Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Myrtales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Onagraceae
Genus
Epilobium L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Epilobium angustum (Cheeseman) P.H.Raven & Engelhorn, New Zealand J. Bot. 9: 349 (1971)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Epilobium nerteroides var. angustum Cheeseman, Man. New Zealand Fl., ed. 2, 611 (1925)
  • = Epilobium nummulariifolium var. angustum Cheeseman, Man. New Zealand Fl. 180 (1906)
 Description

Creeping herb, forming small mats up to 25 cm diam., sometimes forming dense turf; indumentum of glandular, ascending or, more commonly, spreading hairs (sometimes mixed), occasionally also with scattered appressed hairs, very sparse on stems and generally in lines decurrent from petiole margins, usually confined to new growth. Lamina of lf usually oblong to ovate or obovate, occasionally suborbicular, 0.15–1.2 × 0.1–0.5 cm, rugose above. Floral tube 0.6–3 mm deep, sparsely to densely hairy. Petals white, 2.9–8 × 1.4–5.8 mm. Capsules often finely torulose, sparsely to densely hairy, 0.7–1.3–(1.6) cm long; fruiting pedicels 0.7–5.0–(8) cm long.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Apr.

 Bibliography
Cheeseman, T.F. 1906: Manual of the New Zealand Flora. Government Printer, Wellington.
Cheeseman, T.F. 1925: Manual of the New Zealand Flora. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
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. [Naturally Uncommon]
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. [Naturally Uncommon]
Raven, P.H.; Engelhorn, T. 1971: New Taxa and New Combinations in Australasian Epilobium (Onagraceae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 9: 345–350.
Raven, P.H.; Raven, T. E. 1976: The Genus Epilobium (Onagraceae) in Australasia: a Systematic and Evolutionary Study. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 216: 1–321.