Selliera rotundifolia
Common name
Selliera
Synonyms
None
Family
Goodeniaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
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.
SELROT
Chromosome number
2n = 16
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: RR
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Declining
2004 | Gradual Decline
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: North Island (westerly from about Whanganui south to Paekakariki).
Habitat
In dune fields where it grows in seasonally damp swales (depressions), occasionally found along the margins of slow flowing tidal streams.
Features
Rhizomatous, mat-forming herb, forming dense patches up to 700 mm diam., or diffuse patches when trailing through other vegetation. Stems 1-2 mm diam. Petiole 3-7(-17) x 0.5-1 mm, distinct from leaf. Leaves dark green, glabrous, alternate, appressed to ground, lamina 3-7 x 3-5 mm, rotund, orbicular, leathery, entire, apex obtuse, base obtuse. Flowers single, arising in leaf axils. Pedicel 3-9 mm, glabrous, green to red-green, erect or spreading; bracts 1.5-2 x 0.7-0.9 mm, lanceolate, falcate, green, erect. Sepals 1-1.4 x 0.7-0.9 mm, narrow-triangular, distal part flushed red, apex subacute. Corolla 7-8 x 8-9 mm, 5 petals fused in proximal part, inner surface white, outer pale red. Petals 3-4 x 1.5-2 mm, lanceolate, falcate. Ovary 1.4-1.6 mm, green, glabrous. Style purple-red, stigma glabrous, orange brown. Stamens 3, orange-brown. Fruit 2-3 x 2-3 mm, ovoid, green. Seeds 1.5 x 1 mm, cream-white, compressed.
Similar taxa
Distinguished from the allied S. microphlla and S. radicans by the distinctive, small, rounded to completely orbicular leaves.
Flowering
December - February
Flower colours
Red/Pink, White
Fruiting
January - May
Propagation technique
Easy from the division of whole plants. An excellent ground cover for sunny, well drained or water logged soils.
Threats
This species is threatened throughout its range by the spread of faster growing and taller weed species which are rapidly modifying the damp, dune swale and estuarine habitats this species favours.
Etymology
selliera: After Sellier
rotundifolia: Round leaf; from the Latin rotundus and folium
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 18 June 2006. Description adapted from Heenan (1997).
References and further reading
Heenan, P. B. 1997: Selliera rotundifolia (Goodeniaceae), a new, round-leaved, species from New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 35(2): 133-138
Citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Selliera rotundifolia Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/selliera-rotundifolia/ (Date website was queried)