Mazus novaezeelandiae subsp. novaezeelandiae
Common name
dwarf musk
Family
Mazaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Chromosome number
2n = 38
Current conservation status
The conservation 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). 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.
2012 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
2004 | Serious Decline
Distribution
Endemic to New Zealand.
Habitat
This taxon prefers lowland, wet, sometimes swampy forest, pasture and is occasionally found on forest margins.
Features
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.
Flowering
Flowering occurs in November.
Flower colours
White, Yellow
Fruiting
Fruiting capsules are found from December to April.
Threats
Very susceptible to disturbance, habitat clearance and modification including stock trampling.
Etymology
mazus: Tear (after protuberance on throat of flower)
novaezeelandiae: Of New Zealand
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (30 August 2003). For more information see Heenan (1998)
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.
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)