Flora of New Zealand Series

C. macropteryx Hegel. Mon. Call. 1864, 59, t. 4, f. 2.

C. microphylla Col. in T.N.Z.I. 20, 1888, 190.

Stems filiform, much-branched, up to 2 dm. or more long in water, forming matted patches on mud. Lvs on filiform petioles up to 3 mm. long; lamina rhomboid to suborbicular, membr., (2)-3-4 × (1)-3-4 mm., ± cuneately narrowed to base; margins us. with 1 minute tooth, or a pair. ♂ and ♀ sts together, on very short peduncles; bracts 0; stamens and styles very short. Fr. ± orbicular, emarginate, ± 1·5 mm. diam.; commissural groove deep; wings pale, broad, ± crisped. Seeds brown.

DIST.: K., Three Kings, N., S., St., Ch. Lowland still waters and mud throughout.

FL. 10-12. FT. 11-3. Also in Australia (whence type).

The N.Z. form is well described by Colenso under the name C. microphylla. His specimens were found "on the ground in forests, forming thickish beds; and also in watercourses, in open lands near Dannevirke . . . 1887; W. C."