2. L. tetrapetalus, Forst. Prodr. n, 156.—A bushy shrub 3–6 ft. high; stems usually numerous from the base, often adhering to the host for a considerable distance; branches spreading, terete, greyish; branchlets compressed, glabrous or minutely pubescent. Leaves opposite and decussate, ½–1¼ in. long, elliptic-oblong or ovate-oblong, rounded at the tip, narrowed into a short petiole at the base, very thick and coriaceous, pale yellowishgreen when fresh, reddish when dry, midrib and veins obscure. Flowers bright-red, either solitary or 2–4 together in the axils of the leaves, erect; peduncles short, stout. Calyx-limb cupular, obscurely 4-toothed. Corolla about 1 in. long, swollen and 4-angled at the base, terete above, ultimately splitting to the base into 4 linear petals, which are erect below, but reflexed at the tip. Anthers narrow -linear, basifixed. Style equalling the corolla; stigma capitate.—A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 268; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 486; Raoul, Choix, 42; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 99; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 107. L. decussatus, T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. iii. (1871) 162. L. punctatus, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv. (1883) 323.
North and South Islands: Not uncommon from the Little Barrier Island and Cape Colville to the south-west of Otago. 500–4000 ft. November–January.
In the southern portion of the colony this is usually parasitic on Fagus, in the north on Quintinia. Through a curious misconception, Mr. Kirk applied the name of tetrapetalus to the plant now known as L. Adamsii, and described the true tetrapetalus as a distinct species under the name of L. decussatus.
3. L. Colensoi, Hook. f. in Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 633.—A large much-branched perfectly glabrous bush; branchlets terete. Leaves opposite, 1½–3 in. long, broadly oblong or obovate or almost orbicular, obtuse, narrowed into a stout petiole ⅓–¼ in. long, very thick and coriaceous, veinless or the veins very obscure. Peduncles stout, axillary, ½–1 in. long, 3–9-flowered. Flowers sessile, opposite, large, scarlet, 1½–2 in. long; a small deciduous leaf-like bract at the base of each flower; bracteoles wanting. Calyx-limb prominent, cupular, truncate or obscurely sinuate. Corolla terete or nearly so in bud, swollen at the base and towards the tip, splitting into 4 linear petals free to the base. Anthers very narrow-linear, basifixed. Style straight, equalling the corolla.—Raoul, Choix, 42; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 99; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 107.
North Island: Lake Waikaremoana, parasitic on Metrosideros tomentosa,' Colenso! Mount Hikurangi and other places in the East Cape district, Adams and Petrie, Bishop Williams! various localities in Wellington Province, Buchanan! South Island: Not uncommon in wooded districts throughout. Sea-level to 2000 ft. December–January.
A very handsome species. It is usually parasitic on Fagus, but has also been noticed on Pittosporum and Metrosideros.
