Flora of New Zealand Series

Type locality: Manukau Harbour. Type: Cheeseman n. 1721 to Schindler. Endemic.

Soft aquatic or semi-aquatic herb, the creeping and rooting stems giving off ∞ erect, us. simple, branches up to c. 10 cm. tall. Lvs opp., obovate, entire, obtuse, almost fleshy, c. 2 × 0·5 mm. Fls solitary in the axils of the upper lvs, each subtended by two linear to triangular bracteoles, unisexual; ♀ lower, sessile, lacking sepals, petals and stamens; ovary c. 0.6 mm. long, styles 4, divergent, stigmas plumose; ♂ uppermost, 2-4, the undeveloped ovary forming a short pedicel; sepals 0, petals 4, dark red, c. 2.5 mm. long, reflexed after anthesis; stamens 8; fr. dark red, c. 1 mm. long, deeply divided into 4 rounded mericarps, not tapered above, surface slightly rough.

DIST.: N., S., St., Ch. Us. on sandy substratum.

FL. 11-2. FT. 1-2.