The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Pimelea tomentosa

Etymology

Pimelea: from the Greek pimele, referring to the seeds

Common Name(s)

None known

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable

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 Vulnerable
2004 - Serious Decline

Qualifiers

2012 - PD
2009 - PD

Authority

Pimelea tomentosa (J.R.Forst. et G.Forst.) Druce

Family

Thymelaeaceae

Brief Description

Shrub with erect hairy branches bearing pairs of pointed green thin leaves that are hairy underneath, hairy white flowers and black fruit inhabiting the south to the northern South Island. Leaves 15-25mm long by 3-5mm wide, widest towards base. Flowers cause stem to branch.

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

PIMTOM

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Distribution

Endemic to New Zealand, occurring throughout the North Island and northern South Island.

Habitat

Open cliff tops, in scrub, frost flats, track sides and other seral habitats.

Features

An erect, grey-green, leafy shrub up to 1 m tall. Branches are slender and straight, with prominent leaf scars. Bark orange-brown. Young branchlets have whitish hairs. The grey-green, soft lance-shaped leaves are up to 25 mm long, with pale silky hairs on their undersides. The black fleshy fruits are very conspicuous, terminating the branch ends wherever flowers have been present.

Similar Taxa

Pimelea prostrata is a common component of coastal cliffs and shrubland vegetation. It has several variable forms but the leaves are smaller (3 to 6 byƒn1 to 3 mm) than of P. tomentosa, its habit prostrate to sprawling and it has smaller, less conspicuous white fleshy fruits. Sand daphne (Pimelea arenaria) has a similar habit but only occurs in dunes and dune hollows, has shorter, more rounded leaves than P. tomentosa and smaller red fruits.

Flowering

Flowering specimens may be seen throughout the year.

Flower Colours

White,Yellow

Fruiting

Fruiting specimens may be seen throughout the year.

Propagation Technique

Very easy to grow from fresh fruit and semi-hardwood cuttings. This species forms an attractive small shrub and is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and conditions from drought prone sites to frosty situations. It does best in infertile soils.

Threats

Habitat loss through development, land clearance, succession, track maintenance and competition with weeds.

Chromosome No.

2n = 36

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 11 Aug 2015