Flora of New Zealand Series

R. cunninghamii Meissn. in DC. Prodr. 14, 1856, 62.

R. brownianus A. Cunn. in Ann. nat. Hist. 1, 1838, 455 non Campd. Mon. Rumex 1819, 81.

Glab. much-branched spreading herb up to 40 cm. or more diam.; taproot stout, deeply descending; branches and branchlets rather slender, divaricate, grooved. Radical lvs (5)-10-(30) cm. long, linear to narrow-oblong, cuneately narrowed to truncate or cordate base; margins ± undulate. Cauline and subfloral lvs linear to narrow-lanceolate or sts ovate-oblong, subacuminate; lower up to 5 cm., infl. lvs gradually decreasing to 2 cm. or less. Infl. of ∞ rather distant clusters of 6-12 fls; pedicels ± 2 mm. long, jointed near base, deflexed in fr. Outer tepals narrow-ovate, apiculate, ± 2 mm. long; inner ± 4 × 4 mm., broad ovate to rhomboid in outline, with (1)-2-(4) minutely hooked teeth on each margin; apex acuminate. Fr. ± 2 × 1 mm., pale brown, sublustrous, triquetrous, the fimbriate stigma persistent.

DIST.: K., N., S. Lowland to montane grassland, damp and open places throughout.

FL. 11-3. FT. 12-4.