Lateristachys diffusa
Biostatus
Native
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Lycophytes (clubmosses, selaginella, quillworts)
Flower colours
No flowers
Detailed description
Main stems up to 200 mm long, prostrate, rooting at intervals. Branchlet systems scattered along main stems, prostrate, appressed to substratum, but with tips upturned, dichotomously branched and ± rosette-forming, often imbricate. Leaves spirally arranged, imbricate, curved upwards, thick, 3.0–5.5 mm long, 0.5–0.8 mm wide,linear-subulate to linear-lanceolate, green and then often tipped reddish brown, or reddish brown. Strobili solitary, 6–16 mm long, dark reddish brown, lateral or terminal, sessile. Sporophylls imbricate, ovate, acuminate; bases coalescent; margins entire or with a few obscure teeth. (Description adapted from Chinnock (1998) and Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000)).
Similar taxa
In its extreme state it is easily distinguished from the most common form of Lateristachys lateralis by its dichotomously-branched, prostrate stems. However, forms of L. lateralis growing in restiad peat in Waikato and on the Chatham Islands, and plants of L. lateralis in North-west Nelson appear to intergrade with L. diffusa. Australian treatments (e.g., Chinnock 1998) keep both species but, based on field observations in New Zealand, it would seem that the status of L. diffusa needs to be investigated further.
Distribution
Indigenous. New Zealand: North Island (from the Raukumara Range southwards), South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Chatham and Auckland Islands. Also Australia.
Habitat
Lowland to alpine (mostly montane to alpine in northern part of range), in peat bogs, pakihi country, on coal measures, fell field and on poorly drained, nutrient impoverished soils.
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2023 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: SO
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Synonyms
Lycopodium laterale var. diffusum (R.Br.) Hook.f.; Lepidotis diffusa (R.Br.) Rothm.; Lycopodiella ramulosa (Kirk) B.Øllg.; Lycopodium diffusum R.Br.; Lycopodium ramulosum Kirk; Lateristachys ramulosa (Kirk) Holub; Lycopodiella diffusa (R.Br.) B.Øllg.
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
N.A.
Fruiting
N.A.
Propagation technique
Transplants can be grown moderately easily if planted in peat within a pot which is then kept partially immersed in a tub of water.
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). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
FACW: Facultative Wetland
Usually is a hydrophyte but occasionally found in uplands (non-wetlands).
Other information
Where To Buy
Not commercially available
Etymology
diffusa: Of spreading growth
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.
LYCDIF
Previous conservation statuses
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: SO
2012 | Not Threatened
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Regional conservation statuses
Otago: 2024 | At Risk – Regionally Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: DPS, DPT, RR, Sp
The regional threat classification system leverages off the national assessments in the NZTCS, providing information relevant for the regional context. Otago conservation status information is sourced from the “Regional conservation status of indigenous vascular plants in Otago” Jarvie S et al. (2024) report.
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Brownsey PJ, Smith-Dodsworth JC. 2000. New Zealand Ferns and Allied Plants. David Bateman, Auckland, NZ. 168 p.
Chinnock RJ. 1998. Lycopodiaceae. Flora of Australia 48, Ferns Gymnosperms and allied groups: 66–85. ABRS/CSIRO Victoria, Australia.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 16 March 2011. Description adapted from Chinnock (1998) and Brownsey & Smith-Dodsworth (2000).
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Lateristachys diffusa Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/lateristachys-diffusa/ (Date website was queried)