Mazus novaezeelandiae subsp. impolitus f. impolitus
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Flower colours
White, Yellow
Detailed description
A perennial, creeping herb forming compact, leafy rosettes, leaves spoon-shaped, dark green to yellow-green 20–75 mm long. The margins of the leaves may be pigmented brown. The erect inflorescence is often held well above the foliage and may bear from 1 to 5 Mimulus-like flowers, these are white with a yellow throat. It is distinguished from subsp. novaezeelandiae by its dull green leaves that are hairless or only sparsely hairy.
Similar taxa
Mazus pumilio which has blue or lilac flowers and a finely toothed leaf margin. This predominantly Australian species is known in New Zealand from only one site in Northland, but is now sold by many garden centres as M. novazeelandiae.
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: North Island, South Island (Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago).
Habitat
M. novaezeelandiae subsp. impolitus prefers coastal sites, particularly damp hollows and sand flats, amongst sandy turf and coastal pasture species; but has also been found inland on river gravels in Otago. Swamp and stream margins, soggy groung, river flats beneath tawa and kahikatea.
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 Vulnerable | Qualifiers: DPS, DPT, De, RR
Threats
Very susceptible to disturbance, habitat clearance and modification including stock trampling.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
November
Fruiting
December–April
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
Etymology
mazus: Tear (after protuberance on throat of flower)
novaezeelandiae: Of New Zealand
impolitus: Unpolished, matt
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.
MNSIFI
Chromosome number
2n = 38
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 Endangered | Qualifiers: DP, RR
2012 | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable | Qualifiers: DP
2009 | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable | Qualifiers: DP
2004 | Serious Decline
Regional conservation statuses
Auckland: 2025 | Regionally Threatened – Regionally Critical | Qualifiers: Sp, DPS, DPT, PF, RR
The regional threat classification system leverages off the national assessments in the NZTCS, providing information relevant for the regional context. Auckland conservation status information is sourced from the “Conservation status of vascular plant species in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland” Simpkins E et al. (2025) report.
Otago: 2025 | Regionally Threatened – Regionally Critical | Qualifiers: NR, NStr, OL, PF
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 PB. 1998. Mazus novaezeelandiae (Scrophulariaceae): taxonomy, distribution, habitats, and conservation. New Zealand Journal of Botany 36(3): 407–416. https://doi.org/10.1080/0028825X.1998.9512579.
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (30 August 2003). For more information see Heenan (1998).
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Mazus novaezeelandiae subsp. impolitus f. impolitus Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/mazus-novaezeelandiae-subsp-impolitus-f-impolitus/ (Date website was queried)