Flora of New Zealand Series

Prostrate herb, hairy or nearly glabrous, with rather close-set stems, often forming small mats. Petioles 0.5-3-(7) cm long. Lamina usually 3-10-(13) mm diam., suborbicular to reniform; upper surface usually glabrous or nearly so, sometimes hairy; lower surface glabrous or with appressed hairs; base cordate with narrow or wide sinus; apex rounded or emarginate. Peduncles < to a little > petioles. Bracts minute. Calyx 1-2 mm long. Corolla 3-8-(13) mm diam., usually much > calyx, sometimes = or slightly greater calyx, white or yellowish. Anthers yellowish. Capsule 2-4 mm diam., globose, hairy, = or > calyx.

N.; S.; St.

Probably endemic.

Coastal cliffs and slopes, usually in turf, and lowland to montane grassland, often in moist habitats.

FL Sep-Feb.

D. brevifolia is rather variable. One form probably merits recognition at sp. level; it differs from D. brevifolia sens. strict. in having lvs always glabrous above and glabrous or occasionally hairy below; the more conspicuous corolla is yellowish, c. 6-8 mm diam., and much > calyx. This entity is widespread in both main islands.