Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Solanales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Convolvulaceae
Genus
Convolvulus L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Convolvulus verecundus f. glaberrimus Heenan & Molloy, Phytotaxa 415: 39-40 (2019)
Synonymy:
Type: North Otago, Awahokomo valley, main limestone tower, 480 m, growing in crevices and cracks of limestone surface, 18 March 2004, B. P. J. Molloy s.n. (holotype, CHR 610091!).
  • = Convolvulus aff. verecundus “Awahokomo” nom. inval.
Etymology:
The specific epithet glaberrimus (glaber, hairless; rimus, to the greatest degree) refers the leaves being glabrous in comparison to the hairy leaves of the closely related C. verecundus.
 Description

Leaves in rosettes and alternate on stems, 6.5–12.0 × 4.0–8.0 mm, deltoid, deltoid-ovate to ± broadoblong, brown-green; labrous to glabrate; veins prominent and strongly translucent; margin undulate, occasionally sinuate; base truncate, obtuse, occasionally oblique or slightly cordate; apex retuse or obtuse; petiole channelled, glabrous to glabrate.

© Magnolia Press. Reproduced from Heenan & Molloy 2019 (Phytotaxa 415 (1): page 39) with permission from Magnolia Press.

 Habitat

An obligate calcicole. Occurs in ledges, cracks and crevices infilled with limestone fragments, and on shallow skeletal rendzina and colluvium (Heenan & Molloy 2019).

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)

At Awahokomo Convolvulus verecundus forma glaberrimus occupies an area of about 12m2 and comprises about 15 individual plants. Therefore, we recommend that it be assessed as Threatened, Nationally Critical, with the criterion “A” of very small population (natural or unnatural). Two of the Nationally Critical A subcriteria apply to C. verrucundus forma glaberrimus: A(1) < 250 mature individuals and A(3) total area of occupancy ≤ 1 hectare (Townsend et al. 2008). The qualifier DP (data poor) and OL (one location) apply. The data poor qualifier refers to the lack of population trend data, and the one location qualifier applies because it is known only from Awahokomo.

© Magnolia Press. Reproduced from Heenan & Molloy 2019 (Phytotaxa 415 (1): page 40) with permission from Magnolia Press.

 Bibliography
Heenan, P.B.; Molloy, B.P.J. 2019: Five new and Nationally Threatened taxa of Brachyscome, Cardamine, Convolvulus, Geranium and Ranunculus obligate to vulnerable limestone habitats, eastern South Island, New Zealand. Phytotaxa 415(1): 032–048.
Townsend, A.J.; de Lange, P.J.; Duffy, C.A.J.; Miskelly, C.M.; Molloy, J.; Norton, D.A 2008: New Zealand threat classification system manual . Department of Conservation Science & Technical Publishing, Wellington.