Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Family
Boraginaceae
Genus
Myosotis L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Myosotis pulvinaris Hook.f., Handb. New Zealand Fl. 193 (1864)
Synonymy:
Type: Otago, 6000 feet (~1800 m ASL), 1863, J. Hector no. 11, Type specimen!, Herbarium Hookerianum 1867 (with drawing and watercolour 'No. 8', perhaps by John Buchanan, attached) (holo: K000787905!†; iso: CHR 97404! (fragment removed from K type sheet). K000787905 is on the same sheet as K000787903 (the holotype of M. hectorii, see below) and K000787904 (T. Kirk, Otago), each clearly physically separated from one another).
  • = Myosotis hectorii Hook.f., Handb. New Zealand Fl. 193 (1864)
Type: Otago lake district alpine, dry places, 5000 feet (~1500 m), 1864–1865, J. Hector and J. Buchanan 18 (except second plant from bottom on left = M. glabrescens) (holo: K000787903!†; iso: CHR 97409! (fragment removed from K type sheet)).
Etymology:
The epithet is derived from the Latin pulvinaris (cushion, pillow) and refers to the habit of this species.
 Description

Compact rounded cushion, rooting from some nodes. Stems 1–3 cm long, crowded, ± erect, closely covered with imbricating lvs; lamina very broadly spathulate; tip broadly obtuse; hairs long, silky, crowded, ± appressed on both surfaces. Flowering branches very short, ± hidden, with a few narrow lvs surrounding solitary, terminal fl. Calyx hairs long, soft, copious. Corolla white, c. 6 mm diam.; tube 2× length of lobes. Filaments short; anther tips just protruding above scales.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 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]
Hooker, J.D. 1864: Handbook of the New Zealand Flora: a systematic description of the native plants of New Zealand and the Chatham, Kermadec's, Lord Auckland's, Campbell's and Macquarie's Islands. Part I. Reeve, London.
Meudt, H.M.; Prebble, J.M. 2018: Species limits and taxonomic revision of the bracteate-prostrate group of southern hemisphere forget-me-nots (Myosotis, Boraginaceae), including description of three new species endemic to New Zealand. Australian Systematic Botany 31: 48–105.