Alseuosmia pusilla
Family
Alseuosmiaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
Yes
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
ALSPUS
Chromosome number
2n = 18
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Brief description
Small shrub, inconspicuous unless in flower or fruit. Leaves glossy, often with a red margin and sometimes with a red-flecked surface. Flowers white, tubular, clustered, sweet smelling. Fruit red, fleshy, conspicuous.
Distribution
Endemic. North Island from Te Moehau and Mt Pirongia south, mainly montane. South Island, in the west only from North-West Nelson to near Okarito
Flower colours
Green, White
Life cycle
Fleshy berries dispersed by fruigivory (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Can be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings though these strike with varying degrees of success. Seed is often hard to germinate. Prefers a semi-shaded site in a cool place with permanently damp soil. Slow growing and prone to sudden collapse during dry spells. However, next to A.macrophylla this is the easiest species to cultivate
Etymology
alseuosmia: Perfume grove
pusilla: Small
References and further reading
Thorsen, M. J.; Dickinson, K. J. M.; Seddon, P. J. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 2009 Vol. 11 No. 4 pp. 285-309