Vittadinia australis
Common name
white fuzzweed
Synonyms
None
Family
Asteraceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledonous 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.
VITAUS
Chromosome number
2n = 18, 36
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 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Data Deficient
Distribution
Endemic. North and South Islands. Mainly in the drier eastern regions from Great Barrier Island south to Southland.
Habitat
In stony eroding tussock grassland, dry hill slopes, rock outcrops (including limestone, greywacke), riverbeds and stony places. Lowland through low-alpine zone to 1,500m.
Features
Fine, spreading, prostrate to ascending, perennial herb, up to 30cm tall with stout root. Stems usually sparsely to densely clothed in long, white, erect hairs and glandular hairs, becoming hairless and woody towards the base. Leaves dull green, hairy, often 3- to 5-lobed, up to 1.5cm long. Flower heads small daisies, 1-1.5cm across, with white petals and yellow centres, occurring singly at branch tips. Seed heads spherical and fluffy.
Similar taxa
Introduced weedy Vittadinia gracilis and Vi. cuneata. V. australis has spreading white stem hairs and white flowers. The introduced species have purple flowers and tightly pressed stem hairs.
Flowering
October to June
Flower colours
White, Yellow
Fruiting
November to August
Propagation technique
Easily grown from cuttings and fresh seed but can be hard to maintain in cultivation.
Threats
Vittadinia australis has declined from large parts of its North Island range, and is now possibly extinct north of the Bay of Plenty. It has also declined from large parts of the south Wellington coast. In the South Island there is also some evidence of decline. The exact cause(s) of this observed decline is unclear but the spread of weeds, including introduced Vittadinia spp., and browsing animals are likely factors.
Etymology
vittadinia: Man’s name
australis: Southern
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange for NZPCN (1 June 2013)
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Vittadinia australis Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/vittadinia-australis/ (Date website was queried)