Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Saxifragales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Crassulaceae
Genus
Crassula L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Crassula mataikona A.P.Druce in Connor & Edgar, New Zealand J. Bot. 25: 128 (1987)
Synonymy:
  • = Tillaea debilis Colenso ex Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II. (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part I, 75 (1852)
  • ≡ Crassula debilis (Colenso ex Hook.f.) A.P.Druce & Given, New Zealand J. Bot. 22 (1984)
Etymology:
The epithet mataikona refers to the place name Mataikona (East Coast, North Island).
 Description

Small annual or perennial herb forming small, rather loose clumps; stems usually decumbent, rooting at lower nodes in moist conditions, sometimes obviously erect and ascending 1–2 cm, much-branched. Lvs connate at base, 1.7–3 × 1–1.2 mm, c. 0.8 mm thick, ovate-elliptic, flattened above, convex beneath; apex obtuse or subacute. Fls solitary in lf axils, not star-like, 4-merous, 1.2–1.8 mm diam.; pedicels < 1 mm long at anthesis, elongating up to 3–(4) mm long at fruiting. Calyx lobes 0.8–1 × c. 0.4 mm, triangular-lanceolate, acute or subacute. Petals 0.7–1 × c. 0.4 mm, ovate, greenish with deep pink tips, acuminate, usually slightly < calyx, occasionally ± = calyx. Scales c. 0.25 mm long, very narrowly spathulate. Follicles smooth. Seed 0.4–0.45 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Sep.–Mar.

 Bibliography
Connor, H.E.; Edgar, E. 1987: Name changes in the indigenous New Zealand flora, 1960–1986 and Nomina Nova IV, 1983–1986. New Zealand Journal of Botany 25: 115–170.
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]
Druce, A.P.; Given, D. R. 1984: New combinations in New Zealand Crassula (Crassulaceae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 22: 583–583.
Hooker, J.D. 1852–1853 ("1853"): The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the Years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part I. Flowering plants. Lovell Reeve, London.