The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

It is found in a Cushion plant coastal community. Is very small, leaves not visible without a lens. Leaves are like a scoop, with a keel on the inside scoop surface, and face back to back as they emerge on what appears to be alternate side (but not opposite) of stem. Every leaf has a sheath. Leaves fleshy, red/orange tipped, stems brown or orange when elongated. Platforms or scars where leaves have fallen off. can't send my drawing as the file is too big.

Can you post up an image please?

Hi Kath - if you send me the file at [email protected] I'll resize it and post it on the forum for others to comment.

Here is the photo Kath was having trouble posting

My guess is Muehlenbeckia axillaris. It is illustrated in Alan Mark's alpine plants book. Yes a guide to the small plants will be useful - i am working on something, but it is 3-4 years away at the moment.

I'll look forward to your book, I've found a few small leaved plants which I can't identify. I didn't show a scale. the leaves are diamond shaped and 1.5 x 1.5mm, which might be too small for Muehlenbeckia axillaris. The most characteristic thing is the trowel shape and facing back to back, with keel on inside of trowel. It might be a form of Pimelia prostrata var. alpina (microphylla). But difficult to tell. I'll visit the area again and get a better look.

Mike is quite correct. Muehlenbeckia axillaris.

Thanks for your suggestions. Still not sure what it is. Went down to cushion plant commuity today but couldn't find it among the encroaching lupins. Lotsa orchids. Here is the list from Otago Botanical society trip there in 2007. Could it be one of these ... Luzulu celata, Leucopogon fraseri, Colobanthus muelleri, among others?

Hi Kath, check out http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=2204. Muehlenbeckia axillaris is in that area. Not likely to be any of those you mention