Var. plano-petiolata.
Stems glab. or with sparse spreading hairs. Lf-laminae oblong-spathulate to ovate-oblong, 1·5-3 mm. wide, gradually narrowed into petiole. Pedicels and calyx glab.
DIST.: S. Mountains above Wilkin Valley, Hector's Col and Matukituki Valley; Mt. Earnslaw; Mt. McPherson.
Simpson and Thomson (loc. cit.) give a full description of V. muelleri Buchan. from material collected at the type locality (BD 23767, 56566, 56567), pointing out some inaccuracies in Buchanan's description and figure, and then describe their V. plano-petiolata as differing "by its reddish, sparsely pilose stems, its dark green or reddish leaves, widish flattened petioles, white flowers, and short, pilose calyx." Only meagre flowerless material is available for a type and this gives no support for maintaining two separate spp. or even vars. For purposes of priority the epithet muelleri dates only from 1944 when it was published under Parahebe, so the two spp. must be united under the earlier plano-petiolata.
