The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Gentianella saxosa

Etymology

Gentianella: Little Gentiana (named after Gentius, 6th century king of Illyria, who found the roots of the yellow gentian to have a healing effect on his malaria-stricken troops)
saxosa: rock dweller

Current Conservation Status

2018 - At Risk - Naturally Uncommon

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 - Not Threatened
2009 - Not Threatened
2004 - Not Threatened

Authority

Gentianella saxosa (G.Forst.) Holub

Family

Gentianaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

GENSAX

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

Gentiana saxosa G.Forst., Gentiana saxosa var. recurvata Kirk, Gentiana hookeri J.B.Armstrong pro parte, Chionogentias saxosa (G.Forst.) L.G.Adams, Oreophylax saxosus (G.Forst.) Á.Löve nom. inval.

Distribution

Endemic. New Zealand: South (Otago, Southland, Fiordland) and Stewart Island

Habitat

Coastal. On rock outcrops, coastal turf-lands, sand dunes

Features

Plants polycarpic, height in flower 40–170 mm. Flowering stems terminal and lateral or lateral only, 2–16 per plant, stems tinted purple-black, lateral fl owering stems decumbent, 1.4–2.8 mm diameter, flowering stem leaves 4–5 pairs per stem, lowest pedicels from halfway up flowering stem. Rosette leaves narrowly elliptic to elliptic, leaf apex rounded, 17.8–87 mm long, 3.2–17.5 mm wide, green, not recurved; petiole distinct, 14.5–64 × 0.7–3.4 mm at leaf base. Pedicels 1 per axil, 10–67 mm long, 1.4–1.5 mm diameter. Flowers 9–82 per plant, 15.0–24.2 mm long. Calyx 6.8–8.8 mm long, green; lobes 4.5–6.2 mm long, 2.0–3.2 mm wide at base, distinctly recurved, apices acute, margins minutely denticulate, sinus hairs absent. Corolla 13.7–15.7 mm long, white, veins uncoloured; tube 3.5–4.0 mm long; lobes 9.6–11.2 mm long, 6.7–7.4 mm wide; nectaries 2.5–3.7 mm from corolla base. Filaments 7.6–8.1 mm long from corolla base, 0.7–0.8 mm wide. Anthers 2.0–2.1 mm long, anther wall blue-black, mouth yellow, extrorse at anthesis. Stigma colourless. Ovules 30–44 per ovary. Capsule 10.0–19.3 mm long.

Similar Taxa

Most closely allied to G. scopulorum Glenny from which it is distinguished by the elliptic to narrowly elliptic leaves, recurved calyx lobes, purple-black flowering stems, colourless corolla veins, and larger anthers (2-2.1 cf. 1-1.5 mm). It is found from Fiordland and Otago south to Stewart Island, whereas G. scopulorum is endemic to north Westland.

Flowering

December – February

Flower Colours

White,Yellow

Fruiting

March - May

Propagation Technique

Probably the only New Zealand Gentian to be easily grown but still considered difficult. A free draining but damp soil in a semi-shaded or cool but sunny situation seem to suit it. Dislikes humidity.

Threats

Not Threatened

Chromosome No.

2n = 36

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Life Cycle and Dispersal

Seeds dispersed by ballistic projection, wind and water (Thorsen et al., 2009)

This page last updated on 26 Sep 2014