The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Anisotome patula

Etymology

Anisotome: unequal sided
patula: spreading

Current Conservation Status

2012 - At Risk - Declining

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 - Declining
2004 - Not Threatened

Qualifiers

2012 - DP
2009 - DP

Authority

Anisotome patula (Kirk) Cockayne

Family

Apiaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

Ligusticum patulum Kirk

Distribution

Endemic. South Island, South Canterbury where it is known from a few populations at Pareora, Manahune, and Tengawai. However, the exact distribution and status of this species is still unclear (B.P.J. Molloy pers. comm.).

Habitat

Confined to limestone where it grows in crevices, joints and on the associated deeply weathered rendzina soils. Prefers open sites within little if any associated vegetation cover.

Features

Tap-rooted, perennial, grey-green herb forming lax rosettes. Tap-root branching near ground level into (1-)3(-8) vegetative shoots. Leaves 3-8 per rosette, up to 200 mm long, rather lax, rarely suberect, pinnatifid, fleshy, grey-green to yellow-green. Petiole 50-100 mm, sheath with marginal wings, brown to brown-grey, chartaceous near apex. Leaflets 3-10 pairs, distant, sessile, 5-20 x 2-5 mm, rather variable, linear, cuneiform, deltoid to flabellate, pinnatifid, pinnatisect to deeply toothed; terminal leaflets tripartite. Cauline leaves, sparse, reduced in size, grey-green leaflets 2(-5), linear, pinnatisect or deeply toothed 1-3 times. Stems (1-)3(-8) suberect to decumbent and rather lax, 100-250 mm long. Inflorescence a lax, compound umbel. Peduncles (1-)3(-5) with 1-3 simple umbels, these subtended by 1-2 primary, narrow linear, 2-8 mm long, acuminate bracts. Flowers white, petals 0.2-0.5 x 0.2-0.5 mm, ovate, elliptic. Mericarps 2.5-3 x 0.5-1 mm, narrowly ellipsoid grey-brown.

Similar Taxa

Anisotome patula has been included within Gingidia enysii (Kirk) J.W.Dawson. From that species it can be distinguished by its rather lax basal leaves whose leaflets though rather variable are usually much longer, narrower, more deeply divided and/or distinctly flabellate. The inflorescences are borne on very long, flaccid stems, and in turn the umbels are support by very long, flaccid peduncles. Some intermediate forms do exist and these require further study.

Flowering

December - April

Fruiting

December - April

Propagation Technique

Can be grown from fresh seed. Does best when planted in a free draining soil enriched with lime. Excellent in a pot. Prone to powdery mildew in humid climates.

Threats

Under severe threat from the spread of Hieraceum pilosella L. and pasture grasses, habitat loss due to changes in stocking regimes, and through browsing from feral goats. Limestone quarrying is a long-term threat, while the very small populations are vulnerable to erosion, boulder and rock falls and erosion

Chromosome No.

2n = 22

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 19 May 2014