Flora of New Zealand Series

Gingidium montanum J. R. et G. Forst. Char. Gen. Pl. 1776, 21.

Ligusticum gingidium Forst. f. Prodr. 1786, 22.

Anisotome gingidium Hook. f. Fl. N.Z.1, 1853, 89.

Angelica gingidium Hook. f. Handbk N.Z. Fl. 1864, 97.

Type locality: ? Type: P, 64, There is a rather poor Forster specimen at K.

Stout aromatic herb up to ± 5 dm. tall, arising from stout woody taproot; stock clad in If-remains; main stem up to ± 15 mm. diam. near base. Radical lvs on stout, often purplish petioles up to c. 20 cm. long, with sheathing bases. Lamina subfleshy, glaucous; up to c. 4 dm. long, with 5-(10) pairs of sessile lflts 2-6 × 1-4 cm. Lflts gradually diminishing in size upwards, obliquely ovate-oblong, obtuse; margins ± oblique, crenulate-denticulate or sts serrate (rarely lobed). Terminal lflt us. ± 3-5mm-lobed. Umbles compound, up to c. 10 cm. diam., on stout peduncles up to ± 15 cm. long, sts with 1-2 foliar bracts. Primary rays 10-20, rather stout, occ. flattened; involucral bracts lanceolate, acuminate. Secondary rays (5)-10-(15) mm. long; involucral bracts narrow-lanceolate. ♂ with calyx-teeth broad-triangular; petals white, ovate oblong, inflexed. ♀ with petals strongly inflexed, styles 2-3 mm. long, including stout stylopodia. Fr. c. 5 mm. long, ovate-cordate in outline. Mericarps much-compressed; lateral pairs of wings broad; dorsal ribs small, distinct. Vittae 1 per furrow, 2 commissural.

DIST.: N., S. Coastal to higher montane grassland and rocky and gravelly places from lat. 38º southwards. Formerly common, now mostly restricted to places inaccessible to stock.

FL. 10-1. FT.11-3.

Occ. plants occur with lflts deeply and coarsely irregularly toothed; teeth triangular, subacute.