Mazus novaezeelandiae subsp. novaezeelandiae
Common names
dwarf musk
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.
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 to New Zealand.
Habitat
This taxon prefers lowland, wet, sometimes swampy forest, pasture and is occasionally found on forest margins.
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 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DPS, DPT
Threats
Very susceptible to disturbance, habitat clearance and modification including stock trampling.
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
Flowering occurs in November.
Fruiting
Fruiting capsules are found from December to April.
Other information
Etymology
mazus: Tear (after protuberance on throat of flower)
novaezeelandiae: Of New Zealand
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 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
2012 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
2009 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
2004 | Serious Decline
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Heenan, P. B. 1998: Mazus novaezeelandiae (Scrophulariaceae): taxonomy, distribution, habitats, and conservation. New Zealand Journal of Botany 36(3): 407-416.
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. novaezeelandiae Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/mazus-novaezeelandiae-subsp-novaezeelandiae/ (Date website was queried)