New, Highly Threatened Species of Pseudowintera Described
Pseudowintera (Winteraceae), is an endemic New Zealand genus. Previously three species were recognised, P. axillaris, P. colorata and P. traversii. The first two are well known as Horopito or Pepper tree (the latter on account of their peppery, spicy tasting foliage).In the latest issue of the New Zealand Journal of Botany (Vol. 44(1) 2006), botanists Heenan and de Lange describe a fourth, the highly threatened P. insperata.
The new species is known only from two (possibly three) sites in eastern Northland, where there are less than 50 known individuals.
Superficially resembling P. axillaris, the new species differs by its small tree habit, upright branches, pale green unblemished or spotted often retuse-tipped leaves, broad cream midrib, ciliate bracts, and entire cupule. Like P. colorata the fruits are black.
The new species, rated “Acutely Threatened/Nationally Critical” has long been treated as either P. axillaris s.s. or P. axillaris x P. colorata. The authors recognised its distinctiveness from plants cultivated in the grounds of the University of Auckland.
Posted: 14/04/2006