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2. V. Dieffenbachii, Benth. in D.C. Prodr. x. 459.—A robust much-branched shrub; branches widely divaricating, 2–5 ft. long or more; branchlets stout, green, terete, ⅙–¼ in. diam., glabrous or puberulous. Leaves spreading, often recurved, sessile and semiamplexicaul, 2–4 in. long, ½–1 in. broad, linear-oblong, rarely broader and almost oblong, acute or subacute, coriaceous or almost fleshy, pale-green, midrib stout, prominent beneath, lateral veins very indistinct, margins slightly recurved when fresh. Racemes pedunculate, suberect, exceeding the leaves, 2½–5 in. long, ¾–1 in. diam., dense-flowered; rhachis stout; pedicels spreading, $1⁄10$–$1⁄8$ in. long, with a minute subulate bract at the base. Flowers ¼ in. diam., usually lilac-purple. Calyx small, 4-partite; segments ovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, acute, ciliolate. Corolla-tube funnel-shaped, exceeding the calyx; limb 4-lobed; dorsal and lateral lobes broadly oblong, anterior narrower. Capsule ⅕–¼ in. long, ovate, acute, glabrous, about 2½ times as long as the calyx.—''Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 191; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 206; Bot. Mag. t. 7656; Armstr. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiii. (1881) 351; Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 531; Gard. Chron.'' ii. (1898) p. 154, t. 41. V. Forsteri, ''F. Muell. Veg. Chat. Is.'' 46 (in part).

3. V. Barkeri, Cockayne in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxi. (1899) 421.—A stout branching shrub; branches erect, not divaricating, terete, the younger ones brownish-purple. Leaves spreading, sessile, 2 in.