Species

Epipterygium opararense

Common Name(s)

Moss

Current Conservation Status

2009 - 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

2004 - Threatened - Nationally Critical

Qualifiers

2009 - OL

Authority

Epipterygium opararense Fife et A.J.Shaw

Family

Bryaceae

Flora Category

Non Vascular - Native

Synonyms

None

Distribution

Endemic. New Zealand, South Island, near Karamea

Features

Pale green or brownish green apparently dioicous moss with metallic sheen when dry. Stems pale yellowish or reddish brown, several arising from a common point near base, unbranched up to 15 mm tall, 180-210 micrometre diameter, base with nearly smooth yellowish brown rhizoids. Leaves distichously arranged, asymmetric (especially toward base), 1.5-2.1 x 0.7-0.85 mm, broadly elliptic from a narrow base, apex broadly acute, reducing in size toward stem base; margins plane, entire rarely finely crenulate, apex often bluntly toothed; costae 1/3-2/3 length of leaves, broad more or less diffuse at base, rarely branched, cell of upper lamina thin walled posenchymatous 90-195 x 21-30 micrometre, at margins firmer-walled, linear, 225-270 micrometre long. Perichaetia terminal, leaves somewhat narrower than vegetative, others similar, archegonia 5-8 lacking paraphyses. Perigonia and sporophytes unknown.

Fruiting

Capsules unknown

Threats

Known from only one extant location where it is very vulnerable to human traffic, plant collectors and flooding. Previously collected from another more distant location in 1981 from where it has not been seen since.


This page last updated on 17 Jul 2011