Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Genus
Scleranthus L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Scleranthus uniflorus P.A.Will., Rec. Domin. Mus. 3: 14 (1956)
 Description

Cushion-forming perennial; stems decumbent, to 5 cm tall, glabrous; internodes c. 1 mm long. Lvs paired, imbricate, linear or ± subulate, glabrous or minutely scabrid on margins near base, acute or shortly acicular, 1.5–5 × 0.3–0.5 mm. Peduncles glabrous, short at flowering, elongating at fruiting to (1)–3–9 mm. Bracts in 1 pair, deltoid, scarious, keeled, 0.5–0.8 mm long. Fls solitary. Sepals 4, narrow-triangular, not scarious, at fruiting connivent and c. 1/2 length of the smooth perigynous zone; whole fr. 1.5–2 mm long. Stamen 1–(2), included in calyx.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Jan.–(Mar.); Fruiting: (Jul.)–Dec.–Apr.–(Jun.)

 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]
Williamson, P.A. 1956: The Genus Scleranthus in New Zealand. Records of the Dominion Museum, Wellington 3: 13–17.