Flora of New Zealand Series

Mitrasacme cheesemanii Buchan. in T.N.Z.I. 14, 1882, 348, t. 29, f. 2.

Veronica quadrifaria Kirk in T.N.Z.I. 28, 1896, 521 non V. cheesemanii Benth.

Type locality: "Mt. Alta, 5000 feet alt." Type: OM in Herb. Buchanan, the piece figured quite recognizable. Not recently recorded as far south as type locality.

Shrub to 30 cm. tall, woody base occ. 7 cm. diam. Lfy twigs mostly 1·5-2 mm. diam., tetragonous but not or scarcely grooved. Lvs erect, very closely appressed, c. 1 × 1·5 mm., broad-ovate above the broad base, concave, abaxial surface rounded with faint keel towards acute tip; marginal cilia close, short and stiff. Infls c. 5 mm. long; peduncle > lvs in fr. Fls us. in 2 pairs, sessile. Bracts c. 1 mm. long, broad, concave. Calyx-lobes c. 1-1·5 mm., oblong and ± cucullate. Corolla-tube < calyx, lobes rounded, > tube. Capsule c. 1·7 mm. long, orbicular in outline.

DIST.: S. East of main divide. Rocks on drier mountains.

FL. 12-1.