Libertia flaccidifolia (lridaceae), a new species from Mt Tamahunga

A new species of Libertia, L. flaccidifolia, is described from Mt Tamahunga, Northland, New Zealand. Libertia flaccidifolia is similar to L. grandiflora but differs from that species in that it possesses broad, flaccid leaves, with strongly scabrid margins, fully dehiscing capsules, yellow-orange seeds, and a dodecaploid chromosome number. Libertia flaccidifolia is an extremely uncommon species that has declined in abundance following human-induced disturbance. Using the New Zealand Threat Classification System, we recommend a conservation status of Threatened/Nationally Critical qualified OL (One Location), RR (Range Restricted), RF (Recruitment Failure). A revised key to species found in New Zealand is included

Additional lichen records from New Zealand 51. Usnea dasaea Stirt.

[OFF-PRINT] Usnea dasaea is reported for the first time from New Zealand. Corticolous specimens of Usnea collected in Northland and Tasman in 2004 could not be identified at the time using the key and descriptions in the first edition of the New Zealand lichen Flora (Galloway 1985). Thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of salazinic, norstictic and galbinic acids, which did not match species then recognized in New Zealand. Reading the description of Australian Usnea species in Stevens (1999), it seemed possible that the specimens were U. undulata Stirt. although U. undulata was not recorded in New Zealand until the second edition of the Flora for saxicolous material (Galloway 2007), and Clerc & Herrera-Campos (1997) considered U. undulata to be a synonym of U. dasaea Stirt. Clerc (2004) later identified a specimen of U. dasaea from Australia, which suggested the species could also be present in NewZealand. Morphological and chemical examination of a wider range of specimens from the North Island and comparison with descriptions of U. dasaea confirm the presence of the species in New Zealand

Reinstatement of Usnea capillacea Motyka (lichenized Ascomycota, Parmeliaceae) to the New Zealand lichenized mycobiota

The taxonomic histories of Usnea capillacea Motyka and U. articulata (L.) Hoffm. (Parmeliaceae) in New Zealand are discussed. Habitat preferences and molecular and morphological differences between the two species support reinstating Usnea capillacea to the New Zealand lichenized mycobiota for specimens currently referred to U. articulata

Distribution and community composition of lichens on mature mangroves (Avicennia marina subsp. australasica (Walp.) J.Everett) in New Zealand.

Mangrove forests of a single trees species, Avicennia marina subsp. australasica are widespread in the upper North Island of New Zealand, but there is little available information on the diversity of epiphytes such as lichens within them. A survey of 200 trees from 20 mangrove sites recorded a total of 106 lichen species from 45 genera. Two of these species are considered to be 'Threatened', five 'At Risk' and 27 'Data Deficient'. Multiple regression indicated that tree diameter (DBH) and mean annual rain days positively influenced site species richness. Multidimensional scaling showed that sites from the same geographical region generally formed distinct clusters. Redundancy analysis indicated that mean annual wet days, latitude and DBH measurably influenced species composition

Flora of Dingle Dell Reserve, St Heliers

Dingle Dell Reserve in St Heliers, Auckland, is an Auckland Council reserve of 9 ha. It is popular for walking, a venue for outdoor concerts, it protects the headwaters of a stream draining into the sea at St Heliers Bay via an underground pipe down Dingle Road and the Parade, and is an ecologically significant fragment of urban forest. ... Concluding remarks Dingle Dell has a surprisingly rich flora considering it was once a rather degraded fragment of native vegetation, and has been artificially enriched by planting of native and exotic trees. Its main ecological interest is now on the future development of the native flora and vegetation. Mosses, liverworts and lichens are plentiful. So far there has been little natural regeneration of any of the native conifers planted there 50-60 years ago. However, seedlings and saplings can be found of broadleaf trees such as puriri, karaka, taraire and kohekohe, and also nikau, so these are likely to predominate in the future. The ancient kanuka and cabbage trees exhibit declining health, but beneath them is a dense scrub forest of small trees such as lacebark, mapou and houpara. The rather open nature of much of the vegetation exposes the upper slopes wind and drought, where hardy plants such as Gahnia lacera, Doodia australis and Adiantum hispidulum provide the main ground cover

Distribution and community composition of lichens on mature mangroves (<i>Avicennia marina</i> subsp. <i>australasica</i> (Walp.) J.Everett) in New Zealand

<div><p>Mangrove forests of a single trees species, <i>Avicennia marina</i> subsp. <i>australasica</i> are widespread in the upper North Island of New Zealand, but there is little available information on the diversity of epiphytes such as lichens within them. A survey of 200 trees from 20 mangrove sites recorded a total of 106 lichen species from 45 genera. Two of these species are considered to be ‘Threatened’, five ‘At Risk’ and 27 ‘Data Deficient’. Multiple regression indicated that tree diameter (DBH) and mean annual rain days positively influenced site species richness. Multidimensional scaling showed that sites from the same geographical region generally formed distinct clusters. Redundancy analysis indicated that mean annual wet days, latitude and DBH measurably influenced species composition.</p></div

Distribution and community composition of lichens on mature mangroves (<i>Avicennia marina</i> subsp. <i>australasica</i> (Walp.) J.Everett) in New Zealand - Fig 5

<p><b>RDA ordination plots representing relationships between influential environmental variables and sites (A) and species (B) respectively</b>. In the species diagram, only the sixteen species most strongly influenced by the environmental variables are displayed for clarity.</p

Example of a representative species accumulation curve (site K1).

<p>All other sites followed a similar pattern. Error bars represent standard deviation.</p

MDS plot of sites within the regions Northland (HO, KK, MA, PH, WA).

<p><b>Auckland (KB, PU, WI), Kaipara (K1, K2, M, W1, W2, P, PA, WH) and Coromandel (KA O, OP, PI).</b> Region boundaries shown for clarity.</p

Mangrove study sites, North Island, New Zealand.

<p>Mangrove study sites, North Island, New Zealand.</p