The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Myosotis pottsiana

Etymology

Myosotis: mouse-eared

Common Name(s)

None known

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 - Data Deficient

Qualifiers

2012 - DP, EF
2009 - DP, EF

Authority

Myosotis pottsiana (L.B.Moore) Meudt, Prebble, R.J.Stanley & Thorsen

Family

Boraginaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

Myosotis petiolata L.B.Moore var. pottsiana

Distribution

Endemic. Known from scattered sites in the southern Raukumara Range (Waioeka Gorge) and from the Galatea Hills, and adjacent, western portion of the Te Urewera National Park.

Habitat

A species of riverside banks and gorges, usually in areas prone to occasional flooding

Features

Short-lived, loosely branched, hairy perennial herb. Petioles slender, 20–40mm long, narrowly winged margins fringed by long, spreading hairs. Rosette leaves 15–25 × 10–17mm, orbicular to spathulate, leaf apex obtuse, usually apiculate, dark green above with darker green or maroon veins, pale below, lamina surfaces sparsely covered in widely spaced, short, straight, stiff, ± appressed hairs. Lateral branches occasional, 60–350mm long, producing offset rosettes. Stem leaves broad to narrow oval, becoming smaller toward branch apices. Inflorescence simple, flowers without subtending leafy bracts. Calyx 3–5mm long, lobed almost to base, lobes narrowly acute, spreading in fruit, hairs short and stiff. Corolla white, 9–12mm diameter, tube cylindric, twice as long as wide, corolla scales well above calyx tips; stamens shorter than corolla. Nutlets 1.2–1.4 × 1.2–1.9mm, ovate to broadly ovate, glossy black-brown to black.

Similar Taxa

Allied to Myosotis pansa which occurs as two subspecies on the west coast of North Island from Muriwai to N Taranaki. Myosotis pansa differs from M. pottsiana by larger, wide funnel-like flowers (corolla 10-15 mm diameter), and by corolla scales at or below the calyx tips. Myosotis pottsiana is more likely to be confused with the vegetatively similar M. forsteri which grows in similar habitats. Flowering specimens of M. forsteri can be distinguished by their much smaller flowers with scarcely projecting anthers and style. Field recognition: tufted rosette of green mottled leaves on long thin petioles and plants often grouped into loose colonies

Flowering

Flowers can be present throughout the year but are more commonly seen from spring through summer

Flower Colours

White,Yellow

Fruiting

Seed can be present throughout the year.

Propagation Technique

Easily grown from seed. Plants are short-lived but readily set seed. In cultivation this species often "naturalises" in gardens.

Chromosome No.

2n = 44

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 16 Apr 2014