Flora of New Zealand Series

mile-a-minute

Stem moderately hairy, particularly in upper parts, glabrous and woody toward base. Lvs ± glabrous or sparsely hairy; leaflets deltoid to ovate-deltoid, acute to acuminate, entire, 25-55 mm long; stipules ovate-triangular, usually reflexed, (2)-4-7 mm long; stipels lanceolate, 2-5 mm long. Infl. > lvs, c. 5-20-flowered, with many bracteoles; pedicels < fls. Calyx ± glabrous, but teeth ciliate; calyx teeth < tube, broadly ovate-triangular. Corolla white, or lavender and white, or pink to reddish purple, 10-15 mm long; keel curved through 90°. Pod glabrous, boat-shaped and slightly curved, 3-5-seeded, (25)-30-40-(45) mm long; seeds brown, oblong-ellipsoid, c. 4 mm long.

N.: scattered localities from vicinity of Auckland City northwards, Gisborne City, Bulls, Palmerston North, Wellington City and coastal S.W. Wellington Province.

South Africa 1871

A vigorous climber scrambling over scrub and waste land.

FL Jul-Jan.

Mile-a-minute has been previously known in N.Z. as Dolichos lignosus.