Flora of New Zealand Series

Spergula apetala Labill. Nov. Holl. Pl. Sp. 1, 1804, 112, t. 142.

Type locality: "in capite Van-Diemen". Type: P, Labillardière.

Plant simple or several to many tufted. Branches mostly very short. Lvs grassy, erect, flexuous or recurved, blade 10-25 mm. long, linear to very narrow-linear, with short apicula. Peduncles about = lvs, becoming longer; fls fairly broad, sepals 5, 3-4 mm. long, broad and partly membr. below, tapering to short apicula; capsule 5-valved, valves almost = sepals when mature. Seeds with low rounded papillae.

DIST.: N., S., A., C. In N. known from Mts Hikurangi and Maungapohatu, and from Kaimanawa, Ruahine, and Tararua Ranges. Sandy, peaty or muddy places from sealevel to 1200 m.

FL. 12-1. FT. 1-3.