Gentianella calcis subsp. taiko
Common name
Pareora gentian
Synonyms
None
Family
Gentianaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Chromosome number
2n = 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) – 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 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: RR
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: EF, OL
2009 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: OL, EF
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Distribution
Endemic. South Island, near Pareora (Limestone Valley Road)
Habitat
In lowland areas. A limestone endemic confined to shaded sites on limestone bluffs and boulders, and associated rendzina soils
Detailed description
Perennial tufted herb. Petiole distinct, 15-50 mm long. Rosette leaves narrowly elliptical 42-75 mm long, 4.4-8.8 mm wide, green, weakly V-shaped in cross-section, slightly recurved, apex acute to obtuse; margins minutely serrulate. Cauline leaves, linear, recurved, smaller than rosette leaves. Flowering stems, purple-black, 1-5 per plant. Pedicels 6.5-12 mm long, 0.75-0.9 mm diam. Flowers 28-65 per plant, 1-18 per flowering stem, 16-18 mm long. Calyx green, tinted purple black, 6.8-9.8 mm long, green tinted purple; lobes 4.5-7.2 mm long, 1.3-1.8 mm wide at base, strongly recurved, apices acute, margins minutely serrulate. Corolla 11.7-19.0 mm long, veins colourless; tube 3.6-4.7 mm long; lobes 7.8-14.3 x 3.6-6.9 mm, margins usually toothed; nectary 0.8-2.2 mm from corolla base, V-shaped to pocket-like with distinct smooth-margined flap. Filaments 6.5-9.4 mm long from corolla base, 0.40-0.65 mm wide. Anthers 1.5-2.2 mm long. Ovules 14-24 per ovary. Capsules 13-16.5 mm long.
Similar taxa
Distinguished from the other subspecies of G. calcis Glenny et Molloy by its wide leaves (4.4-8.8 mm). Also the leaves are rather long and only slightly V-shaped in cross-section. Secondary branching of the flowering stems is minimal. The corolla is rather large (14.6-19 mm long), uniformly white, and the nectary flap has an untoothed margin. For differnces from G. astonii T.N.Ho et S.W.Liu see under G. calcis
Flowering
May
Flower colours
Violet/Purple, White
Fruiting
Unknown
Propagation technique
Difficult. Should not be removed from the wild.
Threats
Under severe threat from the spread of Hieraceum pilosella L. and pasture grasses, habitat loss due to changes in stocking regimes, and through browsing from feral goats. Limestone quarrying is a long-term threat, while the very small population is vulnerable to erosion, boulder and rock falls. Previously recorded as Gentiana aff. astonii (b) (CHR 529111; Pareora River) in de Lange et al. (2004).
Etymology
gentianella: Little Gentiana (named after Gentius, 6th century king of Illyria, who found the roots of the yellow gentian to have a healing effect on his malaria-stricken troops)
Where To Buy
Not Commercially Available
Attribution
Fact Sheet for NZPCN prepared by P.J. de Lange (1 November 2004). Description modified from Glenny (2004)
References and further reading
de Lange et al., 2004, Threatened and uncommon plants on New Zealand, New Zealand Journal of Botany 42: 45-76.
Glenny, D. 2004: A revision of the genus Gentianella in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42: 361-530.