Flora of New Zealand Series

L. campestris var. pallida Hook. f. Handbk N.Z. Fl.  1864,  292.

L. subclavata Col. in T.N.Z.I.  18,  1886,  276.

Type: K, woods, road to Aropaoanui, Hawke's Bay, W. Colenso 1068; WELT 12408 is from the same gathering.

Lvs us. ∞, often c. 5 mm. wide. Flowering stems (4)–15–30–(45) cm. long. Infl. of 1–3–(8) clusters, the central cluster larger, us. c. 10 mm. across, from almost triangular to ellipsoidal, other smaller clusters on flexuous peduncles 1–6–(8) cm. long; subtending bracts often much > central sessile head. Tepals lanceolate, acuminate, cream, membr., with a light brown central stripe. Capsule slightly < or occ. = tepals, greenish brown. 2n = 12.

DIST.: N. Southwards from c. lat. 36º. S. Local in Nelson and on the eastern side of the island; three gatherings from northern Fiordland.

Forest on lower mountain slopes to 1,200 m. altitude, descending to sea level in Southland.

L. subclavata. Type: K, dry woods, banks of River Mangawhaiiti, between Norsewood and Dannevirke, County of Waipawa, W. Colenso, 1885.

 Var. pallida is characterised by the pale cream fls in large clusters and by the long peduncles bearing the lateral clusters. The lvs are often more ∞ than in  var. picta and more often wider.