The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Pimelea prostrata subsp. Ventosa

Etymology

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

Current Conservation Status

2018 - 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

2012 - Data Deficient
2009 - Not Threatened
2004 - Not Threatened

Authority

Pimelea prostrata subsp. ventosa C.J.Burrows

Family

Thymelaeaceae

Brief Description

Low growing shrub with rough twigs bearing dense stiff hairs towards the tip and bearing pairs of blue-green leaves that join the stem at a small bump, hairy white flowers and white fruit inhabiting southern South Island coast. Leaves 4.5-10mm long by 2.3-4mm wide, often red edged.

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Synonyms

None (first described in 2009)

Distribution

Endemic. South Island: southeastern Otago, south coast of Southland and islands in Foveaux Strait and South-western Fiordland.

Habitat

Coastal, on rock outcrops, cliffs, sand dunes.

Features

A small to medium-sized, sparsely branched, prostrate shrub with main stems to 300 mm long. Branching both sympodial and lateral but the former is more common. Internodes 1–3 mm long, with a sparse to moderately dense cover of fine but stiff hair. Node buttresses dark brown, short (0.3 mm or sometimes to 0.6 mm), lunate, moderately conspicuous on leafless stems. The internodes of young stems are covered by a brown pellicle which fragments as they grow, leaving a muricate patterning. Leaves ascendant, imbricate, or more distant, on short (0.8–1.0 mm) red petioles. Lamina broad elliptic to ovate, 4.5–10 × 2.3–4 mm, light green, glaucous, slightly fleshy, adaxially concave or very slightly keeled, margins thickened, often red, upturned; midvein obscure abaxially, obtuse, base cuneate. Inflorescences terminal, 4–6-flowered. Involucral bracts 4, larger than adjacent leaves (5 × 7 mm). Receptacle very hairy. Flowers white, very hairy outside; inside hairless. Female tube 2.5 mm long, ovary portion 2 mm, calyx lobes 1.5 × 1 mm; hermaphrodite tube 4.2 mm long, ovary portion very wrinkled, 2 mm, calyx lobes 3 × 2 mm. Ovary with a tuft of short hair at summit and fewer hairs down to the base. Fruits ovoid to globose, fleshy, white, opaque, 4.9 × 3.0 mm. Seeds ovoid, 3.2 × 1.8 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. venotsa is distinguished from subsp. prostrata, subsp. seismica, subsp. thermalis and subsp. vulcanica by the lunate node buttresses; relatively densely hairy young stems that become muricate with age, and by the obtuse leaf tips.

Flowering

October - May

Flower Colours

White

Fruiting

November - 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) is vague about details. The implication is that this subspecies is secure in Fiordland but that it needs better survey to ascertain its status elsewhere. Based on those statements Pimelea prostrata subsp. ventosa would probably be listed as Data Deficient.

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

This page last updated on 31 Mar 2014