Isolepis caligenis
Synonyms
Scirpus caligenis var. tristigmatosa V.J.Cook, Scirpus caligenis V.J.Cook
Family
Cyperaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Sedges
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.
ISOCAL
Current conservation status
The threat classification 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) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website 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. Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – a suggested threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: DP
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | Not Threatened
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Distribution
Endemic. North and South Islands, from the Kaimanawa Range south to at least Otago.
Habitat
Mostly montane (700-1400 m a.s.l.). In damp ground within forest, and on the margins of streams and lakes. Usually in shaded sites.
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland).
OBL: Obligate Wetland
Almost always is a hydrophyte, rarely in uplands (non-wetlands).
Features
Bright green, rhizomatous, leafy, tufted plants. Tufts usually distant. Rhizome c.0.5 mm diameter. Culms 10-100 x c.0.5 mm, stiff. Leaves 2-5, usually 1 at least > culm, c.0.5 mm wide, often curved, concave-convex, plano-convex; lowermost leaves reduced to brown fibrillose sheaths. Inflorescence of 1(-2) spikelets; subtending bract much > spikelet; up to 30 mm, long. Spikelets 2-5 x 1-4 mm, ovate-elliptical to suborbicular, pale green to pale brown. Glumes numerous, 1.5-2.5 mm long, white and membranous, acute, occasionally with a red-brown patch on either side, or with minute dots towards apex, keel green, usually excurrent; 2 lowermost glumes frequently larger than rest, to 3.5 mm long, the lower with much extended keel. Hypogynous bristles 0. Stamens 1-3. Style-branches 2-3. Nut c.1 mm long, slightly < 1 mm wide, suborbicular, unequally biconvex, compressed with edges flattened, apiculate, surface pearly grey, finely reticulate, appearing smooth.
Similar taxa
Easily recognised by bright green, stiffly erect, leafy tufts; culms mostly > 20 mm tall; by the conspicuous, large, whitish spikelets (usually > 3 mm wide); and pearl-grey, compressed nut. Most similar to Isolepis basilaris Hook.f. which differs by the usually shorter culms; spikelets < 2 mm wide; and by the dorsally rounded, dark brown to almost black nut.
Flowering
October - December
Fruiting
December - May
Life cycle
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 11: 285-309
Propagation technique
Easily grown from fresh seed, and from rooted pieces. Prefers a cool, shady, permanently damp site. Best grown in a pot. Dislikes humid climates.
Etymology
isolepis: From the Greek isos (equal) and lepis (scale)
Where To Buy
Not Commercially available
Attribution
Description adapted from Moore and Edgar (1970)
References and further reading
Johnson, A. T. and Smith, H. A (1986). Plant Names Simplified: Their pronunciation, derivation and meaning. Landsman Bookshop Ltd: Buckenhill, UK.
Moore, L.B.; Edgar, E. 1970: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. II. Government Printer, Wellington.
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 11: 285-309