The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Pimelea prostrata subsp. thermalis

Etymology

Pimelea: from the Greek pimele, referring to the seeds
prostrata: prostrate

Common Name(s)

pinatoro

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Data Deficient

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

Pimelea prostrata subsp. thermalis C.J.Burrows

Family

Thymelaeaceae

Brief Description

Low growing shrub with many short branches on main stems bearing crowded pairs of blue-green leaves that are ridged on the underside and that join the stem at a small ridge, hairy white flowers and white fruit inhabiting north from Hawkes Bay. Leaves 5-8mm long by 2-3mm wide.

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Synonyms

Pimelea rugulosa Colenso

Distribution

Endemic. North Island: North Auckland and South Auckland, including Waikato, King Country, Hauraki Plains, Bay of Plenty; Rotorua (thermal region), northern part of the Volcanic Plateau; Hawke’s Bay, mainly inland, sometimes near the coast.

Habitat

Coastal to montane. Gumlands, thermal deposits, old volcanic deposits, short grassland, shrubland.

Features

A moderately large, much-branched shrub with prostrate habit. Main stems to 600 mm long, dark brown, stout and stiff or flexible. The primary lateral branches are usually long and flexible or sometimes straight and stiff. They usually bear abundant, short, secondary, very leafy laterals. Young branchlets are clad, sparsely, in short hair. Internodes 2–5 mm long, shorter on laterals. Older stems glabrous, dark brown to grey-brown. Node buttresses dark brown, extending the length of the internode, not prominent on leafless stems. Leaves ascendant then patent, on very short (0.1–0.2 mm), often dark red petioles, or sessile. Lamina narrow-elliptic or elliptic to oblong or ovate, 5–8 × 2–3 mm, medium to dull green, sometimes glaucous, slightly keeled, acute. Midvein evident abaxially, sometimes red. Leaves on secondary lateral branchlets relatively small. Inflorescences terminal on branchlets, 4–6-flowered. Involucral bracts 4, smaller than, the same size as, or larger than adjacent ordinary leaves (6.0 × 2.5 mm). Flowers white, moderately hairy outside; inside hairless. Female tube 2.2 mm long, ovary portion 2 mm, calyx lobes 1.0 × 0.8 mm; hermaphodite tube 4 mm long, ovary portion 1.8 mm, calyx lobes 2 × 1 mm. Ovary sparsely hairy at summit. Fruits ovoid, white, opaque 5 × 3 mm. Seeds 2.7 × 1.5 mm.

Similar Taxa

Plants of the Pimelea prostrata complex are distinguished by the prostrate to decumbent growth habit; by the glabrous to sparse or moderate hair covering on young stem internodes and by the thin and pliable, completely glabrous leaves with stomata clearly visible on both leaf surfaces. Pimelea prostrata subsp. thermalis is distinguished from subsp. prostrata, subsp. seismica, subsp. ventosa and subsp. vulcanica by the node buttresses elongate to covering the entire internode length; prominent, secondary lateral branches and by the true leaves which are slightly keeled, up to 8.0 × 2–3 mm and which have acute apices

Flowering

September - May

Flower Colours

White

Fruiting

October - July

Propagation Technique

Easily grown from semi-hardwood cuttings and rooted pieces. Seed is difficult to germinate. Best grown in a well drained soil in full sun. An excellent plant for the rockery.

Threats

Burrows (2009) states that this subspecies was formerly widespread in North and South Auckland but that it has declined from these areas and that it would require management to stop further losses. However, hard data to substantiate these claims was not presented, as such this subspecies would probably merit listing as Data Deficient (simply as a precautionary measure) until further information is made available.

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 27 Mar 2014