Species

Plagiochila pacifica

Common Name(s)

Liverwort

Current Conservation Status

2009 - 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

2004 - Threatened - Nationally Critical

Qualifiers

2009 - IE, OL

Authority

Plagiochila pacifica Mitt.

Family

Plagiochilaceae

Flora Category

Non Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Liverwort

Synonyms

Plagiochila kermadecensis J.J.Engel. et Merrill

Distribution

Endemic. Kermadec Islands, Raoul Island

Features

Plants bright emerald green, large, 40–60 mm long, 8.0–8.5 mm wide with leaves, not glossy, sparingly branched, branching exclusively lateral-intercalary, arising from a creeping rhizome; stem about 450–500 microns in diamter; rhizoids numerous on rhizomes; stem surface partially exposed. Leaves moderately to closely imbricate, oblong-ovate, 3.8–4.3 mm long, 1.9–2.1 mm wide, dorsal leaf base moderately decurrent, margin somewhat recurved, apex subacute, ventral margin arched, sac recurved, entire or with 2 or 3 teeth, moderately decurrent at base; whole leaf margin dentate, teeth 3–6 cells long, 2 or 3 cells wide at base, terminal cell slightly elongated; subapical and median cells 20–23 x 22–24 microns, basal cells 24–27 x 45–60 microns, trigones small, walls moderately thickened throughout, cuticle smooth. Underleaves vestigial. Male plants not seen. Gynoecia terminal, with 1 or 2 innovations, bracts small, perianth obovoid, 4.3 mm long, 2.1 mm wide, keels unwinged. Sporophyte unknown.

Fruiting

Unknown

Threats

A widespread and abundant species which is listed only because it is endemic to Raoul Island.

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

References
Engel, J.J.; Merril, G.L.S. 1999: Austral hepaticae 31. two new species of plagiochila(dum.) dum.(plagiochilaceae) from New Zealand. Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory 87: 295-300.

Fact Sheet Prepared for NZPCN by: P.J. de Lange June 2009. Description adapted from Engel & Merrill (1999).

This page last updated on 19 Feb 2012