The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Mazus novaezeelandiae subsp. impolitus f. impolitus

Etymology

Mazus: tear (after protuberance on throat of flower)
novaezeelandiae: of New Zealand
impolitus: unpolished, matt

Current Conservation Status

2018 - Threatened - Nationally Endangered

Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB

Previous Conservation Status

2012 - Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable
2009 - Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable
2004 - Serious Decline

Qualifiers

2012 - DP
2009 - DP

Authority

Mazus novaezeelandiae subsp. impolitus Heenan f. impolitus

Family

Mazaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Distribution

Endemic to New Zealand. North and South Island, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago.

Habitat

M. novaezeelandiae subsp. impolitus prefers coastal sites, particularly damp hollows and sand flats, amongst sandy turf and coastal pasture species; but has also been found inland on river gravels in Otago. Swamp and stream margins, soggy groung, river flats beneath tawa and kahikatea.

Features

A perennial, creeping herb forming compact, leafy rosettes, leaves spoon-shaped, dark green to yellow-green 20–75 mm long. The margins of the leaves may be pigmented brown. The erect inflorescence is often held well above the foliage and may bear from 1 to 5 Mimulus-like flowers, these are white with a yellow throat. It is distinguished from subsp. novaezeelandiae by its dull green leaves that are hairless or only sparsely hairy.

Similar Taxa

Mazus pumilio which has blue or lilac flowers and a finely toothed leaf margin. This predominantly Australian species is known in New Zealand from only one site in Northland, but is now sold by many garden centres as M. novazeelandiae.

Flowering

Flowering occurs in November.

Flower Colours

White,Yellow

Fruiting

Fruiting capsules are found from December to April.

Threats

Very susceptible to disturbance, habitat clearance and modification including stock trampling.

Chromosome No.

2n = 38

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 16 Apr 2014