Endemic flora of Stewart Island
Of the 893 plant taxa (including hybrids) native to Stewart Island or Rakiura (Māori),[1] the third largest Island in New Zealand located south of the South Island, only 585 plants are native, and 23 species are endemic (found nowhere else).[note 1]
Much of this endemism is found in alpine areas,[3] and is represented mostly by small daisies and buttercups. Brachyglottis stewartiae is the only endemic tree.[4] The smaller offshore islands including: Tītī Islands, Codfish Island and islets in the Foveaux Strait are included as Stewart Island in this list. Although David Lyall collected the first plant from Stewart Island in around 1847–51, the first large survey of the flora of Stewart Island was published by botanist Leonard Cockayne in 1909.[5] The most recent full treatment of the island's flora was written by Hugh Wilson in 1987.[6] As Cockayne notes,[7] Stewart Island is a largely unchanged landscape and as a result of this and its unique ecology, it has a national park which covers 85% of its area.[3]
Although the vast majority of plants found on Stewart Island are found in other parts of New Zealand, several of the most common native mainland plants are not found there. Notably missing are any beech trees (Nothofagus sp.), which may be a result of glaciation, as well as kōwhai, māhoe, and kānuka, among others.[3] When glaciers retreated from montane areas of Stewart Island 14,000 years ago, beech trees, as a result of their slow rate of spread, were not fast enough to recolonise. Other common plants were later introduced after their seeds were blown across the Foveaux Strait.[8] Notable ecosystems in Stewart Island include: large dunes formed by pīngao, podocarp forests dominated by kāmahi and rimu, and coastal scrub of tree daisies.[3] The ecosystems most significant to the endemic flora are the alpine and montane herbfields and grasslands–especially the "boggy meadow."[9] The montane zone begins at around 450 m (1,480 ft) and is uniquely affected by very high winds and rates of rainfall, and a lack of sunshine.[10] Although now protected, the endemic flora is put at risk by introduced mammalian predators such as possums and deer.[8] As a result many species are threatened and listed as Naturally Uncommon or, in one plant's case, as Nationally Critical by the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS).
Vascular plants
[edit]| Scientific name | Image | Common name(s) | Family | NZTCS | Distribution | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abrotanella muscosa Kirk, 1892 |
|
Asteraceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island | [11][12] | |
| Aciphylla cartilaginea Petrie, 1915 |
|
Apiaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island; subalpine grassland | [13][14] | |
| Aciphylla stannensis J. W. Dawson, 1980 |
Tin Range speargrass | Apiaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island; on Tin Range | [15][16] | |
| Aciphylla traillii Kirk, 1884 |
|
Stewart Island speargrass | Apiaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island | [17][18] |
| Brachyglottis stewartiae (J.B.Armstr.) B.Nord., 1978 |
|
Asteraceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island and Foveaux Islets; coastal scrub | [19][20] | |
| Bulbinella gibbsii var. gibbsii Cockayne, 1909 |
|
Gibbs’s Māori onion, Gibbs’s lily, Gibbs’s onion | Asphodelaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island | [21][22]
|
| Cardamine megalantha Heenan, 2017 |
Cress | Asphodelaceae | Nationally Endangered | Stewart Island | [23][24] | |
| Celmisia clavata G.Simpson & J.S.Thomson, 1942 |
|
Stewart Island silver cushion daisy | Asteraceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island | [25][26] |
| Celmisia polyvena G.Simpson & G.Thomson, 1942 |
|
Tin Range mountain daisy | Asteraceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island | [27][28] |
| Celmisia rigida (Kirk) Cockayne, 1909 |
|
Asteraceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island; Ernest Islands, Long Island, Codfish Island | [29][30] | |
| Chionochloa crassiuscula subsp. crassiuscula (Kirk) Zotov, |
|
Pungent snow tussock | Poaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island | [31][32] |
| Chionochloa lanea Connor Cockayne, 1987 |
Stewart Island snow tussock | Poaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island; montane to alpine grassland | [33][34] | |
| Craspedia robusta var. pedicellata Kirk, 1987 |
|
Woollyhead | Asteraceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island | [35]
|
| Gentiana gibbsii (Petrie) T.N.Ho et S.W.Liu, 1993 |
|
Mt Anglem gentian, Gibbs’s gentian | Gentianaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island; Mt Anglem and Little Mt Anglem | [36][37] |
| Gingidia flabellata (Kirk) J. W. Dawson, 1974 |
|
Stewart Island aniseed | Apiaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island; in the south-west | [38][39] |
| Leptinella traillii subsp. traillii (Kirk) D.G.Lloyd et C.Webb, 1972 |
|
Traills Button Daisy | Asteraceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart and nearby Islands | [40][41] |
| Macrolearia lyallii (Hook.f.) Saldivia, 2022 |
|
Subantarctic tree daisy | Asteraceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart and nearby Islands | [42][43][44] |
| Poa aucklandica subsp. rakiura Edgar, 1986 |
Mt Anglem poa | Poaceae | Nationally Critical | Stewart Island; Mt Anglem | [45][46] | |
| Raoulia goyenii Kirk, 1884 |
|
Stewart Island vegetable sheep | Asteraceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island; herbfield and fellfield | [47][48] |
| Ranunculus kirkii Petrie, 1887 |
|
Ranunculaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island | [49][50]
| |
| Ranunculus stylosus H.D.Wilson & Garn.-Jones, 1983 |
|
Ranunculaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island; south | [51][52]
| |
| Ranunculus viridis H.D.Wilson & Garn.-Jones, 1983 |
|
Mount Allen buttercup | Ranunculaceae | Nationally Critical | Stewart Island; Tin range | [53][54][55]
|
Non-vascular plants
[edit]| Scientific name | Image | Common name(s) | Family | NZTCS | Distribution | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plagiochila hatcheri Engel et Merr., 1999 |
Liverwort | Apiaceae | Naturally Uncommon | Stewart Island | [56] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Although Wilson records 28 taxa, five of these are no longer recognised. This does not include Azorella lyallii, which is not officially endemic to Stewart Island, although it is seldom recorded elsewhere.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ de Lange, P. J.; et al. (2009-03-01). "Additional records of indigenous and naturalised plants with observations on the distribution of Gunnera tinctoria, on Stewart Island, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 47 (1): 1–7. doi:10.1080/00288250909509787. ISSN 0028-825X.
- ^ Gellatly, Jenet (2021-05-03). "Megaherb punui replanted". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 2021-05-15. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ a b c d Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Stewart Island/Rakiura: Plants and Animals". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ Wilson 1987, p. 84.
- ^ Cockayne 1909, p. 1.
- ^ Wilson 1987, p. 1.
- ^ Cockayne 1909, p. 2.
- ^ a b Wilson 1982, p. 10.
- ^ Cockayne 1909, p. 30.
- ^ Cockayne 1909, p. 28.
- ^ "Abrotanella muscosa". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Abrotanella muscosa Kirk | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Aciphylla cartilaginea". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Aciphylla cartilaginea Petrie | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Aciphylla stannensis". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2024-11-02. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Aciphylla stannensis J.W.Dawson | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Aciphylla traillii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Aciphylla traillii Kirk | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Brachyglottis stewartiae". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Brachyglottis stewartiae (J.B.Armstr.) B.Nord. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Bulbinella gibbsii var. gibbsii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Bulbinella gibbsii var. gibbsii | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Cardamine megalantha". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Cardamine megalantha Heenan | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Celmisia clavata". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Celmisia clavata G.Simpson & J.S.Thomson | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Celmisia polyvena". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Celmisia polyvena G.Simpson & J.S.Thomson | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Celmisia rigida". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2023-04-22. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Celmisia rigida (Kirk) Cockayne | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Chionochloa crassiuscula subsp. crassiuscula". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2025-01-20. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Chionochloa crassiuscula subsp. crassiuscula". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ "Chionochloa lanea". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Chionochloa lanea Connor | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Craspedia robusta var. pedicellata". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Gentianella gibbsii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Gentianella gibbsii (Petrie) T.N.Ho & S.W.Liu | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2023-01-05. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Gingidia flabellata". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2025-01-18. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Gingidia flabellata (Kirk) J.W.Dawson | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2024-12-23. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Leptinella traillii subsp. traillii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2025-01-20. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Leptinella traillii subsp. traillii". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ "Macrolearia lyallii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2024-11-04. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Macrolearia lyallii". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ Wilmshurst, Janet M.; McGlone, Matt S.; Turney, Chris S.M. (2015). "Long-term ecology resolves the timing, region of origin and process of establishment for a disputed alien tree". AoB Plants. 7: plv104. doi:10.1093/aobpla/plv104. ISSN 2041-2851. PMC 4612295. PMID 26311733.
- ^ "Poa aucklandica subsp. rakiura". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Poa aucklandica subsp. rakiura Edgar | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Raoulia goyenii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Raoulia goyenii Kirk | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Ranunculus kirkii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Ranunculus kirkii Petrie | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Ranunculus stylosus". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Ranunculus stylosus H.D.Wilson & Garn.-Jones | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Ranunculus viridis". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Archived from the original on 2025-02-22. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Ranunculus viridis H.D.Wilson & Garn.-Jones | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Archived from the original on 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Rare native buttercup found on Stewart Island". www.doc.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 2025-01-13. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
- ^ "Plagiochila hatcheri". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
Bibliography
[edit]- Cockayne, Leonard (1909). Report on a Botanical Survey of Stewart Island (PDF). Department of Lands and Survey – via Papers Past.
- Wilson, Hugh Dale (1982). Field Guide: Stewart Island Plants. Manuka Press.
- Wilson, Hugh D. (1987). Vegetation of Stewart Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany Supplement. Wellington: Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. ISBN 978-0-477-02516-4.
Further reading
[edit]- Usher, George A. (2009). "Flora and Fauna on Stewart Island, New Zealand". Oryx. 2 (3): 181–186. doi:10.1017/S003060530003622X. ISSN 1365-3008.
- Murphy, AL; et al. (2012-09-01). "An unusual climbing dune, Big Hellfire Pass, Stewart Island, New Zealand: exploration through environment, vegetation and trait patterns". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 50 (3): 233–256. doi:10.1080/0028825X.2012.665807. ISSN 0028-825X.
- Mcglone, Matt S.; and Wilson, Hugh D. (1996-09-01). "Holocene vegetation and climate of Stewart Island, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 34 (3): 369–388. doi:10.1080/0028825X.1996.10410701. ISSN 0028-825X.
- Wells, Judith A.; and Mark, A. F. (1966-09-01). "The altitudinal sequence of climax vegetation on mt anglem, stewart island: Part 1. The principal strata". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 4 (3): 267–282. doi:10.1080/0028825X.1966.10429047. ISSN 0028-825X.
- Williams, Gordon (1936). "The Geomorphology of Stewart Island, New Zealand". The Geographical Journal. 87 (4): 328–337. doi:10.2307/1785559. ISSN 0016-7398. JSTOR 1785559.
- Veblen, Thomas T.; Stewart, Glenn H. (1980). "Comparison of Forest Structure and Regeneration on Bench and Stewart Islands, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 3: 50–68. ISSN 0110-6465. JSTOR 24052006.
- Heenan, P. B.; et al. (2009). "Additional records of indigenous and naturalised plants with observations on the distribution of Gunnera tinctoria , on Stewart Island, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 47 (1): 1–7. doi:10.1080/00288250909509787. ISSN 0028-825X.