W. R. Sykes

New records and other information on the vascular flora of the Kermadec Islands

Abstract This paper records additional information about the flora of the Kermadec Islands since the publication in 1977 of the “Kermadec Islands Flora, an annotated checklist”, by one of us (WRS). In addition to the records of plants first collected since then, we have listed acceptable nomenclatural and taxonomic name changes since 1977. The third list gives species for which there is significant recent ecological or morphological information and often an amended Kermadec distribution.

Vascular flora of Norfolk Island: Some additions and taxonomic notes

Abstract A total of 75 taxa (including 1 hybrid) are reported as new to the flora of the Norfolk Island group, in the south‐west Pacific Ocean. Of these 1 is endemic (Achyranthes margaretarum), and 10 (2 pteridophytes, 8 anthophytes) taxa are considered indigenous and appear to represent either new natural long‐distance colonisations of Norfolk Island group from Australia and New Zealand or are new identifications of indigenous taxa either treated under other indigenous names or as naturalised in the Norfolk Flora. The remaining 64 taxa are considered naturalisations from resident gardens, or recent arrivals via human traffic from Australia or New Zealand. Aside from these records we discuss and update information on a further 27 taxa either covered by the last Norfolk Island flora treatment, or noted in subsequent works. A new species, Geranium gardneri, is described and treated as indigenous to Australia and naturalised in Norfolk I. and New Zealand. Nephrolepis flexuosa is reinstated for the non‐tuberous, high‐polyploid fern previously included within a broad circumscription of N. cordifolia, and which is indigenous at least to Norfolk I., Raoul I., Lord Howe I., New Zealand, and Fiji. The new combination Boehmeria australis subsp. dealbata is made for the Raoul I. (Kermadec Islands group) endemic, and Elymus multiflorus subsp. kingianus for the Norfolk and Lord Howe Island wheatgrass. The New Zealand Cordyline kaspar and Raoul I. Rhopalostylis cheesemanii are relegated to synonymy within the Norfolk I. Cordyline obtecta and Rhopalostylis baueri, respectively, which are now no longer considered endemic. Dianella intermedia and Pennantia endlicheri are treated as endemic to Norfolk I. and Senecio australis as indigenous. Two species, Ipomoea cairica and Oxalis exilis, previously treated as naturalised are recognised as indigenous, while Homalanthus populifolius is now considered naturalised and so is excluded from the indigenous flora. Anew treatment for Norfolk I. Oxalis Sect. Corniculatae is offered, and three of the four taxa reported from the island group but treated by the current flora as part of O. corniculata sens. lat. are recognised at species rank. Of these we consider only one, O. exilis, to be indigenous, and treat O. choonodes and O. radicosa as probably naturalised. We also report the first naturalised occurrence of O. corniculata sens. str. from the island group and exclude O. perennans from the flora. Isolepis cernua var. setiformis is recognised for the Norfolk I. Isolepis previously treated as probably endemic and unnamed.

Two new names in Macropiper Miq. (Piperaceae) from New Zealand

Abstract A second indigenous species of Macropiper, M. melchior is described. It is known only from the Three Kings Islands off the northernmost tip of the North Island. Although the new species has many features in common with the widespread New Zealand M. excelsum, it shares significant characters with tropical Pacific species. The two infraspecific taxa of M. excelsum are elevated to subspecific rank.

Passiflora (Passifloraceae) in New Zealand: A revised key with notes on distribution

Abstract A revised key to New Zealand indigenous and naturalised species of Passiflora is presented, and this resolves previous difficulties with the identification of P. mixta and P. mollissima of subgenus Tacsonia. Particular attention is given to this subgenus as there have been recent taxonomic changes to naturalised species that originate from South America and most are serious pest plants in New Zealand. The names P. tarminiana and P. tripartita var. azuayensis are applied to New Zealand plants for the first time, and P. tripartita var. mollissima is a new rank for plants previously known as P. mollissima. These taxa occur throughout New Zealand. P. mixta sens. str. is considered to be restricted to the Waitakere Ranges, North Auckland, and Kenepuru Sound, Marlborough, and many of the plants hitherto assigned to that species are treated as P. tarminiana.

Additional records of indigenous and naturalised plants with observations on the distribution of Gunnera tinctoria, on Stewart Island, New Zealand.

Abstract Twelve additional records of indigenous vascular plants and 25 naturalised plant records are added to the flora of Stewart Island. The majority of the new naturalised plant records come from Halfmoon Bay. Observations on the distribution and abundance of Gunnera tinctoria on Stewart Island are given, as this species is considered to pose a significant threat to indigenous biodiversity.

Checklist of bamboos (Poaceae) naturalised in New Zealand

Abstract 17 taxa of subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae, bamboos are reported as naturalised in New Zealand. A key to the genera and one each to the species of Bambusa, Phyllostachys, and Pleioblastus are provided.

The reinstatement of Utricularia protrusa for New Zealand and an assessment of the status of the other New Zealand bladderworts based on seed characters.

Abstract Taxonomic views of the genus Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) as it occurs in New Zealand have changed considerably since the publication of Volume 1 of the Flora of New Zealand in 1961. Examination of the seeds of the New Zealand bladderworts has assisted in further clarifying the status of some species but provides no assistance with others. We now accept three indigenous species for New Zealand: U. protrusa (the name reinstated for plants recently erroneously referred to as U. australis), U. delicatula (a New Zealand endemic distinct from the Australian U. lateriflora), and U. novae-zelandiae (including U. monanthos). The name U. gibba (instead of U. biflora) is accepted for the single naturalised species.

Dioscoreaceae, new for the adventive flora of New Zealand

Abstract Dioscorea communis, hitherto known as Tamus communis, black bryony, is a temperate Eurasian species here recorded as adventive from Wellington, New Zealand. The family Dioscoreaceae is otherwise only known from a few other species of Dioscorea that are occasionally cultivated, this having very probably been so since pre‐European times.

Scaevola gracilis (Goodeniaceae) in the Kermadec Islands and Tonga

Abstract The Tongan Scaevola porrecta is united with the Kermadec Islands S. gracilis, the latter being the earlier name.

The Oxalis corniculata group

Abstract The Oxalis corniculata L. group has been treated in various ways in New Zealand and elsewhere. The taxa within it are difficult to distinguish with conventional dichotomous keys because of overlapping characters. Yet they are seen to be distinct, especially when whole plants are studied. To overcome this problem of identification, a table of what seem to be the best diagnostic morphological characters is given. The historical treatment of the group in New Zealand is summarised.