The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Gentianella calcis subsp. taiko

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)

Common Name(s)

Pareora Gentian

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Threatened - Nationally Critical

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

2009 - Threatened - Nationally Critical
2004 - Threatened - Nationally Critical

Qualifiers

2012 - EF, OL
2009 - OL, EF

Authority

Gentianella calcis subsp. taiko Glenny et Molloy

Family

Gentianaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

None

Distribution

Endemic. South Island, near Pareora (Limestone Valley Road)

Habitat

In lowland areas. A limestone endemic confined to shaded sites on limestone bluffs and boulders, and associated rendzina soils

Features

Perennial tufted herb. Petiole distinct, 15-50 mm long. Rosette leaves narrowly elliptical 42-75 mm long, 4.4-8.8 mm wide, green, weakly V-shaped in cross-section, slightly recurved, apex acute to obtuse; margins minutely serrulate. Cauline leaves, linear, recurved, smaller than rosette leaves. Flowering stems, purple-black, 1-5 per plant. Pedicels 6.5-12 mm long, 0.75-0.9 mm diam. Flowers 28-65 per plant, 1-18 per flowering stem, 16-18 mm long. Calyx green, tinted purple black, 6.8-9.8 mm long, green tinted purple; lobes 4.5-7.2 mm long, 1.3-1.8 mm wide at base, strongly recurved, apices acute, margins minutely serrulate. Corolla 11.7-19.0 mm long, veins colourless; tube 3.6-4.7 mm long; lobes 7.8-14.3 x 3.6-6.9 mm, margins usually toothed; nectary 0.8-2.2 mm from corolla base, V-shaped to pocket-like with distinct smooth-margined flap. Filaments 6.5-9.4 mm long from corolla base, 0.40-0.65 mm wide. Anthers 1.5-2.2 mm long. Ovules 14-24 per ovary. Capsules 13-16.5 mm long.

Similar Taxa

Distinguished from the other subspecies of G. calcis Glenny et Molloy by its wide leaves (4.4-8.8 mm). Also the leaves are rather long and only slightly V-shaped in cross-section. Secondary branching of the flowering stems is minimal. The corolla is rather large (14.6-19 mm long), uniformly white, and the nectary flap has an untoothed margin. For differnces from G. astonii T.N.Ho et S.W.Liu see under G. calcis

Flowering

May

Flower Colours

Violet / Purple,White

Fruiting

Unknown

Propagation Technique

Difficult. Should not be removed from the wild.

Threats

Under severe threat from the spread of Hieraceum pilosella L. and pasture grasses, habitat loss due to changes in stocking regimes, and through browsing from feral goats. Limestone quarrying is a long-term threat, while the very small population is vulnerable to erosion, boulder and rock falls. Previously recorded as Gentiana aff. astonii (b) (CHR 529111; Pareora River) in de Lange et al. (2004).

Chromosome No.

2n = 36

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 20 Nov 2013