Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Genus
Colobanthus Bartl.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Colobanthus buchananii Kirk, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 27: 358, t. 27 (1895)
Vernacular Name(s):
Pin cushion
 Description

Plant us. of rather compact habit, stems 1–3 cm. or longer in sheltered habitats. Lvs us. closely placed over length of stem, spreading; sheath short, blade linear-subulate, 5–10 mm. long, tapering to often long acicular tips, strongly bordered when dry. Peduncles short (occ. 1 cm. long). Fls (4)–5–(8) mm. long; sepals 5, subulate from broad base, thickened on midrib, us. with long acicular tips; capsule splitting into 5 narrow valves, shorter than sepals, sts much shorter.

[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Jan.; Fruiting: Jan.–Mar.

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Kirk, T. 1895: A Revision of the New Zealand Species of Colobanthus, Bartling. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 27: 354–359.