Species

Plagiochila arbuscula var. rekohuensis

Etymology

arbuscula: From the Latin arbor, meaning like a small tree

Common Name(s)

liverwort

Current Conservation Status

2009 - 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

Qualifiers

2009 - IE, OL

Authority

Plagiochila arbuscula var. rekohuensis J.J.Engel et G.L.Merr.

Family

Plagiochilaceae

Flora Category

Non Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Liverwort

Distribution

Endemic. New Zealand: Rekohu (Chatham Island) - shores of Lake Rakeinui

Habitat

Known from one collection made from peaty ground under dense tarahinau (Dracophyllum arboreum) - matipo (Myrsine chathamica) forest on the border of a peat lake in the southern tablelands of Rekohu (Chatham Island) (Engel & Smith-Merrill 2010; de Lange 2011).

Similar Taxa

Distinguished from Plagiochila arbuscula var. arbuscula by the distinctive toothing of the dorsal margin of the foliage leaves, which in var. rekohuensis are toothed along the base rather than, as is typical of this var. arbuscula along the distal portion of the leaves. Further, the male bracts of var. rekohuensis are sharply acute rather than deeply toothed.

Threats

Known only from one gathering. At the site in which it was collected it was reasonably common but at the time it was collected it was not recognised as distinct from P. arbuscula so the extent of the population was not noted. Although the location in which it was found is part of a secure reserve system further survey for this Plagiochila is clearly needed. This variety was treated as 'Data Deficient' by Glenny et al. (2011) who listed it as Plagiochila aff. obscura (AK 302647; Chatham Islands).

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Attribution

Fact Sheet Prepared for NZPCN by: P.J. de Lange 14 November 2011.

References and further reading

de Lange, P.J. 2011: Finally the Chatham Islands have an endemic liverwort. Chatham Islands website (http://www.chathams.co.nz/content/view/384/116/ accessed 14 November 2011).

Engel, J.J.; Smith Merrill, G.L. 2010: Studies on New Zealand Hepaticae. 39-55. More new taxa, combinations, typifications and synonymy in Plagiochila from New Zealand (Plagiochilaceae). Nova Hedwigia 91: 501-517.

Glenny, D.; Fife, A.J.; Brownsey, P.J.; Renner, M.A.M.; Braggins, J.E.; Beever, J.E.; Hitchmough, R. 2011: Threatened and uncommon bryophytes of New Zealand (2010 Revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 49: 305-327.

This page last updated on 25 Jul 2014