Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Genus
Colobanthus Bartl.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Colobanthus squarrosus Cheeseman, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 28: 534 (1896) subsp. squarrosus
 Description

Plant forming cushions to c. 50(–70) cm diameter (large cushions may be formed from the coalescence of several individuals). Leaf blade (1.4–)4–7(–9) mm long including a shortly acicular tip (0.3–)0.5(–0.9) mm long. Sepals mostly 2.5–3.5 mm long, predominantly white at anthesis (with a pale green median strip abaxially) but becoming pale green at fruiting, the apex occasionally cucullate, often with a small apiculus 0.1- 0.3(-0.4) mm long. Stamens (3-)5(-7.8) mm long. Ovary white to yellowish at flowering becoming pale green at fruiting; styles 1.5-3.5 mm long. Peduncles (1.1-)3-6(-12.7) mm long at fruiting; bracteoles (1.4-)2-3(-3.7) mm long with a short apiculate tip 0.1-0.3(-0.4) mm long.

[Reproduced from Sneddon (1999, New Zealand J. Bot. 37: 195-204) with permission from The Royal Society of New Zealand.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
Cheeseman, T.F. 1896: On some additions to the New Zealand flora. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 28: 534–537.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Naturally uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
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. [Naturally Uncommon]
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. [Naturally Uncommon]
Sneddon, B.V. 1999: The taxonomy and breeding system of Colobanthus squarrosus (Caryophyllaceae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 37(2): 195–204.