Galium propinquum A.Cunn.
G. umbrosum Sol. in Forst. f. Prodr. 1786, 89, nomen nudum.
Type locality: "Shaded woods Wangaroa". Type: K, R. Cunningham, 1833.
Small, prostrate to ascending; stems weak, branched, seldom > 2 dm. long, occ. wiry; branches and branchlets ± ciliate on angles. Lvs and stipules ± patent, in rather distant whorls of 4, on petioles < 1 mm. long Lamina us. with pellucid dots, glab. or ciliolate, 2.5-5-(10) × 2-3-(4) mm., broad- to elliptic-oblong, acute, sts apiculate or awned, abruptly rounded to base. Fls 1-1·5 mm. diam., axillary, solitary on filiform peduncles ± 5-8 mm. long, nodding in fr., or 2-3 on very short, sts branched, pedicels. Corolla white, tube minute. Fr. of 2 subglobose, minutely rugulose cocci c. 1-1·5 mm. diam.
DIST.: N., S., St., Ruapuke Id. From near North Cape southwards, in similar habitats to those of G. tenuicaule.
Somewhat more polymorphic than G. tenuicaule. Hooker (Fl. N.Z. 1, 1853, 11 3) described 3 vars: " Var. α elongata; laxe ramosa, caule foliisque laxe ciliates. Var. ß glabrata; laxe ramosa, caule foliisque glaberrimis. Var. γ. hispidula; parvula, caule robusto ramosa folioso foliisque longe ciliato-pilosis." Of var. γ he says, "In dry and alpine situations." He considered the sp. annual, but in my garden it persisted for 3 years. In the Handbook, 1864, 121 he makes no reference to varietal forms.
Colenso (T.N.Z.I. 16, 1884, 332) based his G. erythrocaulon on specimens collected on "Stony declivities, skirts of dry woods between Norsewood and Danneverke . . . 1879-1882: W. C." The description includes: "Plant small, tender, caespitose, usually 3-5 inches high, simply branched at base; stems below and rootlets bright red and naked. Leaves very small . . . sub-rotund-elliptic, 1/2-11/2 lines long, 1 line broad or less . . . hairy on both sides, largely and distantly ciliate". The type specimens, in W, still show red colouring on some of the stems.
