Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Lamiales Bromhead
Family
Plantaginaceae Juss.
Genus
Callitriche L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Callitriche muelleri Sond., Linnaea 28: 229 (1856)
Synonymy:
  • = Callitriche macropteryx Hegelm. (1864)
  • = Callitriche microphylla Colenso, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 20: 190 (1887 [1888])
Vernacular Name(s):
Starwort
 Description

Monoecious, prostrate, branching, terrestrial herb. Lvs 2.5–7.5 × 1.5–4.8 mm; lamina thin, typically rhomboid, broader than long, with a single small tooth on either side and with a free vein running to it, otherwise 3–5-nerved; earlier-formed lvs simpler in outline. Fls usually 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ together in an axil, ebracteolate. Filaments c. 0.2–0.3 mm long. Styles c. 0.05 mm long, lengthening to 0.15 mm in young fr. but falling before maturity. Fr. 1.1–(1.2) × (1.2)–1.3–(1.4) mm, broadly obcordate or oblong, ferrugineous; wing broad and conspicuous, membranous, crispate, pale brown or whitish; faces shallowly grooved; commissural groove deep.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.

 Images
Image: P.B. Heenan © Landcare Research 2014
Image: P.B. Heenan © Landcare Research 2014
 Bibliography
Colenso, W. 1888: On new Phænogamic plants of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 20: 188–211.
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]
Lansdown, R.V. 2022: The genus Callitriche (Plantaginaceae, Callitricheae) in Australasia and Oceania. Phytotaxa 547(3): 243–284.
Sonder, O.W. 1856: Plantae Muellerianae - Desvauxieae. Linnaea 28(2): 226–227.