Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Rosales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Urticaceae
Genus
Elatostema J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Elatostema rugosum A.Cunn., Annals of Natural History 1: 215 (1838)
Vernacular Name(s):
New Zealand begonia; Parataniwha; Paratāniwhaniwha
 Description

Stems stout, fleshy, decumbent and woody at base, then erect or suberect up to 15 dm. tall, sparingly branched. Lvs alt., 8–25 × 2.5–6 cm., auricled and semiamplexicaul at base; lamina obliquely obovate-oblong to lanceolate, membr., sharply and coarsely serrate, rugose, beset with minute asperities. Stipules lanceolate, deciduous. Glomerules unisexual or sts mixed. Staminate glomerules up to 15 mm. diam. or more, with broad bracts; fls pedicelled; bracteoles broad, glab.; per.-segs hyaline, acuminate. Pistillate glomerules with narrower bracts and bracteoles; fls subsessile, per. of 4 hyaline pubescent segs. Achene minute, ovoid.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Sep.–May.; Fruiting: Sep.–May.

 Bibliography
Annals of Natural History
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]