Callitriche muelleri
Common name
Mueller’s starwort
Synonyms
Callitriche macropteryx Hegelm., Callitriche microphylla Colenso
Family
Plantaginaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
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.
CALMUE
Chromosome number
2n = 10
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
Distribution
Indigenous. In New Zealand known from the Kermadec, Three Kings, North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. Also in Australia.
Habitat
Coastal to montane in damp, muddy ground or in shallow seasonal pools, along lake and stream sides. Often in dense forest.
Features
Short-lived perennial to annual herb forming matted patches. Stems filiform, much-branched, up to 200 mm long when submerged usually much less above water. Leaves on filiform petioles up to 3 mm long; lamina 2-5 x 1-5 mm, bright green, rhomboid to suborbicular, membranous, apex acute, cuneately narrowed to base, margins usually with 1-2 prominent teeth. Flowers in axils, with male and females together or solitary; shortly pedunculate, ebracteate; stamens and styles very hsort. mericarp obovate, laterally compressed, 1.0-1.3 mm long; surfaces dull, reticulate or with a raised central part in each cell, body red-brown, dark red-brown or dark brown or light brown to grey-brown, with a pale orange-yellow to light orange-yellow wing.
Similar taxa
Not easily confused with other indigenous and naturalised species of Callitriche. The rhomboidal toothed leaves in particular readily distinguishes this species from the others.
Flowering
October - December
Fruiting
November - March
Life cycle
Mericarps possibly by water and attachment (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easily ground from rooted pieces and seed. Can become invasive but makes apleasant ground cove rin shaded, poorly drained soils.
Etymology
callitriche: From the Greek kalli ‘beautiful’ and thrix ‘hair’, referring to the beautiful stems
muelleri: Named after Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, 19th century German/Australian botanist and founder of the National Herbarium of Victoria
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange for NZPCN (1 June 2013)
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
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Callitriche muelleri Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/callitriche-muelleri/ (Date website was queried)