H. E. Connor

Name changes in the indigenous New Zealand Flora, 1960-1986 and nomina nova IV, 1983-1986

Abstract Changes in the nomenclature of indigenous New Zealand angiosperms and gymnosperms since 1960 are listed, and commentary on some name changes is included. Names of new taxa published here are: Anaphalis keriensis (Cunn.) C. Webb, A. rupestris C. Webb, A. subrigida (Colenso) C. Webb, Brachyglottis kirkii (Kirk) C. Webb, B. kirkii var. angustior (Allan) C. Webb, B. turneri (Cheeseman) C. Webb, Chionochloa defracta Connor, C. lanea Connor, Convolvulus verecundus Petrie subsp. waitaha W. Sykes, Cortaderia turbaria Connor, Crassula hunua A.P. Druce, C. mataikona A.P. Druce, C. ruamahanga A.P. Druce, C. tetramera (Toelken) A.P. Druce et W.R. Sykes, Geniostoma rupestre Forst. et Forst. f. var. ligustrifolium (Cunn.) Conn, Gnaphalium polylepis (D. Drury) C. Webb, G. ruahinicum (D. Drury) C. Webb, Isolepis distigmatosa (C.B. Clarke) Edgar, Kunzea ericoides (A. Rich.) J. Thompson var. linearis (Kirk) W. Harris, K. ericoides var. microflora (G. Simpson) W. Harris, K. sinclairii (Kirk) W. Harris, Melicytus al...

Chionochloa Zotov (Gramineae) in New Zealand

Abstract The Australasian genus Chionochloa Zotov Is revised for New Zealand; all 22 species are endemic including the one species on the subantarctlc islands. One new species, ten new subspecies, one new variety, and one new form are described; C. pungens of Stewart I. is submerged in C. crassiuscula; C. Xelata is given the status of a hybrid. Natural hybrids are reported, and 35 interspecific combinations are described.

Indigenous New Zealand Triticeae: Gramineae

Abstract Indigenous New Zealand members of tribe Triticeae are revised. Three genera are accepted: Elymus in preference to Roegneria; Stenostachys in preference to sectional rank in Elymus; Australopyrum in preference to Agropyron or Hystrix. Two new species of Elymus are described; E. solandri is a new combination for widespread indigenous plants. A new species in Stenostachys is described. Australopyrum is as treated recently. Natural hybrids are described, both interspecific and intergeneric. Genome analyses are discussed especially for hexaploid species.

Biosystematics of higher plants in New Zealand 1965–1984

Abstract During 1965–1984 progress in the study of biosystematics of the New Zealand Hora has advanced an understanding of the monocoty-ledonous element more than the dicotyledonous. In Luzula, Elymus, and Cortaderia experimentally produced hybrids between New Zealand species and overseas taxa have measured gene-exchange, allowed generic realignment or confirmed taxonomic judgements. Chionochloa, Gramineae, lies to the forefront in experimental work at specific and infraspecific levels, ecologically, physiologically, biochemically and morphologically, and will continue to yield information needed to comprehend its evolution in New Zealand. Among dicotyledons Epilobium, Onagraceae, is the best documented genus because of the extent of the study of experimental hybrids, natural hybridism, gene-exchange, and cytology. Experimental studies on economically important plants with a long lifespan e.g., Nothofagus are few, and even in the study of hybrid asteliads, at the end of 12–13 years there had been no flowe...

Hawkweeds, Hieracium spp., in tussock grasslands of Canterbury, New Zealand, in 1960s

Abstract The frequency and abundance of three species of Hieracium, hawkweeds, in tussock grassland communities in Canterbury during the 1960s is presented as an historical record. Abundance was low at most sites; H. pilosella and H. praealtum were widespread and well established; both species had similar patterns of abundance in snow — and montane fescue-tussock grasslands. The three species formed distinctive geographic distribution patterns in Canterbury — (a) coastal hills and plains, and the northern region, (b) centrally in the catchments of the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers, and (c) in the south in the catchments of the Ashburton and Rangitata rivers and the Mackenzie Country.

Nomina Nova III, 1977-1982

Abstract Names and name changes, published between 1977 and 1982, which are referable to indigenous New Zealand gymnosperms and angiosperms are reported.

Species novae graminum Novae‐Zelandiae II. Chionochloa nivifera (Danthonieae:Danthonioideae)

Abstract A new species of Chionochloa, C. nivifera, is described from the high alpine zone of eastern Fiordland mountains. A species found in areas of long snow lie, it resembles C. macra but is of lower stature and its tillers are less erect.

Species novae graminum Novae‐Zelandiae I

Abstract Newly recognised grasses are described in preparation for the publication of Flora of New Zealand, Vol. 5, the grasses: two are new dioecious species of Poa, P. schistacea widespread on scree slopes in western Otago and P. xenica of Nelson on screes below marble bluffs; cleistogamous Deyeuxia lacustris is known from one locality in north‐west Nelson and another in North Canterbury; Dichelachne lautumia is restricted to a limestone quarry near the mouth of the Flaxbourne River, Marlborough.

Regional endemism in New Zealand grasses

Abstract Regional endemism is evident in 60 grass taxa among the 182 species and infraspecific taxa that comprise the New Zealand endemic grass flora. The pattern of regional endemism matches that described earlier for dicotyledons with high frequencies in Nelson‐Marlborough of northern South Island, and in southern South Island in Otago, Southland, and Fiordland. Low frequencies in southern North Island and central South Island are also consistent with patterns earlier described. In northern North Island grass endemism is low, consistent with the long history of forests in that region. Habitat preference is evident for most regional endemics with rupestral and edaphic constraints dominating. Taxonomic rank is the first imperative in establishing status as a regional endemic. Disjunctions fragment species into genetically isolated populations with their own evolutionary potentialities. These populations, unadorned by taxonomic rank, are treated as simple species disjunctions unlike those supported by an infraspecific taxonomic foundation that qualify for regional endemism. This distinction seems biologically inconsistent. Regional grass endemics conform in chromosome number, reproductive biology, and habitat selection to other congeneric species except for rare departures. A comparison of the frequencies in regional distributions of endemic Gramineae and endemic herbaceous Compositae showed a high level of agreement, unlike that with endemic Cyperaceae. Among the tribes of New Zealand Gramineae, Agrostideae have a lower ratio of regional endemics:total endemics than in tribes Poeae and Danthonieae, primarily because of the lack of coherent morphological‐geographic patterns in species of wide amplitude.

Australopyrum (Triticeae: Gramineae) in New Zealand

Abstract Australopyrum calcis, a self-compatible, triticoid grass of restricted distribution, is described as new; it comprises two subspecies, ssp. calcis, and ssp. optatum; both are associated with limestone. This is the first species of Australopyrum recognised as endemic to New Zealand, and the first endemic diploid (2n = 14) grass found here. The karyotype is the same as in Australian A. pectinatum, and the SAT-chromosome pair is similar to other genera in the tribe Triticeae. Two Australian species are naturalised here, A. retrofractum since mid-19th century, and A. pectinatum, only recently re-collected.