1. Scleranthus, Linn.

Small rigid usually densely tufted annual or perennial herbs. Leaves opposite, connate at the base, subulate, often serrulate; stipules wanting. Flowers small, green, axillary, solitary or 2 together, or in little cymes or fascicles. Perianth funnel-shaped or urceolate or turbinate, 4–5-toothed or-lobed. Stamens 1, 2, 5, or 10, inserted on the throat of the perianth; filaments subulate; anthers didymous. Ovary ovoid; styles 2, distinct; stigmas capitellate, Fruit a membranous utricle enclosed in the persistent and hardened perianth. Seed lenticular; testa smooth; embryo annular.

Species about 12, scattered through Europe, temperate and subtropical Asia, Africa, and Australasia. The single New Zealand species is also found in Australia.

• 1. S. biflorus, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 74.—A small densely branched glabrous or minutely pubescent perennial herb, usually forming compact cushions 1–4 in. diam. or more, rarely laxly branched with the stems creeping and elongating to 6 in. Leaves crowded and imbricating, rarely remote, 1/10–1/12 in. long, narrow-page 576linear, acute, concave, minutely serrulate, coriaceous. Peduncles axillary, solitary, very short in the flowering stage, but lengthening in fruit and overtopping the leaves. Flowers minute, in pairs or more rarely solitary at the top of the peduncle, sessile within 4 minute concave bracts placed crosswise. Perianth 4-lobed. Stamen 1, inserted on an annular membrane near the mouth of the perianth. Fruiting perianth about 1/12 in. long, hard, ovoid at the base; lobes erect. Utricle membranous, included.—Handb. N.Z, Fl. 234; Benth. Fl. Austral. v. 259. Mniarum biflorum, Forst. Char. Gen. 2, t. 1; Prodr. n. 6; A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 319; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 368; Raoul, Choix, 43. M. fasciculatum, Raoul, l.c. (not of R. Br.). Ditoca muscosa, Banks ex Gaertn. Fruct. ii. 196, t. 126.

  North and South Islands: Abundant throughout, from the Three Kings-Islands and the North Cape to Foveaux Strait. Sea-level to 4000 ft.