. Plants of New Zealand. duced in size,and very variable in shape. The plant might now be taken forone of the Cojjrosmas. None but a careful observer would belikely to recognize in this unkempt twisted shrub, the youngform of the handsome beech-like tree. (3) The third ormature form, already described, is a handsome, graceful tree,with large, alternate, rather flaccid leaves. These forms, if Dr. Cockaynes theory is correct, representin order (1) the early Pliocene type, existing when the climatewas mild, before the elevation of the mountains ; (2) theinterwoven coprosma-like stage of the later
. Plants of New Zealand. duced in size,and very variable in shape. The plant might now be taken forone of the Cojjrosmas. None but a careful observer would belikely to recognize in this unkempt twisted shrub, the youngform of the handsome beech-like tree. (3) The third ormature form, already described, is a handsome, graceful tree,with large, alternate, rather flaccid leaves. These forms, if Dr. Cockaynes theory is correct, representin order (1) the early Pliocene type, existing when the climatewas mild, before the elevation of the mountains ; (2) theinterwoven coprosma-like stage of the later Pliocene deserts ;and (3) the mature form of the present day, which resemblesthe early Pliocene type, as the climate has once more becomecomparatively temperate. THE MALLOWS AND RIBBON-WOODS 259 Such a daring hypothesis as this, shows how botanistsare beginning to beheve in the extraordinary plasticity ofplant life. Whatever explanation of these strange changes ofform may ultimately be held, the problem suggested by the. Fig. 81. Gaya Lyallii i4 nat. size). wonderful transformations, which many New Zealand plantsundergo in their development, must surely give pause to anybelated believers in the immutability of species. They cannotpossibly have any theory to account for such unnecessary 260 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND instability of form. Even those who beHeve that each specieshas a certain definite type form, which is independent ofenvironment, will find themselves confronted with manyparadoxes amongst antipodean plants. Genus Hibiscus. Herbs or shrubs, with large and handsome flowers. A chiefly tropical axillary or terminal. Capsule 5-valved. {Hibiscus is the Greek name forthe flower.) 2 sp. Hibiscus trionum {The Starry Hibiscus). An annual or biennial herb, 1-2 ft. high. Stems rough with hairs. ^ in. in diameter, straw-coloured, with dark eye. Calyx inflated,membranous. Leaves palmately-lobed. From the North Cape to Whangarei,local. South Island: West
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectplants, bookyear1906
