Anisotome patula
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Detailed description
Tap-rooted, perennial, grey-green herb forming lax rosettes. Tap-root branching near ground level into (1-)3(-8) vegetative shoots. Leaves 3-8 per rosette, up to 200 mm long, rather lax, rarely suberect, pinnatifid, fleshy, grey-green to yellow-green. Petiole 50-100 mm, sheath with marginal wings, brown to brown-grey, chartaceous near apex. Leaflets 3-10 pairs, distant, sessile, 5-20 x 2-5 mm, rather variable, linear, cuneiform, deltoid to flabellate, pinnatifid, pinnatisect to deeply toothed; terminal leaflets tripartite. Cauline leaves, sparse, reduced in size, grey-green leaflets 2(-5), linear, pinnatisect or deeply toothed 1-3 times. Stems (1-)3(-8) suberect to decumbent and rather lax, 100-250 mm long. Inflorescence a lax, compound umbel. Peduncles (1-)3(-5) with 1-3 simple umbels, these subtended by 1-2 primary, narrow linear, 2-8 mm long, acuminate bracts. Flowers white, petals 0.2-0.5 x 0.2-0.5 mm, ovate, elliptic. Mericarps 2.5-3 x 0.5-1 mm, narrowly ellipsoid grey-brown.
Similar taxa
Anisotome patula has been included within Gingidia enysii (Kirk) J.W.Dawson. From that species it can be distinguished by its rather lax basal leaves whose leaflets though rather variable are usually much longer, narrower, more deeply divided and/or distinctly flabellate. The inflorescences are borne on very long, flaccid stems, and in turn the umbels are support by very long, flaccid peduncles. Some intermediate forms do exist and these require further study.
Distribution
Endemic. South Island, South Canterbury where it is known from a few populations at Pareora, Manahune, and Tengawai. However, the exact distribution and status of this species is still unclear (B.P.J. Molloy pers. comm.).
Habitat
Confined to limestone where it grows in crevices, joints and on the associated deeply weathered rendzina soils. Prefers open sites within little if any associated vegetation cover.
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2023 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: RR
Threats
Under severe threat from the spread of Hieraceum pilosella L. and pasture grasses, habitat loss due to changes in stocking regimes, and through browsing from feral goats. Limestone quarrying is a long-term threat, while the very small populations are vulnerable to erosion, boulder and rock falls and erosion
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Synonyms
Ligusticum patulum Kirk
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
December - April
Fruiting
December - April
Propagation technique
Can be grown from fresh seed. Does best when planted in a free draining soil enriched with lime. Excellent in a pot. Prone to powdery mildew in humid climates.
Other information
Etymology
anisotome: Unequal sided
patula: Spreading
Chromosome number
2n = 22
Previous conservation statuses
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: CD, DP
2012 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
2009 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
2004 | Not Threatened
Referencing and citations
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange (28 August 2004). Description from fresh plants and herbarium specimens.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Anisotome patula Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/anisotome-patula/ (Date website was queried)