Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Brassicales Bromhead
Family
Cruciferae
Genus
Lepidium L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Lepidium obtusatum Kirk, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 24: 423 (1892)
Synonymy:
Holotype: New Zealand: Port Nicholson, n.d., Miss Kirk, WELT SP030109! Notes: Kirk’s protologue for L. obtusatum states “Hab. North Island: Maritime rocks at the entrance to Port Nicholson, Miss Kirk” (Kirk 1892). Only one herbarium sheet annotated 'Lepidium obtusatum n.s., Port Nicholson, Miss Kirk' and so matching the protologue as to name, collector (Miss [Lily] Kirk), type locality, and labelled in the naming authors hand could be located in the WELT (the main herbarium where Kirk material has come to be lodged) so this sheet is regarded here as the holotype.
Etymology:
Although the exact meaning of the species “obtusatum” was not given by Kirk (1891) it seems that he took the name from the shape of the hypogynous glands (i.e. the nectaries) which he specifically noted (Kirk 1899) are “very short and obtuse”.
 Description

Glabrous perennial. Stems decumbent to ascending, stout, flexuous, 20–30 cm tall. Lvs all similar, obovate-spathulate, crenate to bluntly dentate. Rosette lvs 3–7 × 0.5–2 cm, cuneately narrowed to broad, flat petiole > lamina. Stem lvs toothed at apex, (0.5)–1–2–(5) × (0.3)–0.5–1.5 cm; petiole < lamina or 0. Racemes terminal on short leafy branchlets, (2)–3–5 cm long; pedicels erecto-patent, 3–5 mm long at fruiting. Sepals c. 1.5 × 0.8 mm. Petals white, obovate, < or = sepals. Stamens 4 or 6. Silicle broadly ovate, shallowly notched at apex, slightly winged, 4.5–5.5 × 4–4.5 mm; style very short; stigma = notch. Seeds broadly ovoid to triangular, brown, not winged, c. 2 x 2 mm.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Jul.; Fruiting: Dec.–Jul.

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Heenan, P.B.; Houliston, G.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Mitchell, A.D. 2013: New Lepidium (Brassicaceae) from New Zealand. PhytoKeys 24: 1–147.
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. [Extinct]
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. [Presumed extinct]
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. [Extinct]
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. [Extinct]
Kirk, T. 1892: Descriptions of new plants from the vicinity of Port Nicholson. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 24: 423–425.