Flora of New Zealand Series

M. capitata Hook. f. var. albiflora J. B. Armst. in T.N.Z.I. 13, 1881, 340

non M. albiflora Banks et Sol. ex Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. 2, 1847, 329.

M. capitata Hook. f. subsp. albida Kirk in T.N.Z.I. 17, 1885, 224.

M. albida (Kirk) Cheesem. in Ckn. Rep. Bot. Surv. St. Id 1909, 43 and in Subantarct. Is N.Z. 1909, 423

non M. albida Kunth in H.B. & K. Nov. Gen. Sp. 3, 1818, 91.

Type locality: Stewart Id. Type: CM, Herb. J. B. Armstrong, Rev. Mr. Stack.

Rosette-lvs oblong-spathulate, up to 12×2 cm., tips rounded and obtuse, margins ± revolute, lamina gradually narrowed into broad flat petiole us. < lamina-length; hairs short, silky and spreading, very crowded, those on undersurface retrorse except near lf-tip. Lateral branches few to many, ascending to erect, up to 30 cm. long, sts branched, internodes mostly = or < lvs. Stem-lvs many, c. 2-3 × 1 cm., ± oblong and obtuse; hairs like those of rosette-lvs but retrorse on undersurface only near base of lowermost lvs. Cymes ebracteate and us. several times branched, many-fld, reaching 4 cm. long in fr.; internodes and pedicels very short. Calyx 4-5 mm. long, lobes > 1/2 length, rather broad, obtuse; hairs ∞, rather short, flexuous, towards base irregularly hooked or sts retrorse. Corolla white, c. 6 mm. diam., tube 3-4 mm. long, cylindric, lobes spreading, c. 2.5 × 2.5 mm., broadly oblong; filaments fixed just below scales, short but > anthers which are up to 1 mm. long, broad, wholly above scales; style little > calyx in fr., stigma capitate. Nutlets up to 2 × 1·3 mm., subacute, slightly winged and keeled.

DIST.: S., St., Sn. Coasts of east and south Southland, islands of Foveaux Strait including Solander Id and Stewart Id. Maritime rocks.

FL. 11-1. FT. 1-2.

Rakiura is the Maori name for Stewart Id.