Flora of New Zealand Series

C. lurida Kirk var. parvifolia Ckn. et Allan in T.N.Z.I. 57, 1927, 51.

Type locality: Mount Holdsworth. Type: W, DM. 98, W. R. B. Oliver.

Summer-green subshrub; stems branched, prostrate to ascending, close-set, slender, quadrangular, up to c. 4 dm. long, arising from slender to rather stout branching rhizomes. Branches and branchlets very slender. Lvs opp. or subopp., on petioles ± 1 mm. long. Lamina ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate to acute, rounded to truncate at base; (5)-6-8-(10) × 1·5-3 mm., membr.; margins flat. Lvs at base of branchlets ovate, ± 7 × 5 mm., acute. Racemes 3-6 cm. long, us. with a few lvs towards base; fls solitary or 2-3 together, rather distant, on slender patent pedicels up to c. 3 mm. long. Sepals broad-ovate to oblong, ± apiculate, c. 1·5 mm. long; petals similar. Carpels 10.

DIST.: Lowland to lower subalpine alluvial ground, grassland, stream-beds, debris slopes: N. From Mount Egmont and Mount Hikurangi southwards. S. Throughout.

FL. 10-2. FT. 11-3.

Most specimens of this distinct sp. have hitherto been labelled C. thymifolia. Probably several vars will be segregated on detailed study.