Flora of New Zealand Series

Helophyllum rubrum Hook. f. Handbk N.Z. Fl. 1864, 168.

Type locality: "Lake District"; as used by Hector and Buchanan this means us. the drainage areas of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Type: K, Hector and Buchanan, no. 28, "flowers April".

Cushions or mats up to ± 5 cm. tall. Lvs linear to linear-oblong, concavo- to plano-convex, c. 4·5 × 1 mm., not widening to base, thickened at apex, us. forming a distinct knob. Bracts irregularly toothed and ciliolate at apex. Fls up to c. 5 mm. diam.; calyx-lobes oblong, ± toothed and ciliolate at apex. Corolla white, us. drying dark red; lobes 5-7, somewhat unequal, obovate. Column rather stout, not or very slightly exserted.

DIST.: S. Higher montane to subalpine herbfield, fellfield and rock-crevices from about lat. 43° 30' to 45° 30'.

FL. 12-4. FT. ?

The apical "knobs" to the lvs are sts more conspicuous than is shown in the type material.