Leptinella conjuncta
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
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 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: DPT, RR
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledonous composites
Flower colours
Cream, White
Detailed description
Creeping perennial herb forming small open patches. Branches in clusters of up to 4 radiating from a flowering node. Leaves 1-pinnatifid, pectinate, 6–20 × 2–5mm, blade elliptic or obovate, coriaceous, moderately to densely villous, dark green to brown-green; pinnae in 5–12 pairs, 1.0–2.5 × 0.3–0.5mm, oblong, obovate or linear, apex obtuse to subacute, margin entire, terminal pinna and distal 1–3 pairs of pinnae usually joined together. Peduncles longer than leaves, 20–100mm long, 0.4–0.6mm diameter, sparsely to densely villous. Monoecious, capitula up to 5mm diameter. Involucre with phyllaries 12–24 in 2 or more subequal rows, oblong, dark green or grey-green, with 1–3 dark veins sometimes obscured by sparse to dense hairs, margin wide, brown, scarious. Pistillate florets 12–24, in 1 row; 2.0–2.7mm long, white, cream or translucent, often with 1–2 dark longitudinal stripes along corolla and ovary; corolla 1.0–1.1 × 0.5–0.6mm, lobes 4–5, each 0.1–0.2mm long; ovary 1.0–1.2 × 0.4–0.5mm, style c. 1.2mm long, stigmatic arms 0.1–0.15mm long. Staminate florets 20–50, in 3–5-rows, 2.5–2.9mm long, white, cream or translucent, often with 1–2 dark stripes along corolla and ovary, corolla with scattered sessile glandular trichomes; corolla tube 1.2–1.4 × 0.3–0.35mm, partially translucent to white; inflated corolla 0.7–0.9 × 0.9–1.0mm, translucent; corolla lobes 4–5, 0.5–0.6mm long, white, triangular, patent; ovary 0.7–0.8 × 0.25–0.35mm; stigma c. 0.2 mm diameter; filaments 1.0–1.2mm long, partially translucent to white; anthers 0.7–0.8mm long, yellow. Achenes up to 2.1 × 0.7mm, ± compressed, biconvex, golden-brown, scarcely to deeply wrinkled.
Similar taxa
Leptinella conjuncta is most similar to the L. pectinata complex but is distinguished from members of that complex by leaves that are densely hairy, 6–10mm long, and with the terminal pinna and 1–3 lateral pinnae conspicuously joined near their base; a peduncle that is shorter and more slender; a smaller capitulum; and fewer and shorter pistillate and staminate florets.
Distribution
Endemic. South Island. Central Otago (the catchments of the Clutha, Nevis, and Manuherikia rivers), and southern Canterbury (Mackenzie Basin).
Habitat
Inner montane basins and river terraces. Known from dry, semi-arid and rain-shadow areas where it predominantly grows on terraces, terrace edges, and old river channels of gravels and alluvium.
Threats
The main threats to Leptinella conjuncta are habitat modification for horticultural and agricultural purposes and competition from naturalised species. The small size of most populations means that with disturbance the species could easily be lost from a particular place. The 2004 status shown above is taken from de Lange et al. (2004) in which the taxon was listed as the undescribed species Leptinella (a) (CHR 515297; Clutha River).
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Synonyms
None (first described in 2009)
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
October – April
Fruiting
October – May
Propagation technique
Easily grown in cultivation. Best propagated by division. An attractive free flowering and rather adaptable button daisy that does well in a free draining, sunny situation. It does not relish excessive moisture and humidity.
Other information
Etymology
leptinella: From the Greek word leptos (meaning slender, thin or delicate), referring to the ovary
Chromosome number
2n = 104
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 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: Sp
2012 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: Sp
2009 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: Sp
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Regional conservation statuses
Otago: 2025 | Regionally Threatened – Regionally Critical | Qualifiers: DPR, NR, NStr, PF, RF, RR, TL
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 “Conservation Status of Indigenous Vascular Plants in Otago, 2025” Jarvie S et al. (2025) report.
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Heenan, P.B. 2009: A diminutive new species of Leptinella (Asteraceae) from arid habitats of the South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 127–132.
Attribution
Description from: Heenan (2009).