Flora of New Zealand Series

Glabrous, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial. Stems up to 1 m high. Lvs alternate, exstipulate, sessile, entire, oblanceolate to obovate or ± elliptic, (10)-30-80-(120) mm long. Terminal umbel usually 5-rayed, with sometimes a few axillary rays arising below; lvs subtending rays similar to stem lvs but shorter, broader; rays forming compound dichasia; lvs subtending cyathia obovate to suborbicular, not connate. Glands deep purple, crescent-shaped; horns slender or broad. Seeds smooth, rounded, pale yellow or purplish brown, c. 3-7 mm long.

N.; S.; St.; Ch.

Endemic.

Coastal cliffs, sands, gravels, and rocky situations; locally common but less widespread than formerly.

The deep red cyathia with purple glands distinguish this sp. Seeds are smooth as in a number of larger spurges (Fig. 59).