New Zealand Journal of Botany abstract

Mazus arenarius (Scrophulariaceae), a new, small-flowered, and rare species segregated from M. radicans

P. B. HEENAN
C. J. WEBB*

Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research
P. O. Box 69
Lincoln, New Zealand

P. N. JOHNSON

Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research
Private Bag 1930
Dunedin, New Zealand
* Present address: Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, P. O. Box 12240, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract  Mazus arenarius Heenan, P.N.Johnson et C.J.Webb is described from southern New Zealand. It is a perennial, rhizomatous herb from coastal sand dune hollows and herbfields in south-east Otago, Southland, and Stewart Island. Mazus arenarius has previously been included in M. radicans but is distinguished by its uniformly coloured green-brown or purple-brown leaves which lack blotches, a short peduncle, smaller flowers with the lower corolla lobes with a retuse apex and horizontal upper corolla lobes, an obtuse and rounded fruit apex, and usually smaller seed.

The ecology is described and a list presented of 44 native and 16 naturalised species associated with M. arenarius at the False Islet and Three Sisters Dune populations. Mazus arenarius has been recorded from only 14 sites, and as it is never common it is classified as a rare plant.

Keywords  Scrophulariaceae; Mazus; Mazus arenarius; Mazus radicans; new species; taxonomy; New Zealand flora; conservation

B95006

Received 23 February 1995; accepted 16 August 1995

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