Flora of New Zealand Series

C. petiolata var. cordatifolia (Buchan.) Kirk Stud. Fl. 1899, 286.

Type: Buchanan (loc. cit.) says, "Collected by Mr. A. McKay, January, 1879 on Mount Starvation, Nelson." I have been unable to locate the type specimen, so that until it is found Buchanan's excellent fig. (T.N.Z.I. 11, t. 18 opp. p. 428) may be treated as the type.

Tufted herb with lf-sheaths densely imbricate around stem. Lamina plicate, coriac., ± 9-12 × 4-5 cm., elliptic- to broad ovate-oblong; upper surface glab. or with scattered sparse hairs, dull green, midrib and main veins ± distinct; lower surface densely clad in felted velvety ferruginous tomentum; apex obtuse to subacute, base cordate with rather narrow sinus; margins recurved, entire, ± sinuate. Petiole stout, up to ± 12 cm. long, densely clad in floccose ferruginous hairs, gradually widening into sheath up to c. 8 cm. long. Scape stout, up to 30 cm. long, clad in ferruginous tomentum; bracts linear, with deciduous tomentum. Capitula ± 4-5 cm. diam.; phyll. ∞, linear, up to ± 15 mm. long, clad in spreading ferruginous hairs in upper half, midrib evident. Ray-florets c. 20 mm. long, base thickened, limb linear, 3-toothed, veins evident. Disk-florets narrow-funnelform, c. 8 mm. long, teeth triangular. Achenes narrow-cylindric, glab., very strongly ribbed. Pappus-hairs up to 7 mm. long, sordid-white to rufous, very finely barbellate.

DIST.: S. Montane to subalpine shaded damp places in herbfield and on peat overlying rock-Mounts Starveall, Fishtail, Rentoul, Patriarch, Duppa.