Flora of New Zealand Series

Brathys forsteri Spach in Ann. Sci. nat. Sér. 2, 5, 1836, 367.

Type locality: New Caledonia. Also Australia and Tasmania.

Rather strict glab. perennial up to ± 25 cm. tall; stems us. branched from base, 4-angled. Lvs in distant sessile pairs, (5)-10-15-(20) × (2)-4-5-(7) mm., ascending, lanceolate-oblong to oblong, subcordate at subamplexicaul base, obtuse to subacute; margins ± revolute. Fls in terminal few-fld trichotomous cymes (occ. solitary) 8-12 mm. diam. Bracts ± foliaceous. Sepals about ovate, subacute to obtuse, up to c. 5 mm. long; petals golden yellow, up to c. 9 mm. long; styles 3; stamens free or nearly so. Capsule ovoid, acute, 1-celled, 3-valved, ± 6 mm. long.

DIST.: N., S. Lowland to montane grassland and open ground from lat. 35° to 46° 30'; rare north at lat. 39°.

FL. 10-4. FT. 11-6.