Flora of New Zealand Series

Gingidium dieffenbachii F. Muell. Veg. Chath. Is 1864, 17, t. 1.

Ligusticum dieffenbachii Hook, f. Handbk N.Z. Fl 1867, 729.

Angelica dieffenbachii Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Pl. 1, 1867, 916.

Aciphylla dieffenbachii Kirk Stud. Fl. 1899, 211.

Type: K, "35 Gingidium Dieffenbachii. F. Muell. Chath. Is. Travers." This consists of a lf and a partial infl.

Glab. perennial herb with very stout deeply descending taproot. Flowering stem erect, up to c. 1 m. tall and 4 cm. diam. Lvs up to c. 6 dm. long, including sheathing petiole with 2 delicate blunt lobes. Lamina ± 15-30 × 10-20 cm. Primary pinnae 4-5 pairs, segs up to 8 cm. × 3 mm., linear, ± flaccid, bluntly mucronate. Infl. of several umbels, subpaniculately arranged, on stout peduncles c. 5-10-(15) cm. long. Primary bracts with broad base and pinnatisect lamina. Male umbels slender, with up to 15 rays ± 1 cm. long. Female umbels with 3-6 rays. Involucral bracts few, linear-lanceolate, acuminate. ♂ with distinct triangular acute calyx-teeth; petals oblong to ovate-oblong, ± 2 mm. long, inflexed. ♀ with distinct narrow-triangular, subacute calyx-teeth; petals c. 1·5 mm. long, obovate, inflexed. Fr. ± 15 × 10 mm., dorsally much-compressed. Mericarps, one 3- the other 2-(3)-winged; wings up to c. 3 mm. wide. Vittae 1-2 in each groove, 2-3 on commissural face.

DIST.: Ch. On coastal cliffs, now rare.