Species

Pseudopanax linearis

Etymology

Pseudopanax: false cure
linearis: linear (leaves)

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Not Threatened

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 - Not Threatened
2004 - Not Threatened

Authority

Pseudopanax linearis (Hook.f.) K.Koch

Family

Araliaceae

Brief Description

Small lancewood-like higher altitude shrub with narrow thick leaves

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

PSELIN

The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Synonyms

Panax linearis Hook.f.

Distribution

Endemic. South Island, Fiordland, Southern Alps and NW Nelson

Habitat

Montane to low alpine forest in damper regions mainly west of the Main Divide

Features

Shrub to 3 m tall; branches few; stem with scattered simple to trifid scales. Leaves alternate, leaflets single; juvenile leaves ascending, 15-25 x 0.5-1 cm, narrow-linear, subacute to retuse, obscurely sinuately crenate-serrate; midrib pale, prominent, lateral veins obscure, petiole very short, stout, not sheathing stem. Adult leaves, dark green above, contrasting with midrib, 5-10 x 0.75-1 cm, on stout non-sheathing stout petiole c. 5 mm long, linear to linear-lanceolate, acute and mucronate to obtuse, obscurely to distinctly crenate-serrate. Inflorescence a terminal or occ. axillary, compound umbel; primary rays (branchlets) 3-10; secondary rays absent; umbellules 5-10 flowered. Petals greenish, acute, spreading or reflexed; anthers on filaments < petals. Ovary 3-5-loculed, each containing 1 ovule; style branches 3-5, conate, erect, recurved at tips. Fruit fleshy, purple, broadly oblong-ovoid, 4 x 8 mm, style branches retained on an apical disc. 4(-5) Seeds per fruit, ovate, 4.0-5.5(-6.0) mm long.

Similar Taxa

The small size and narrow thick leaves with obvious midvein of this species are distinctive

Flower Colours

Green

Threats

Not Threatened

Chromosome No.

2n = 48

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Attribution

Description adapted from Allan (1961), Eagle (2006), Webb and Simpson (2001).

References and further reading

Allan, H.H. 1961. Flora of NZ, Vol. I. Government Printer, Wellington

Eagle, A. 2006. Eagle's complete trees and shrubs of NZ. Te Papa Press, Wellington

Webb, C.J. &  Simpson, M.J.A. 2001. Seeds of NZ gymnosperms and dicotyledons. Manuka Press, Christchurch.

This page last updated on 8 Jan 2014