with very numerous long fleshy rootlets. Leaves 2–3, all radical, on short stiff petioles 1–2 in. long, with broad sheathing bases; blade 1–2 in. diam., suborbicular or broader than long, slightly cordate or almost cuneate at the base, 3-lobed to the middle; lobes overlapping, sharply and finely toothed or crenate. Scape solitary, stout, naked, 1-flowered, about equalling the leaves. Sepals 5, oblong. Petals 5. Achenes few, forming a small rounded head, turgid, glabrous; style straight, subulate.
South Island: Canterbury—Debris of limestone rocks at Castle Hill, Middle Waimakariri, alt. 2500 ft., J. D. Enys!
Much more complete material is required before a good description can be given of this curious little plant. It is very close to the preceding species, but seems sufficiently distinct in the less fleshy and more coriaceous habit; fewer leaves, which are broader, and much less divided; longer scape, and broader petals. Only one flowering specimen has been obtained.
15. R. Berggreni, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 325; l.c. xxxi. (1899) 352, t. 26.—Small, stemless, perfectly glabrous. Rootstock stout, with numerous fleshy rootlets. Leaves all radical, coriaceous; petioles slender, flattened, ½–1 in. long; blade orbicular or reniform, with an open sinus, ½–¾ in. diam., unequally 3-lobed to the middle, rarely almost 3-partite; lobes rounded, irregularly crenate or crenate-lobed. Scapes 1 or 2, 1-flowered, naked, 1–3 in. long. Flowers ½–¾ in. diam. Sepals 5, ovate, margins scarious. Petals 5, obovate, rounded at the tip, with a single conspicuous gland at the base. Styles rather long, recurved. Ripe achenes not seen.—Kirk, Students Fl. 12.
South Island: Otago—Carrick Range, alt. 4000 ft., Petrie! November–December.
A pretty and distinct little species, the exact relationship of which cannot be determined until ripe achenes are obtained.
16. R. novæ-zealandiæ, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvi. (1894) 266.—Small, stout, somewhat fleshy and glaucous, perfectly glabrous. Rootstock short, stout, clothed with the remains of the old petioles; root-fibres long and thick. Leaves all radical, coriaceous, on short flattened petioles ½–1 in. long; blade ½–1¼ in. long, trifoliolate; lateral leaflets sessile, terminal long-stalked, all more or less deeply 3-lobed or -partite, sometimes to the base, segments crenate. Scapes 1–3, short, stout, naked, 1-flowered, 1–3 in. long. Flowers ½–¾ in. diam. Sepals 5, oblong, much shorter than the petals. Petals 5, obovate-cuneate, rounded at the tip, with a single broad gland near the base. Ripe achenes not seen.—Kirk, Students' Fl. 13.
South Island: Otago-Rock and Pillar Range, opposite Middlemarch; Old Man Range, alt. 4000ft., Petrie! November–December.
This looks like R. Berggreni with trifoliolate leaves; in fact, the terminal leaflet often exactly matches a small-sized leaf of that species. But it is premature to speculate as to its affinities until the ripe achenes are known.
