Page:Manual of the New Zealand Flora.djvu/733

Corysanthes.]

1. C. Cheesemanii, Hook. f. ex T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. iii. (1871) 180.—A very small species, ½–1 in. high when in flower, rarely more. Leaf sessile, ¼–½ in. long, ovate-cordate or orbicular-cordate, apiculate, membranous, veins conspicuous when dry. Flower sessile or shortly peduncled, about ⅝ in. long, dull-purple; bract short, sheathing. Upper sepal very large, helmet-shaped, curved over the lip, obtuse. Lateral sepals minute, subulate, erect, placed between the basal spurs of the lip. Petals frequently wanting, when present very minute, deflexed, placed under or behind the basal spurs of the lip. Lip very large, tubular, the margins involute and meeting behind the column and enclosing it, the base produced downwards on each side into a short conical spur; the mouth expanded and abruptly recurved; margins entire. Column short, stout, erect, with a large fleshy gland at the base. Anther terminal, very large. Capsule ⅓ in. long, linear-oblong, elevated on the greatly elongated peduncle, which is sometimes over 6 in. long.—''Ic. Plant.'' t. 1120.

{{smaller block|{[sc|North Island:}} Auckland—Kaitaia, R. H. Matthews! vicinity of Auckland, T.F.C. Near Westport, W. Townson! June–July.

A very curious little plant, probably not uncommon, but easily overlooked, from its small size and early flowering-period. It is very closely allied to the. Australian C. bicalcarata, and may prove identical with it.}}

2. C. Matthewsii, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxi. (1899) 351.—Small, delicate, ¾–1½ in. high. Leaf sessile, ½–1 in. long, ovate-cordate or orbicular-cordate, acute or obtuse, membranous, when dry, showing 1 or 2 circular veins on each side of the midrib connected by transverse veinlets. Flower shortly peduncled, aoout ⅓ in. long, horizontal or drooping, purplish-green; bract small, erect. Upper sepal very narrow at the base, broadened above and