Flora of New Zealand Series

hydrocotyle

Perennial, forming large patches; stems slender. Lvs simple, usually dull green, often with a reddish margin, moderately to densely hairy above and below or moderately hairy above only, 5-20-(25) mm diam., divided to 1/4-?-(1/2) of radius into 5-7 segments; segments broadly obovate, each again usually 3-lobed and serrate; teeth with blunt or sharp cartilaginous points; margins flat; petiole ± glabrous or moderately to densely hairy. Umbels simple, with numerous fls; peduncles = or somewhat < lvs. Fls subsessile. Fr. glabrous, 1.3-1.5 × 1-1.3 mm, acute on dorsal edge; ribs raised, slender.

N.; S.; St.; K., Ch.

Endemic.

Throughout in lowland to montane areas, particularly forest margins and clearings, also in many areas as a lawn weed.

H. moschata is very variable in lf size, hairiness and dissection; more dissected plants approach H. dissecta; less dissected forms with smaller lvs, and hairs on the upper surface only, may warrant recognition as a separate taxon, but are very similar to forms of H. microphylla.