New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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A taxonomic reappraisal of Coprosma obconica Kirk (Rubiaceae: Anthospermeae)

Peter J. de Lange

Science & Research Unit
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 68908
Newton
Auckland, New Zealand

Rhys O. Gardner

Auckland Museum
Private Bag 90218
Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract   Following a morphological study of Coprosma obconica , a new subspecies, subsp. distantia , is recognised and an emended circumscription of C. obconica provided. C. obconica sens. lat. has several morphological features that are unusual in the genus: a leaf margin notably thickened by an encircling vein composed mainly of fibres, a subtriangular apical prolongation to the blade, and swollen pyrenes with a deep ventral indentation. C. obconica subsp. obconica is an erect, small-leaved, divaricating shrub with greenish white drupes streaked or blotched violet-purple. It has a mainly South Island distribution, favouring, with the exception of ultramafic rocks and soils, base-rich substrates. The new subspecies, C. obconica subsp. distantia , is an ultramafic endemic, confined to the 120 ha Surville Cliffs Serpentinite Formation at North Cape. It is distinguished from subsp. obconica by its prostrate habit, long-trailing branches, and cream- or lemon-coloured drupes. The neotype of C. obconica is replaced by a lectotype. The conservation status of both subspecies is reviewed.

Keywords   Coprosma; C. obconica; C. obconica subsp. obconica; C. obconica subsp. distantia; taxonomy; lectotypification; ecology; biogeography; conservation; New Zealand flora

B01025 Received 7 June 2001; accepted 6 December 2001
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2002, Vol. 40 : 25–38
0028–825X/02/4001–0025 $7.00 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2002

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