Flora of New Zealand Series

Seagrass; mullet-grass.

Similar to Z. muelleri in habit but stouter in all its parts. Lf-lamina 20–50 cm. × 2.5–4 mm.; primary nerves us. > 3, us. at least 1 and often 2 nerves in addition to the median and the 2 marginal ones; interstitial nerves us. > 6, often 8–9, on each side of median; cross veins often ∞ and extending across only 2–3 interstitial nerves, giving a closer and less regular pattern than in Z. muelleri. Erect stems slender and flattened, the "peduncular" internode narrower than the spathe. Spathe-like sheath c. 1.5–2.5 cm. × 3–4 mm. (folded width), its margins squarely truncate at the top and its terminating lamina 3–5 cm. × 2.5–3.5 mm. Spadix rarely shorter than spathe; retinacula often 4 or more on each side, obliquely ovate, c. 1 × 1 mm. and c. 2–2.5 mm. apart. Stamens and carpels closely packed, carpels often > 6 and anther-sacs about twice their number. Achene unknown. 2n = 24.

DIST.: N.

Original localities: Queensland (Cape York, Moseley; Moreton Bay, Naumann; Landsborough, Mueller); New Zealand (Auckland, Naumann, Nov. 1875, sterile). Type: Australian.

On intertidal and subtidal flats of sandy mud.

FL. 10–12–(2).

Mr Michael Hodgkins collected ample material from the upper Tauranga Harbour from 1942 to 1964. Fls were found regularly in summer months on plants growing in pools left in hollows when the tide was low. The sp. apparently grows also down to or below the level of the lowest spring tides, producing very long lvs. Z. capricorni appears also to grow at lower levels in Australia where the first collections were from drift in a place on Peel Islands, Moreton Bay, where Z. muelleri was growing intertidally ( Verh. bot. Ver. Prov. Brandenb. 18, 1876, 56.)