Flora of New Zealand Series

P. tristis Col. in T.N.Z.I.  18,  1886,  271.

Type locality: Vicinity of Port Jackson, N.S.W. Recorded also from all other Australian States.

Plant small, c. 2–10 cm. tall at fl. Stem ± hidden by lfy bracts. Rosette lvs ∞, c. 5–15 × 3–10 mm.; lamina almost rhombic, not clearly distinct from broadly winged petiole, firm-textured, sts alveolate, bluish or yellowish green or brownish; cauline lvs smaller, sheathing. Fls (1)–2–6, each with a sheathing floral bract; per. greenish or brownish with pale stripes. Dorsal sepal 5–10 mm. tall, broad, apiculate; lateral sepals little shorter, almost completely connate into a flat lamina bidentate at tip, strongly deflexed in fully open fl. Petals shorter than dorsal sepal, the anterior margin minutely denticulate. Labellum short, broad, obtuse, produced backwards into a smoothly rounded appendage with a low median ridge. Column short, broad; wings broader than long, ciliate over most of their free margins; stigma broadly oval.

DIST.: N., Volcanic Plateau to Hawke's Bay. S., east of the main divide from about the Hurunui River southwards. St. D. Poppelwell.

Shingly open places as on river terraces in tussock grassland.

FL. 10–1.

P. tristis Col. from "Open turfy spots, flat lands, south bank of the River Waipawa: 1885: Mr. H. Hill" is represented by WELT 24284 in Herb. Colenso. Colenso's label reads "Pt. tristis from Mr Hill Decr. 1885 attached to tubers to be planted". This appears to be the holotype.