Species
Geniostoma ligustrifolium var. majus
Etymology
Geniostoma: the tribe with pitted seed
ligustrifolium: From the genus Ligustrum privet and the Greek word phylum 'leaf', meaning privet-leaved
Current Conservation Status
2012 - 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
2009 - At Risk - Naturally Uncommon
2004 - Range Restricted
Qualifiers
2012 - IE, OL
2009 - RC, IE
Authority
Geniostoma ligustrifolium var. majus Cheeseman
Family
Loganiaceae
Brief Description
Shrub bearing dark green pointed leaves that are silvery pale underneath inhabiting the Three Kings Islands. Leaves thin, wavy, 4-7cm long by 3-4cm wide. Flowers small, green, slightly hairy, in clusters at base of leaf. Fruit a dry capsule splitting in two to showing the small orange seeds.
Flora Category
Vascular - Native
Structural Class
Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs
Synonyms
Geniostoma rupestre var. ligustrifolium (A.Cunn.) B.J.Conn
Chromosome No.
2n = 40
Endemic Taxon
Yes
Endemic Genus
No
Endemic Family
No
Taxonomic Notes
Regarding the taxonomy of New Zealand Geniostoma see under G. ligustrifolium A.Cunn. var. ligustrifolium and var. crassum Cheeseman. From these var. majus consistently differs by its larger leaves and flowers (which have a different scent), and other cryptic characters. On Manawa Tahwi (Great) Island var. majus is widely sympatric with var. ligustrifolium. Putative hybrids are scarce.
This page last updated on 20 Nov 2013