New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

---

Achyranthes aspera (Amaranthaceae) a new indigenous addition to the flora of the Kermadec Islands group

P. J. de Lange

Science & Research Unit
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 68908
Newton
Auckland, New Zealand
Email: pdelange@doc.govt.nz

R. P. Scofield

Canterbury Museum
Rolleston Avenue
Christchurch, New Zealand

T. Greene

Science & Research Unit
Department of Conservation
137 Kilmore Street
Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract  Achyranthes aspera (Amaranthaceae) is reported from Macauley Island, the largest of the five main islands comprising the southern group of the Kermadec Islands. Because Macauley Island is remote and difficult to access, we consider it very unlikely that A. aspera was introduced to the island by humans. It is suggested that the species colonised Macauley Island naturally via an avian vector, from seeds dispersed by sea birds travelling between the Norfolk Island group and Macauley Island. Although A. aspera has hitherto been considered a naturalised species in the New Zealand Botanical Region, we suggest that the Macauley occurrence should be regarded as a recent native addition to the flora of the Kermadec Islands. The species has been assessed with the Conservation Status of “Coloniser” using the New Zealand Threatened Species Classification System.

Keywords  Amaranthaceae; Achyranthes; A. aspera; A. aspera var. aspera; A. aspera var. pubescens; A. velutina; A. aspera var. velutina; Kermadec Island group; Macauley Island; avian long-distance dispersal; chromosome number; conservation status; New Zealand flora

B03031; Received 28 August 2003; accepted 10 November 2003; Online publication date 3 June 2004
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2004, Vol. 42: 167-173
0028-825X/04/4202-0167 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004

PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality (4154K) | screen-quality (414K)

---

This year's abstracts | Journal home page | All abstracts | Publishing home page