Myosotis brockiei subsp. brockiei
Synonyms
None
Family
Boraginaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
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) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants.
Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – an interim threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
- Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017 . 2018. 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. Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: CD
2004 | Gradual Decline
Distribution
Endemic to North West Nelson, upper Cobb and Takaka river catchments.
Habitat
In shady sites within forest or in open areas. Associated with limestone, marble or ultramafic cliffs, outcrops, talus slopes and rubble areas
Features
Perennial herb. Rosette leaves crowded, 60-120 x 1-15 mm, narrow-elliptic, tapering to a long, winged petiole, grey-green, hairs short, arcuate, somewhat silky, scarcely overlapping, on the upper surface retrorse, Lateral branches erect up to 300 mm tall. Cauline leaves narrow-elliptic, progressively smaller. Cymes 1-several, ebracteate, young flowers initially crowded, internodes elongating to exceed calyx length at fruiting. Flowers > 20, unscented. Calyx 3 mm long, exceeding corolla tube, calyx lobes narrow-linear, wide-spreading, lobed almost to base, hairs short, crowded, arcuate, long and flexyous only at apices. Corolla white, rotate, 9-10 mm diam., tube short 1 x 1 mm, < calyx lobes, lobes spreading 4 x 2.5 mm, broadly ovate and overlapping at bases. Scales exserted, initially yellow fading to white. Filaments 4 mm, conspicuous, anthers 1 mm. Style projecting beyond stamens, stigma narrow capitate. Nutlets brown, glossy, ovoid, 1.9 x 1 mm.
Similar taxa
Closest to Myosotis brockiei subsp. dysis, which is geographically isolated from subsp. brockiei. M. brockiei subsp. dysis is a lowland and western North-west Nelson species, and produces more horizontal runners in larger plants, while subsp. brockiei is an upland species in eastern North-West Nelson, and is more clump forming without any obvious horizontal runners. The species is also similar to Myosotis concinna Cheeseman, within which it was initially treated as a white-flowered variant. M. concinna Cheeseman is a endemic to Mt Owen and its immediate vicinity. It is a stocker plant with fully yellow flowers, heavier, shorter infructescences, a cylindric calyx barely equally the longer corolla tube. The yellow flowers have elliptic rather than ovate corolla lobes, and are very fragrant, while the nutletts are darker brown, larger (2.8 x 1.6 mm), and ellipsoid
Flowering
December - February
Flower colours
White, Yellow
Fruiting
January - April
Propagation technique
Difficult and should not be removed from the wild. Can be grown in pots in an alpine house, does best in lime enriched, well drained, cool, but sunny situations. Dislikes humidity.
Threats
A naturally uncommon species which is vulnerable to loss from plant collectors habitat destruction and the spread of weeds into its preferred habitat. There has been a slight range contraction in this species distribution over the last 10 years.
Etymology
myosotis: Mouse-eared
Where To Buy
Occasionally available from some specialist native plant nurseries
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange, updated 30 September 2023. Description based on Allan (1961).
References and further reading
Allan, H.H. 1961: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. I. Goverment Printer, Wellington.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R. (Year at time of access): Myosotis brockiei subsp. brockiei Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/myosotis-brockiei-subsp-brockiei/ (Date website was queried)