The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Can anyone please tell me if this is Anisotome cauticola? It was photographed in Gertrude Valley between Black Lake and the Saddle.

Certainly looks like it to me Kay.

I think this is the Fiordland race of A. haastii - I don't think A. cauticola (an Otago Schist endemic) occurs in Fiordland. However, I am not that familiar with these southerly Anisotome - and I am going on memory of field work done down there in 1994 and 1995. No doubt someone else will correct me if I am wrong.

It is most probably Anisotome capillifolia which can intergrade with A. haastii.
I am posting a photo of A. capillifolia from Mt Burns for comparison

Hi Kay, I think you have a hybrid between A capillifolia and A. haastii. The terminal pinnae width is more A. haastii sized but the length of the hair tips and the untidy rounded leaf arrangement are more A. capillifolia. The terminal pinnae (leaflets) on true A. capillifolia are very fine (<0.5mm wide). The type locality is above McKinnon's Pass in Fiordland (A. cauticola is the +/- schist endemic), so near where you saw your plant. A capillifolia is usually in quite damp sites. A. haastii leaves are usually nearly flattened into a plane and it is found in shaded sites or ledges away from browsing mammals. Dawson does note two forms of A. capillifolia, but doesn't go much beyond saying one is larger, and in the field I have seen large bushy plants and small plants. Identifying Anisotome species can be difficult, and the numerous hybrids that occur make it more difficult.

Hi Kay, I think you have a hybrid between A capillifolia and A. haastii. The terminal pinnae width is more A. haastii sized but the length of the hair tips and the untidy rounded leaf arrangement are more A. capillifolia. The terminal pinnae (leaflets) on true A. capillifolia are very fine (<0.5mm wide). The type locality is above McKinnon's Pass in Fiordland (A. cauticola is the +/- schist endemic - edit - as Peter notes), so near where you saw your plant. A capillifolia is usually in quite damp sites. A. haastii leaves are usually nearly flattened into a plane and it is found in shaded sites or ledges away from browsing mammals. Dawson does note two forms of A. capillifolia, but doesn't go much beyond saying one is larger, and in the field I have seen large bushy plants and small plants. Identifying Anisotome species can be difficult, and the numerous hybrids that occur make it more difficult.

Thank you everyone for your help in identifying this Anisotome, it's much appreciated. Kay.