Korthalsella clavata
Synonyms
Viscum clavatum Kirk, Korthalsella lindsayi var. clavata (Kirk) Danser
Family
Viscaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
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.
KORCLA
Chromosome number
2n = 28
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.
2018 | At Risk – Declining
Previous conservation statuses
2017 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
2012 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: Sp
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Brief description
Flattened beaded succulent very small (to 8cm) shrub growing on twigs of another plant. Leaves (flattened stems) 5-10mm long by 1.5-3.5mm wide, widest towards tip. Flowers tiny, fruit small, green, on short spike.
Distribution
Endemic. North and South Islands from near Whakamaru south to Cape Turakirae and the Wairarapa. In the South Island throughout, though notably more common in the east.
Habitat
Coastal to subalpine. Usually found parasitising shrubs within grey scrub communities, also found on shrubs and trees within montane alluvial forest. No clear host preference is as yet evident, though regional patterns may exist (this needs study).
Flowering
October - March
Flower colours
Green
Fruiting
October - June
Life cycle
Fleshy berries are dispersed by ballistic projection, attachment and possibly frugivory (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Difficult - should not be removed from the wild
Etymology
korthalsella: After Korthals, botanist
clavata: From the Latin clavatus ‘club-shaped’
Where To Buy
Not commercially available.
References and further reading
Nickrent, D.L.; Malécot, V.; Vidal-Russell, R.; Der, J.P. 2010: A revised classification of Santalales. Taxon 59: 538-558.
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