Myosotis suavis
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Flower colours
White
Detailed description
Small, rossette forming, perennial herb. Leaves broadly obovate-spathulate 2-4 × 0.7-1.5 cm, tip rounded with a small emergent spine (mucronate), all parts but especially the leaf undersides very hairy. Hairs long, tapering, appressed, on undersides shorter. Lateral branches few, ascending up to 10 cm long. Upper stem leaves narrow-elliptic and stalkless, 1-2 × 0.3-1 cm, tip broadly acuminate, hairs numerous, long and silky, appressed. Inflorescences 2 cm long, simple or branched, terminal. Flowers without subtending bracts. Calyx 5-7(-8) mm, lobes > half length, obtuse, copiously covered in appressed often hooked hairs. Corolla white 5-7 mm diameter, tube 4-6 mm, funnel-like, lobes flat, rounded, 1.5-2.5 × 1.5-2.5 mm diameter, stamens with very short filaments, fixed immediately below corolla scales. Anthers 1.5 mm, projecting above rather large corolla scales.
Similar taxa
Close to M. explanata but differing by its smaller size, calyces with crowded hairs, and smaller ( 7 mm) corollas.
Distribution
Endemic. South Island, known from Westland, Canterbury, and Otago.
Habitat
Associated with rock outcrops, stony ground, and boulder field.
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 – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: DPR
Threats
Very little is known about this species, beyond that it is rarely collected and seems to be genuinely scarce. Because so little is known about it, it has been listed as Data Deficient.
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Synonyms
None
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
December to February
Fruiting
No information available
Propagation technique
Can be grown with difficulty from rooted pieces. Hard without specialist knowledge and an alpine house.
Other information
Etymology
myosotis: Mouse-eared
suavis: Sweet
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.
MYOSUA
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 | Data Deficient
2012 | Data Deficient
2009 | Data Deficient
2004 | Data Deficient
Regional conservation statuses
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 “Regional conservation status of indigenous vascular plants in Otago” Jarvie S et al. (2024) report.
Otago: 2024 | Regionally Data Deficient
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Allan, H.H. 1961: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. I. Goverment Printer, Wellington.
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 1 February 2008. Description based on Allan (1961).
Some of this factsheet information is derived from Flora of New Zealand Online and is used under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand licence.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Myosotis suavis Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/myosotis-suavis/ (Date website was queried)