Page:Manual of the New Zealand Flora.djvu/593

Euphrasia.]

1. E. cuneata, Forst. Prodr. n. 234.—Perennial, 6–30 in. high or even more; stems erect or decumbent, firm, sometimes almost woody at the base, usually much branched and often excessively so, rarely simple; branches slender, virgate, leafy, puberulous or rarely almost glabrous. Leaves variable in size and shape, ⅕–⅔ in. long, broad or narrow obovate-cuneate, rounded at the tip, narrowed at the base into a distinct petiole of variable length, coriaceous, glabrous, with 1–3 more or less distinct notches on each side, rarely entire; margins flat, not recurved. Flowers usually very numerous, in large specimens from the repeated branching of the flowering stems and the reduction of the upper leaves to bracts forming a quasi-paniculate inflorescence, in smaller forms spicate; peduncles shorter than the calyx. Calyx small, narrow, 4-lobed; lobes obtuse, shorter than the tube. Corolla large, ½–¾ in. long, white with a yellow eye, sometimes with purplish streaks, pilose externally; upper lip 2-lobed, lobes emarginate; lower lip 3-lobed. Capsule linear-cuneate, emarginate, hairy or at length glabrous, exceeding the calyx. Seeds numerous, elongate.—''A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 191; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 384; Raoul, Choix, 43; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 199; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 219; Wettst. Monog. Euphr.'' 247, t. v. f. 369-374, and t. xiv. f. 1. E. tricolor, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 264.

From the East Cape and Taupo southwards to Cook Strait, not uncommon. Has been recorded from several stations from Nelson to Otago, but I have seen no specimens which I can refer to it. Sea-level to 4500 ft. December–March.

A distinct species, well marked by the large size, much-branched perennial habit, cuneate leaves narrowed into a distinct petiole, large pedicelled flowers, and long narrow capsule. There seems to be two main varieties—one tall and slender, with numerous leafy branches, narrow long-petioled leaves, and copious inflorescence; the other, which is principally montane or subalpine, and which