ABSTRACT A new species, Geranium cruentum, is described from New Zealand. Geranium cruentum is distinguished from G. brevicaule by its dark green leaves, broadly elliptic to obovate primary lobes with a deep sinus between the lobes, fewer secondary lobes, conspicuous dark reddish purple-brown blotches, and prominent leaf hair bases. Geranium cruentum is known from a single ostensibly wild collection

ABSTRACT As presently delimited, the endemic New Zealand species Senecio glaucophyllus Cheeseman shows considerable morphological and ecological diversity. Two morphologically similar forms associated with this taxon are found in northwest Nelson (South Island), of which one is often filed in herbaria as S. glaucophyllus subsp. glaucophyllus. The other form has been informally recognised as S. aff

ABSTRACT Plagiochila is the most diverse genus of liverwort by number of described species, with 1600 validly published names. The typification and application of names within the context of such nomenclatural diversity is therefore critical. Typification statements made over five decades of revisionary study for 95 validly published species names, and two varieties, in Australasian Plagiochilaceae

ABSTRACT It is argued that the greater use of te reo Māori and ta re Moriori languages for naming new taxa in the flora of Aotearoa / New Zealand supports the aspirations of Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. However, using these indigenous languages in botanical nomenclature is more complex than a simplistic ‘more is better’, and we identify a number of issues requiring consideration. We appraise Waitangi

ABSTRACT Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) are critical to the establishment of many plant species and an important consideration in ecological restoration of southern beech (Nothofagaceae) forest. However, information on spore viability and storage is lacking for EMF taxa associated with southern beech. This study tested the viability and germination of spores from fruiting bodies collected during autumn

(2020). Biology and biotechnological applications of microalgae and photosynthetic prokaryotes: part 2. New Zealand Journal of Botany: Vol. 58, Special issue: Biology and biotechnological applications of microalgae and photosynthetic prokaryotes: Part 2. Guest Editors: Julian Eaton-Rye, Benoit Guieysse, Michael Packer, Tina Summerfield and Susanna Wood, pp. 275-333.

ABSTRACT Microbial electrogenic behaviour is well characterised in prokaryotes, including the exo-electrogenic soil bacteria (‘metal breathers’) and cyanobacteria, some of which can perform a light-induced donation of electrons to electrochemical devices. Two main methods of electron donation are proposed in these organisms; mobile electron shuttles (redox mediators), and direct electron transport

ABSTRACT Govindjee, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Plant Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign since 1999, is renowned for his pioneering work in the light reactions of photosynthesis and important accomplishments as educator, editor, historian and advocate of photosynthesis. In his honour, we review his contributions over the last twenty years, which were often

(2020). Celebrating the contributions of Govindjee after his retirement: 1999–2020. New Zealand Journal of Botany. Ahead of Print.

(2020). Journal annual prize 2020. New Zealand Journal of Botany. Ahead of Print.

ABSTRACT The Amazon forest is the biggest tropical forest in the world, known to shelter the largest biodiversity of animals, plants and microorganisms worldwide. As to the mycodiversity of this biome, little is known since most of the mycological investigations in Brazil have been in the Atlantic Rainforest. This study presents a description of ten species of Annulohypoxylon (Hypoxylaceae, Ascomycota)

ABSTRACT Lineage through time plots (LTTs) are often used to explore past patterns of lineage diversification and community assembly. However, as they are based solely on extant species their ability to accurately depict past events can be questioned. Here, simulation models based on neutral processes are used to explore immigration and extinction scenarios to assist with interpretation of LTT plots

ABSTRACT The origin and establishment of gender dimorphism has been postulated as a key element in the evolution of insular floras but has generally not been studied in an explicit phylogenetic framework. We tested the prior conclusion that the origin of gender dimorphism in the New Zealand species of Gaultheria Kalm ex L. is allochthonous by newly tracing the evolution of gender dimorphism on a phylogenetic

ABSTRACT Island ecosystems can be severely affected by climate change as they provide limited opportunities for species to track their habitat. Studying the population dynamics of keystone species from these ecosystems can shed a light on climate – ecosystem interactions. Southern beeches are such keystone species in New Zealand with beech forests constituting the most abundant forest cover on the

ABSTRACT Notogrammitis (Polypodiaceae) is a medium-sized genus of ferns in New Zealand with 11 indigenous species. Lectotypes are chosen here for the basionyms Asplenium angustifolium Jacq., Grammitis humilis Hombr. and G. rigida Hombr., but no type material has been found for Grammitis australis var. alpina S.Jones or G. australis var. villosa Hook.f., and the types for these names remain undesignated

The Araucaria Mixed Forests (AMF) are subtropical conifer-hardwood mixed forests that are part of the Atlantic forest floristic dominion in Brazil and Argentina. The AMF is dominated by the conifer Araucaria angustifolia (hereafter araucaria), accompanied by a diversity of angiosperms. Its distribution largely corresponds to the 13°C isotherm and is associated with overall lower temperature, frost-prone

ABSTRACT A system based on cyanobacterial split inteins, SICLOPPs (Split Intein Circular Ligation of Proteins and Peptides), has been used to synthesise a small natively cyclic plant protein, kalata B1, and cyclised versions of the natively linear therapeutic peptides ziconotide and leconotide. The cyclic versions of these naturally linear peptides include linker sequences between their native termini

This study examines the taxonomic rank of the New Zealand endemic sedge Schoenus caespitans. This taxon has been alternatively recognised as a separate species or as a variety of Schoenus apogon and no clear consensus on its rank has been reached. We analysed chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences of sympatric S. caespitans and S. apogon from two populations. We found that S. caespitans and S. apogon

Gomortega keule is an endangered tree species, the single extant species of a monotypic family. It is safeguarded only in one protected area. Its recruitment and germination are low, possibly in part because rodents prey on the seeds. However, it remains unknown if any rodent preys upon its large fruit and if so, to what extent. In this work we aimed to evaluate the interaction and possible predation

Pyrrosia serpens is recorded here for the first time from the New Zealand Botanical Region, based on a single collection from Dayrell Island in the Kermadec Islands. This is a significant southern extension of range for the species, otherwise known in the Pacific from Fiji to Pitcairn and Henderson Islands. The identification of the Dayrell Island collection is based on evidence from both morphology

(2020). Biological classifications as hypotheses about order in nature. New Zealand Journal of Botany. Ahead of Print.

(2020). Absence of evidence doesn’t falsify a hypothesis. New Zealand Journal of Botany. Ahead of Print.

Syzygium maire is an endemic tree in New Zealand and classified as critically endangered. The in situ populations of this species are further threatened by the incursion of myrtle rust. The biology and ecology of S. maire have not been well documented and limited information on seed development, effective germination and seed storage behaviour of S. maire are hampering ex situ conservation and restoration

ABSTRACT Photosystem II is the pigment–protein complex that oxidises water and reduces plastoquinone in oxygenic photosynthesis. Each Photosystem II complex contains four core proteins surrounded by 13 low-molecular-weight proteins. The 5-kDa PsbT protein is one of the subunits found at the interface of functional Photosystem II dimers. We previously observed that deletion of PsbT in the cyanobacterium

African termites are classified into five distinct families, Termitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Hodotermitidae, Termopsidae and Kalotermitidae. Termites are undoubtedly one of the key ecosystem engineers. Because they harbour more nutritive plants, herbivory by large herbivores is biased towards mounds. Their engineering role is visible through construction of conspicuous termite mounds, which often harbour

The species described by Georg Forster as Pteris comans was once thought to be widespread across the Pacific. However, previous molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that a subclade within Pteris subgenus Campteria section Tripedipteris comprises a group of Oceanian species with anastomosing veins, and that the species described by Forster is actually a complex of many different species. P. zahlbruckneriana

Pteridaceae is a large family of ferns in New Zealand with six genera, 15 indigenous species and 11 naturalised species. Eleven lectotypes are designated for basionyms relevant to New Zealand – Adiantum affine var. heterophyllum Colenso, A. cunninghamii Hook., A. pullum Colenso, A. trapeziforme G.Forst., A. trigonum Labill., Cheilanthes sieberi var. deltoidea J.B.Armstr., C. kirkii J.B.Armstr., Pteris

The island of Rotuma lies about 580 km north of the main archipelago of Fiji, and while politically part of that country, it differs culturally and floristically. It has not typically been included in botanical treatments for Fiji as a whole despite visits from several botanists. Pteridophytes of Rotuma were described by St. John in 1954 based on a visit there in 1938, but little additional information

ABSTRACT The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is widely used as a model organism to study Photosystem II (PS II) of oxygenic photosynthesis. In response to inherent genetic instability in cyanobacteria we re-sequenced our strain of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, designated as Glucose Tolerant Otago 1 (GT-O1), to establish its genomic background [Morris JN, Crawford TS, Jeffs A, Stockwell PA,

A new species of Stolonivector (Lophocoleaceae) has been found from two separate sites in southern New Zealand. Stolonivector echioides has been assigned to this genus because it is has all the features of Stolonivector, namely the presence of stolons, a lack of secondary pigmentation, both lateral- and ventral-intercalary branching types, leafy branches that often become flagelliform, highly variable

This review summarises the ecology and biology of the North Island New Zealand endemic evergreen epiphytic shrub Pittosporum kirkii Hook.f. ex Kirk (Pittosporaceae). While mainly found as an epiphyte associated with other nest epiphytes such as Astelia spp., it also exhibits rupestral and terrestrial lifestyles. Pittosporum kirkii is distinguished from other members of New Zealand Pittosporum by distinctive

ABSTRACT Over the last 15 years, New Zealand led research on wastewater treatment high rate algal ponds (HRAP) has focused on ways to optimise pond performance, particularly with respect to nutrient removal and resource recovery (microalgal biomass production). The primary motivation for most of this research has been the need to cost-effectively improve wastewater treatment, particularly in small

Cyathus is a genus of gasteroid fungi characterised by a small fruitbody, with a cup or inverted bell shape. Distributed worldwide, the genus contains organisms that degrade organic matter, mainly decaying wood. In Brazilian northeast, there are 21 known of Cyathus, showing a huge taxonomic richness. In this study, nineteen specimens of Cyathus collected at Monte Pascoal National Park were analysed

The current threat of myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) to New Zealand Myrtaceae, including a number of indigenous and socio-economically important species, requires that ex situ conservation is used to complement in situ populations. New Zealand’s Myrtaceae have received little attention in terms of ex situ conservation. In this study, we assessed the integrated ex situ conservation strategies for

Development of specific microsatellite primers is a relatively expensive and time-consuming process, so transferring already developed markers from one species to others is desirable, especially for non-model organisms with large genome structure such as conifers. In austral South America, the three Cupressaceae are monotypic genera of high conservation and evolutionary relevance. Although they had

Compared to continental Antarctica, the lichen biota of the various subantarctic islands and island groups is poorly documented. Here we describe the new species Lecanora muscigena Øvstedal & Fryday from the subantarctic island of South Georgia from a collection made in 1980 that was previously included as Trapeliopsis sp. A. by Øvstedal & Lewis Smith in their comprehensive account of the Lichens of

Pilosella officinarum is a serious adventive weed in New Zealand. It has also proven to be highly invasive in other countries. The areas infested are typically extensive rangelands for which expensive control measures would be hard to justify economically. However, it has been known for many years that species of this genus are particularly sensitive to the concentration of boron in the soil. The application

Seed dispersal service is the proportion of plant species dispersed by a given disperser. It is important since seed dispersal enables colonisation of new habitats, and because movement of seeds even short distances away from trees can reduce vulnerability of seeds and seedlings to disease, predation and density-dependent effects that occur in the immediate vicinity of parent trees. In New Zealand

Phlegmariurus varius is an Australasian species of lycophyte that has long been recognised as morphologically and ecologically variable. A recent study reported incongruence between morphological and genetic variation within New Zealand samples. However, a reappraisal and repeat of the genetic analyses of chloroplast DNA sequence data, and a more detailed examination of morphological variation, strongly

The endemic bull kelp Durvillaea willana Lindauer grows on South and Stewart/Rakiura Islands, with a small North Island population on the northern Wairarapa coast. Drawing on field observations, the distribution of this species is mapped. Within its biogeographic range, there are three lengthy tracts of rocky shore where the kelp is conspicuously absent. These distributional gaps are: Wellington’s

A thorough morphological circumscription of the tribe Mutisieae (Asteraceae) was established in 1977 by Angel L. Cabrera (1908–1999), who made fundamental worldwide contributions to the taxonomy of the family Asteraceae. The advance of molecular phylogenetic studies resulted in portrayals of relationships that have impacted the classification of the whole family and particularly of the Mutisieae. The

Platanthera Rich. is a genus of ca. 125 species with a predominantly Northern Hemisphere distribution. A recent monograph of the genus did not cite important material from New Guinea. On the island the genus is represented by species from the tropical section Mecosa (Blume) Kraenzl. of subgenus Platanthera, which are not widely represented in herbaria and each specimen has a high value for taxonomic

The two frequent Ramalina species in southern South America are R. laevigata Fr., which has abundant apothecia, and R. terebrata Hook. f. & Taylor, which lacks apothecia but has abundant sorediate pseudocyphellae. However, two other taxa that predate Hooker and Taylor’s name were described from the Falkland Islands. These names are investigated here and R. flaccidissima Bory is shown to be the correct

Sophora sect. Edwardsia is a group of 19 species largely confined to the South Pacific, with New Zealand the centre of species diversity. We used DNA and morphological analyses to investigate the origins of six uncurated Sophora sect. Edwardsia specimens from the herbarium of John G. Baker and Silvanus Thompson housed at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. These specimens derive from Sophora

Worldwide, tree species sometimes fall victim to epidemics of microbial pathogens, usually spread by sap-sucking insects. One such example is the recent devastation of cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) in New Zealand by a damaging phytoplasm (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense’). Cabbage trees are among New Zealand’s most emblematic plant species, playing an iconic role in many landscapes. They

Ocellularia (Graphidaceae) is a genus of crustose lichens comprising c.200 species, four known from Australia and New Zealand. Based on recent collections from northern North Island, we describe a fifth species Ocellularia jacinda-arderniae, which is a member of the O. bicuspidata complex. This complex is characterised by peculiar, appendiculate ascospores and a psoromic acid chemistry. Two further

In angiosperms, the usual storage tissue found in seeds is the endosperm, which originates at the characteristic event of the double fertilisation. The mature seeds of Gomortega keule (Molina) Baillon, in the monotypic family Gomortegaceae, contain a storage tissue composed of two distinct parts. This uncommon form suggests one of the parts may actually correspond to perisperm. In this work we aimed

Blechnaceae is a medium-sized family of ferns in New Zealand with one genus, 23 indigenous species, two naturalised species and two nothospecies. A new combination, Blechnum × digenum (Parris) Brownsey & Perrie, is made for the hybrid between Blechnum molle (Parris) Christenh. and B. parrisiae Christenh. 11 lectotypes are chosen for basionyms relevant to New Zealand – Lomaria dura T. Moore, L. filiformis

Recent treatments have recognised seven species indigenous to New Zealand in the fern genus Adiantum. Most of these species display dimorphism with respect to the presence or absence of hairs on the abaxial pinna surfaces, or the nature of the hairs themselves. Taxonomic treatment of these dimorphisms has not been consistent, with variation sometimes treated at the specific or varietal levels, or not

(2019). Dr Elizabeth Edgar B.A., B.Sc., Ph.D., University of New Zealand, F.L.S. 1971–2000, 27 December 1929–1 January 2019. New Zealand Journal of Botany: Vol. 57, No. 4, pp. 197-203.

(2019). Editorial. New Zealand Journal of Botany: Vol. 57, No. 4, pp. 195-196.

In the tropics, the diversity of ectomycorrhizal milkcaps is predominantly represented by genus Lactifluus. In Brazil, species traditionally described as Lactarius need to be revised and recombined. Thus, seven milkcaps from Amazonia and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, published by Rick, Singer and co-authors were reviewed. Lactarius amazonensis, L. brasiliensis, L. braunii, L. mamorensis and L. russula

Epichloe endophytes (Clavicipitaceae) infect pooid grass genera worldwide but predominantly in the Northern Hemisphere, but appear to be rare in native grasses of the Southern Hemisphere. Because of benefits that hosts may receive from the symbiosis, Epichloe endophytes have been extensively studied and are considered important components of sustainable agriculture. There are only a few studies available

Psathyloma is an agaricoid genus described recently to accommodate two species of brown-spored agarics from Australasia superficially similar to Psathyrella and Hebeloma. Phylogenetic analyses published along with the description of the genus determined that an unidentified species of Psathyloma was also present in Patagonia based on ITS sequences from ectomycorrhizal root tips of Nothofagaceae trees

The New Zealand endemic and presumed extinct Stellaria elatinoides Hook.f. is shown to be conspecific with the Australian Stellaria multiflora Hook. subsp. multiflora and is treated as a heterotypic synonym. A suite of morphological characters unifies these two taxa, including an annual growth habit, glabrous stems and leaves, sessile leaves, monochasial inflorescences, usually apetalous flowers, short

Scientific interest has grown over recent years in response to greatly increased perception of the phylogenetic diversity within the conifers as a whole. Much of this has been stimulated by perspectives of increased knowledge of depths of divisions amongst the many living member groupings, especially from DNA-molecular analyses. Interest includes increasing awareness of just how different and ancient

This paper provides an assessment of the naturalisation status all exotic conifers present in New Zealand using existing herbarium specimens as qualifiers. A total; of 371 exotic taxa are confirmed as having been introduced for cultivation which represents 63% of world conifers that are non-native to New Zealand. In strong contrast to indigenous conifers, introduced conifers are predominantly from

A colonisation history for 411 extant genera and 477 lineages of the vascular flora of New Zealand was constructed using the plastid rbcL gene. Molecular clock crown ages suggest that the Eocene-Oligocene transition extinction at 33.9 Ma was critical to the development of the extant flora as few lineages, mostly ferns and conifers, predate this event. Based on crown dates, almost all extant angiosperm

(2019). Biology and biotechnological applications of microalgae and photosynthetic prokaryotes: Part 1. New Zealand Journal of Botany: Vol. 57, Special issue: Biology and biotechnological applications of microalgae and photosynthetic prokaryotes: Part 1. Guest Editors: Julian Eaton-Rye, Benoit Guieysse, Michael Packer, Tina Summerfield and Susanna Wood, pp. 65-69.

Brachyscome simplicifolia J.B.Armstr. was treated as incertae sedis by H.H. Allan in the Flora of New Zealand, Volume 1, published in 1961. At that time, H.H. Allan, along with the earlier flora writers T. Kirk and T.F. Cheeseman, had not seen herbarium material referable to that name. An authentic herbarium specimen from the Armstrong Herbarium, formally part of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Herbarium