Haloragis erecta subsp. cartilaginea
Common name
Surville Cliffs haloragis
Synonyms
Haloragis cartilaginea Cheeseman
Family
Haloragaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Dicotyledonous Herbs 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.
HALESC
Chromosome number
2n = 14
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 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: OL
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: CD, ST, OL
2004 | Range Restricted
Distribution
Endemic. North Island only, where it is supposedly confined to the 120 ha exposure of serpentinised peridotite rocks at the Surville Cliffs, North Cape. However similar plants have been found elsewhere in Te Paki, and in 2011 this subspecies was found growing on peridotite and gabbro east of the North Cape serpentinized zone
Habitat
Abundant on open serpentinite scree, as gully heads, on cliff faces and on bare clay pans. Dislikes competition. This is one of the few Surville Cliff ultramafic endemics to have recolonised the former workings of the serpentinite quarry.
Features
Decumbent, perennial herb forming sprawling patches up to 300 x 150 mm; stems numerous, tetragonous, usually dark maroon or purple-black, minutely pubescent, with larger hairs on the angles. Leaves opposite, rather closely spaced, broadly ovate to ovate-oblong, dark brownish-green to orange-green, coriaceous, minutely and harshly scabrid, blade 14-20 × 10-13 mm, petiole very short and pubescent, margins regularly shallowly serrate. Inflorescences, many-flowered racemes terminating branches, leafy bracts subtending clusters of flowers and bracteoles. Flower c.3.5 mm long, on short pubescent pedicel; sepals pubescent, triangular, exceeding ovary length and reaching halfway up petals; petals c.3× ovary length, minutely scabrid on keel; stamens 8, anthers as long as petals, filaments very short; ovary 4-lobed, styles 4, short, erect, stigma covered with short lax multicellular hairs. Fruit c.3.5 mm. long (including calyx-lobes) subpyriform, smooth and cylindrical above, below swollen into 4 rounded lobes, rugose, rarely and then usually only slightly winged; pericarp woody, loculi 4, 1-seeded.
Similar taxa
None. Haloragis erecta (Murray) Oken subsp. erecta differs by its mostly erect rather than decumbent growth habit and lanceolate to elliptic or oblong-elliptic leaves. However, some forms of H. erecta subsp. erecta (especially those found along the South Wellington Coast) approach subsp. cartilaginea, differing only by their narrower, less harshly scabrid leaves.
Flowering
Throughout the year
Fruiting
Throughout the year
Propagation technique
Easily grown from cuttings and fresh seed. Forms a small creeping to semi-erect shrub. Ideal for exposed dry soils. Does best if the soil is enriched with a magnesium fertiliser but this is not necessary.
Threats
A locally common range restricted endemic listed only because of the small geographic area it occupies.
Etymology
haloragis: Salt grapes
erecta: Erect
cartilaginea: Like cartilage
Where To Buy
Not commercially available
Taxonomic Notes
In cultivation, over time plants become more lax and the leaves less harsh textured.
| Haloragis erecta subsp. cartilaginea |
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (3 November 2005). Description based on Webb et al. (1988) and observations made from fresh material and herbarium specimens.
References and further reading
Webb, C. J.; Sykes, W. R.; Garnock-Jones, P. J. 1988: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. IV. Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons. Christchurch, New Zealand, Botany Division, D.S.I.R.
Citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Haloragis erecta subsp. cartilaginea Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/haloragis-erecta-subsp-cartilaginea/ (Date website was queried)