WCP2326

[1]

Kew

Aug 3/75.

My dear Wallace

New Zealand plants are remarkably scentless both in regard to the absence ^rarity of scented flowers, — of leaves with all ^immersed1 glands containing essential oils — & of glandular hairs. I remember no scented roots — & only one or two barks. The notable Exceptions are the genus Alseuosmia (so called on this account) which consists of 3 [2] species confined to the N. half of the N. Island whose flowers are extraordinarily sweet.

Piper excelsum whose leaves are highly aromatic & Drimys axillaris which is so in all parts & a very few others.

The middle [illeg.] has furnished a large [illeg.] of plants with handsome flowers, so since I wrote my Essay — especially Ranunculi herbaceous Compositae & shrubby Veronicas.

[3] Ever sincerely yrs | Jos D Hooker² [signature]