Flora of New Zealand Series

H. vesicarius Cav. Diss. 3, 1787, 171, t. 64, f. 2.

Annual to biennial ± hispid herb up to ± 4 dm. tall; lower branches spreading to prostrate, upper us. ascending. Lvs on petioles ± 5-10 mm. long. Lamina ± 2-8 cm. diam., suborbicular, cordate; of lower lvs rather shallowly 3-5-lobed, of mid and upper lvs more deeply cut, segs narrow, coarsely toothed. Fls axillary, ± 3-5 cm. diam., on peduncles ± 2-5 mm. long. Bracteoles 7-12, linear, hispid; calyx ± 2 × 2 cm., membr., inflated, with raised hispid veins. Petals white to pale yellow, with dark brown base. Capsule subglobose, hairy, enclosed in calyx. Seeds glab., dark brown, subreniform ± 3 mm. long.

DIST.: N. Coastal sheltered places, local: North Auckland Peninsula, Hicks Bay, Great Barrier Id, Mayor Id. Also recorded for S. by Hooker (

Fl. N.Z. 1, 1852, 28) "South Wanganui, Lyall." FL. 10-2. FT. 11-4-(6). Probably of Central African origin, now widespread.