Epipterygium opararense
Common name
Moss
Synonyms
None
Family
Bryaceae
Flora category
Non-vascular – Native
Current conservation status
- Conservation status of New Zealand mosses, 2014 (PDF, 583.87 kB)
The conservation status of 109 New Zealand moss taxa was assessed using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). Four taxa and one undescribed entity that were not included in previous assessments have been added to the list. The conservation status of only two taxa has changed in this assessment. A full list is presented, along with a statistical summary and brief notes on the changes. This list replaces all previous NZTCS lists for mosses. Authors: Jeremy R. Rolfe, Allan J. Fife, Jessica E. Beever, Patrick J. Brownsey and Rodney A. Hitchmough.
- Conservation status of New Zealand hornworts and liverworts, 2014 (PDF, 695.44 kB)
The conservation status of the New Zealand hornwort and liverwort flora is reassessed using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). A full list is presented, along with a statistical summary and brief notes on the most important changes. This list replaces all previous NZTCS lists for New Zealand hornworts and liverworts which previously had been part of a generic bryophyte conservation status assessment that included mosses. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, David Glenny, John Braggins, Matt Renner, Matt von Konrat, John Engel, Catherine Reeb and Jeremy Rolfe.
Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2009 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: OL
Previous conservation status
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand, South Island, near Karamea
Detailed description
Pale green or brownish green apparently dioicous moss with metallic sheen when dry. Stems pale yellowish or reddish brown, several arising from a common point near base, unbranched up to 15 mm tall, 180-210 micrometre diameter, base with nearly smooth yellowish brown rhizoids. Leaves distichously arranged, asymmetric (especially toward base), 1.5-2.1 x 0.7-0.85 mm, broadly elliptic from a narrow base, apex broadly acute, reducing in size toward stem base; margins plane, entire rarely finely crenulate, apex often bluntly toothed; costae 1/3-2/3 length of leaves, broad more or less diffuse at base, rarely branched, cell of upper lamina thin walled posenchymatous 90-195 x 21-30 micrometre, at margins firmer-walled, linear, 225-270 micrometre long. Perichaetia terminal, leaves somewhat narrower than vegetative, others similar, archegonia 5-8 lacking paraphyses. Perigonia and sporophytes unknown.
Fruiting
Capsules unknown
Threats
Known from only one extant location where it is very vulnerable to human traffic, plant collectors and flooding. Previously collected from another more distant location in 1981 from where it has not been seen since.
Substrate
Granite boulders and soil in riparian Nothofagus fusca (Hook.f.) Oerst. dominated forest.