New Zealand Journal of Botany abstract
Taxonomy, ecology, and conservation of Sporadanthus (Restionaceae) in
New Zealand
P. J. DE LANGE
Science & Research Unit
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 68908
Newton, Auckland
New Zealand
P. B. HEENAN
Landcare Research
P.O. Box 69
Lincoln, New Zealand
B. D. CLARKSON
B. R. CLARKSON
Landcare Research
Private Bag 3127
Hamilton, New Zealand
Abstract A new species,
Sporadanthus ferrugineus
(Restionaceae), is described from the peat bogs of the northern North Island,
New Zealand. It is distinguished from
S. traversii by its more robust,
brittle culms with swollen bases, different coloured rhizome scales and culms,
and smaller, dehiscent fruit. In the past
S. ferrugineus has been
referred to
Sporadanthus traversii, which is now treated as a Chatham
Island endemic. Because of this past confusion a detailed description for
S.
traversii is also provided and a lectotype for the species selected. The
ecology of both species of
Sporadanthus is reviewed. There are marked
differences in their preferred habitats and response to fire. In particular,
Sporadanthus ferrugineus is a late-successional species of raised peat
bogs. Within these ecosystems,
S. ferrugineus is eliminated by fire and
re-establishment is from seed subsequently deposited by remnant plants.
Following fire,
S. ferrugineus takes five years to recolonise former
habitat and requires 12 years or more to re-establish itself fully within the
peat bog vegetation.
Sporadanthus traversii is less specialised,
colonising a variety of mid- to late-successional peat habitats on the Chatham
Islands, as well as coastal cliff scarps, peaty dune hollows, and lake margins.
Although
S. traversii is also eliminated by fire, it can re-establish
itself through activation of dormant seed within a few months of a fire. The
possibility that
S. traversii has become more common as a result of
increased fire frequency on the Chatham Islands is discussed.
Keywords Restionaceae; Sporadanthus; S.
traversii; S. ferrugineus; new species; lectotypification; restiad
raised bogs; ecology; fire; associated species; conservation; Chatham Islands;
North Island; New Zealand flora
B98067
Received 4 December 1998; accepted 2 March 1999
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (2009K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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