Flora of New Zealand Series

Urtica debilis Endl. Prodr. Fl. norf. 1833, 37.

Type: P, Forster no. 204.

Diffuse annual, sparsely pubescent, flaccid herb; branches slender, weak, hardened at base, up to 3 dm. or more long. Lvs membr., thin or sts subsucculent in coastal forms, 1-4 × 1-2.5 cm., on almost filiform petioles up to 3 cm. long, us. with accessory smaller lvs; lamina broad-to rhomboid-ovate with cuneate base, obtuse to obtusely attenuate at apex. Cymes congested, 2-8-fld; bracts linear; per.-segs ± pilose, pistillate enlarged in fr. Achenes 1-1·5 mm. long, ovoid, dark brown, glossy.

DIST.: K., N., S., Ch. Coastal and lowland light forest, forest margins and open shrubland throughout.