Myosotis pygmaea
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Species
Myosotis pygmaea
Etymology
Myosotis: mouse-eared
pygmaea: tiny
Common Name(s)
pygmy forget-me-not
Current Threat Status
2012 - At Risk - Declining
Previous Threat Status
2009 - At Risk - Declining
2004 - Serious Decline
Qualifiers
2012 - Sp
2009 - Sp
Authority
Myosotis pygmaea Colenso
Qualifiers
Sp
Family
Boraginaceae
Brief Description
Ground hugging rosette herb in 1cm to several cm clumps. Lateral branched few to many, prostrate, up to 9cm long. Leaves oval to spoon-shaped; upper surface hairy except towards base, lower surface almost hairless. Leaf hairs stiff and spreading. Flowers white to cream, 3mm diameter.
Flora Category
Vascular - Native
Synonyms
Myosotis ramificata G.Simpson; Myosotis pygmaea Colenso var. pygmaea
Distribution
North Island south from the Coromandel Peninsula (a small islet near Coromandel Harbour), including Hawke's Bay, Castlepoint, South Taranaki Coast and near Cape Palliser. South Island, south from Nelson, mainly east of main divide.
Habitat
Open coastal habitats to upland grassland, herbfield, open rocky, sandy places and stream sides. Sea level to 1200m altitude.
Similar Taxa
Myosotis brevis.
Myosotis pygmaea has larger flowers than Myosotis brevis.
Flowering
(August-) September to December (however sporadic flowering may occur throughout the year)
Main Flower Colour
White
Other Flower Colour
Cream
Fruiting
September to January (however fruits may be found throughout the year)
Propagation Technique
Easily grown from fresh seed. However, plants are short-lived and prone to fungal diseases in humid climates.
Threats
The main threat throughout this species range is loss of habitat, caused by land development, weed invasion and coastal erosion.
Chromosome No.
2n = 44
Endemic Taxon
Yes
Endemic Genus
No
Endemic Family
No
Where To Buy
Not commercially available.
Notes on taxonomy
The autonym Myosotis pygmaea var. pygmaea became unnecessary when de Lange & Barkla elevated the other varieties of M. pygmaea to species rank in de Lange et al. (2010).
References and further reading
Allan, H.H. 1961: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. I. Government Printer, Wellington.
de Lange, P.J.; Heenan, P.B.; Norton, D.A.; Rolfe, J.R.; Sawyer, J.W.D. 2010: Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. 
This page last updated on 17 Apr 2014
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