| Abstrakt: |
Four shrub species, including the newly described Pachystegia hesperia Heenan & Molloy, are recognised in Pachystegia Cheeseman, a genus endemic to southern Marlborough and northern Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand. Pachystegia hesperia is distinguished by its compact and low statured growth habit, obovate to elliptic-oblong leaves with the adaxial surface reticulate with distinctive primary and secondary veins, a short peduncle and narrow capitula, smaller and fewer ray petals and fewer disc florets. It was previously known by the tagnames P. "B" or P. "Lowry". Pachystegia hesperia has a western and inland distribution comprising Lowry Peaks Range, Amuri Range, and southern parts of Inland and Seaward Kaikōura Ranges. The previously recognised P. insignis (Hook.f.) Cheeseman, P. minor (Cheeseman) Molloy and P. rufa Molloy are retained. Pachystegia insignis has the most widespread distribution and includes plants referred to the tagnames P. "A" or P. "Coast" and is naturally variable in leaf shape, capitula diameter and the presence and number of leafy bracts on the peduncle. Pachystegia minor is restricted to coastal and lowland habitats between Puhi Puhi and Waiau Toa / Clarence Rivers and includes plants from Ōhau Point (Marlborough) previously known by the tagname P. "C var. ii" or P. "Ōhau Point". It is distinguished by rhomboid to obovate leaves, narrow capitula and in having the fewest florets. Pachystegia rufa is distinguished by reddish trichomes on the leaves, stems and infloresences and has a restricted distribution in Haldon Hills, Marlborough. The widespread P. insignis hybridises with P. minor and P. rufa. Typification, distribution, habitats and conservation status are presented for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
