Species

Brachyglottis laxifolia

Etymology

Brachyglottis: Name comes from the Greek words brachus meaning "short" and glottis meaning "the vocal apparatus of the larynx"
laxifolia: soft-leaved

Common Name(s)

None known

Current Conservation Status

2018 - 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

2012 - Not Threatened
2009 - Not Threatened
2004 - Not Threatened

Authority

Brachyglottis laxifolia (Buchanan) B.Nord.

Family

Asteraceae

Brief Description

Small bushy grey-green shrub bearing yellow daisy-like flowers inhabiting the northern South Island, Leaves 2-6 cm long, tapering to a narrow tip and to a long grooved stalk, white underneath. Flowers 2cm wide with yellow radiating petals in loose clusters.

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

BRALAX

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

Senecio laxifolius Buchanan

Distribution

Endemic. Confined to the South Island where it is endemic to North West Nelson

Similar Taxa

Very close to Brachyglottis greyi (Hook.f.) B.Nord. and best distinguished from that species by the small "tails" at the end of sagitate anthers. Ecologically it is a montane to subalpine species and is never found in coastal situations. Plants also, as a rule, have longer broadly lanceolate leaves

Flower Colours

Yellow

Propagation Technique

Easy from fresh seed or semi hardwood cuttings. Does best in full sun and benefits from a heavy pruning after flowering. Will hybridise readily with most other Brachyglottis so if pure seed is wanted keep plants well apart

Threats

Not Threatened

Chromosome No.

2n = 60

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Where To Buy

Can be purchased from Oratia Native Plant Nurseries ([email protected]). Occasionally offered by specialist native plant nurseries. A distinctive compact form of it, known only from Mt Burnett is becoming popular in cultivation.

Notes on taxonomy

Some botanists consider B. laxifolia is better treated as a subspecies or variety of B. greyi, partly because they are allopatric taxa. However, B. greyi does not have "tails" at the ends of the anthers, and so, until a through revision of the genus is completed it seems wise to retain B. laxifolia at the rank of species.

This page last updated on 27 Aug 2013