5. G. densiflora, Hook. f. HandB. N.Z. Fl. 68.—Forming broad matted patches. Rhizome rather stout, branched. Leaves 1–2 in. long; petioles half the length, strict, villous or glabrescent; blade ½–1 in. diam., orbicular or broadly ovate-orbicular, cordate at the base, sharply and minutely toothed, rather coriaceous. Spikes unisexual; males not seen; females short, concealed among the leaves. Flowers densely crowded, sessile. Calyx-lobes 2, subulate, acute. Styles 2, long, spreading. Fruiting spike shorter than the leaves. Drupes crowded, small, pendulous, 110 in. long.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 154.
South Island: Acheron and Clarence Rivers, altitude 4000 ft., Travers (Handbook); Craigieburn Mountains, Canterbury, Cockayne!
The above description is partly based upon that given in the Handbook, and partly upon Mr. Cockayne's specimens, which are the only ones I have seen that can be referred to the species.
6. G. dentata, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 346.—Forming extensive patches in watery subalpine localities. Rhizome stout, much branched, clothed with the bases of the old leaves. Leaves numerous, densely tufted, 1–3 in. long; petioles long, broad and flat, usually clothed with strigose hairs, sometimes almost shaggy; blade ⅓–1 in. long, ovate or elliptic-oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, acute, rounded or cuneate at the base, often narrowed into the petiole, coarsely dentate, both surfaces with scattered white hairs or almost glabrous. Spikes unisexual. Males slender, about equalling the leaves; flowers sessile or nearly so, each with a pair of deciduous hood-shaped bracts. Sepals 2, minute, linear. Anthers broadly oblong. Female spikes very short, hidden at the base of the leaves; flowers densely crowded. Calyx-lobes 2, linear. Styles 2, very long, flattened at the base. Fruiting spikes sometimes elongated and exceeding the leaves, sometimes short and sessile among the leaves. Drupes sessile or nearly so, clavate, spreading or pendulous, 110.—Students Fl. 154. G. prorepens var. b. Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 68.
North Island: Colenso (Handbook); Taupo, Petrie! South Island: Subalpine localities from Nelson to Southland, but often local. 1000–3500 ft. December–February.
A distinct species, easily recognised by the narrow ovate or elliptic-oblong acute leaves, which are often cuneate at the base, and coarsely dentate.
7. G. arenaria, Cheesem. ex T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 348.—A stout much-branched prostrate and matted herb, forming extensive patches in damp sandy soil; rhizome stout, clothed with the ragged bases of the old leaves. Leaves ¾–2½ in. long, thick and coriaceous, almost fleshy; petioles long, stout, sheathing at the base, glabrous or with a few scattered flattened hairs; blade ⅓–¾ in., broadly ovate or elliptic-ovate or oblong, obtuse, cuneate at the base or truncate or almost cordate, coarsely crenate or crenate-lobed; veins prominent beneath. Peduncles variable in
