu/181

Tillæa.

2. T. Helmsii, T. Kirk, Students Fl. 142.—Stems numerous, often forming large intricate patches, slender, 2–6 in. long, prostrate at the base, ascending above, green or reddish-green. Leaves rather distant, $1⁄8$–$1⁄5$ in. long, linear, acute. Flowers $1⁄12$–$1⁄10$ in. diam., axillary, solitary, on peduncles shorter than the leaves. Calyx deeply 4-lobed; lobes ovate, acute. Petals a third longer than the calyx, ovate-oblong, subacute. Scales 1 at the back of each carpel, narrow linear-cuneate. Carpels 4, turgid, about as long as the calyx; styles short, recurved. Seeds 3–5.

3. T. diffusa, ''T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst.'' xxiv. (1892) 424.—A slender much-branched matted plant forming broad reddish patches. Stems filiform, erect or prostrate, 1–3 in. long. Leaves in distant pairs, fleshy, connate at the base, $1⁄12$–$1⁄8$ in. long, linear-oblong, obtuse, concave above, convex beneath. Flowers minute, about $1⁄15$ in. diam., solitary, on very short axillary peduncles. Calyx-lobes 4, broadly oblong, obtuse. Petals equalling the calyx-lobes or rather longer, broadly oblong, obtuse. Scales 4, cuneate. Carpels ovoid; styles recurved. Seeds 2–4.—Students' Fl. 144.

{{smaller block|{{sc|North Island:}} Miramar, Port Nicholson, Kirk! {{sc|Stewart Island:}} Kirk!

Mr. Kirk states that the scales are absent; but I find them to be constantly present, although difficult to detect except in young flowers.

4. T. Sinclairii, ''Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl.'' 62.—A minute delicate creeping or erect usually matted plant, rarely more than 1 in. high except when growing in water, when the stems are often elongated, and the leaves larger. Leaves minute, closely placed or distant, connate at the base, $1⁄20$–$1⁄12$ in. long, linear or linear-oblong, acute or subacute, concave above, convex or almost keeled beneath. Flowers on short or long axillary peduncles, minute, $1⁄15$–$1⁄12$ diam., white. Calyx-lobes ovate-oblong, obtuse. Petals about twice as long as the calyx-lobes, oblong, obtuse. Scales 4, {{hws|linear|linear-cuneate}}