Marley Ford

Despite being a critical phase of the fern life cycle, gametophytes are often overlooked. However, the characterisation of fern gametophytes is being revolutionised by the ability to make identifications using DNA sequencing. Here, in a first for Aotearoa New Zealand, we use DNA sequencing to identify two fern gametophyte collections. Both have a branching, ribbon-like morphology, unlike the cordiform morphology of most fern gametophytes and were identified in the field as thalloid liverworts. DNA sequencing revealed both to be species of Hymenophyllum endemic to New Zealand: H. demissum and H. revolutum . There are few collections in New Zealand’s herbaria focused on fern gametophytes, making these valuable additions. We call for greater investigation and documentation of fern gametophytes in New Zealand and raise the possibility that unrecorded species may be present as gametophyte-only populations as has been found elsewhere in the world.

We report the first verified records of Youngia japonica subsp. japonica (Asteraceae: Tribe Cichorieae) in northern Aotearoa / New Zealand. Five populations have been discovered across Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland and Te Tai Tokerau / Northland. Specimens were identified using morphological characteristics consistent with flora descriptions, and verified through sequencing using nrDNA ITS (ITS1 and ITS2 spacer regions) and the chloroplast trnH-psbA intergenic spacer. The presence of Youngia japonica in Aotearoa extends its known distribution into the southwestern Pacific, and adds to the growing body of evidence that imported coco peat ‘soils’ are adding to the weed flora of the country. We also explore the potential weediness of Youngia in Aotearoa.

The Mediterranean species Ranunculus trilobus Desf. (Ranunculaceae) is reported here for the first time as naturalised in Aotearoa / New Zealand. The new exotic was initially reported on the citizen science network iNaturalist during a COVID-19 lockdown in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland (1 September–15 December 2021). Since then, additional records have been confirmed from other localities in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland and Te Tai Tokerau / Northland. Ranunculus trilobus is illustrated here, and a key is provided to distinguish it from other exotic Ranunculus species present in Aotearoa / New Zealand. This discovery highlights the important role both community science and herbaria can play in biodiversity research, and how COVID-19 lockdowns indirectly contributed to botanical discoveries.

Psoroma urupukapukianum is described from Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands, Te Tai Tokerau / Northland, Aotearoa / New Zealand based on two herbarium collections made in 1980. It has recently been sought at its type locality without success. The species is corticolous and squamulose, developing into a crust of gymnidia, where c. 3/4 represent the chloromorph and the remaining parts are conspicuous cephalodia with the same external morphology as the chloromorph. The species lacks lichen substances by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and the asci have apical IKI+ structures like other Psoroma species, but the ascospores differ in having long-apiculate perispores. The new species is hypothesised to represent a separate lineage in Pannariaceae, but fresh material for molecular phylogenetic analysis is needed. Psoroma caliginosum and P. melanizum are both newly treated here as synonyms of Pannaria pholidotoides described from the Otago / Ōtakou area. There is also still another unnamed species and an unresolved name from this area. The ascospores of Pannaria pholidotoides have a gibbose perispore, contrasting the long-apiculate perispores of the related species P. implexa. Knowledge of perispore morphology is decisive for identifying squamulose Pannaria species.

The widespread endemic tree Lophomyrtus bullata (ramarama; Myrtaceae) is in serious decline. Lophomyrtus bullata is now considered threatened due to the ongoing spread of Austropuccinia psidii, a rust fungus causing myrtle rust disease. Mycorrhizal communities play an important role in the survival of plant species and have a potential role in disease resistance. Thus, we examined the fungal communities of L.

Verbena incompta, an apparent native of South America, has been a misunderstood weed in New Zealand. Verbena incompta had been confused as intermediate between V. bonariensis and V. brasiliensis in Australia and Europe. Now Verbena incompta is known as a distinct species, being named in 1995. Until recently, this plant was mistaken for V. bonariensis in New Zealand, where it is widespread, found from the north of the North Island to the north of the South Island. Verbena incompta is a more robust plant then the rarer V. bonariensis, and these species can be easily separated: V. incompta has elongated flower spikes and V. bonariensis a broader corolla. The presence and history of the V. incompta in New Zealand is discussed with notes on its distribution and invasiveness since its naturalisation in 1871. The three species in the Verbena bonariensis complex (V. incompta and V. brasiliensis being the other two species) are compared and discussed with particular attention paid to distinguishing V. incompta and V. bonariensis. This was done through review of the overseas literature, and the examination and reidentification of herbarium material of Verbena in New Zealand. This showed that V. incompta is the most common weedy species of the Verbena bonariensis complex collected in New Zealand.