Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Myrtales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Onagraceae
Genus
Epilobium L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Epilobium glabellum G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 27 (1786)
Synonymy:
  • = Epilobium erubescens Hausskn., Monogr. Epilobium 306, t. 23, f. 98 (1884)
  • = Epilobium vernicosum Cheeseman, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 28: 535 (1896)
  • = Epilobium erubescens var. suberecta Kirk, Stud. Fl. New Zealand 175 (1899)
  • = Epilobium rubromarginatum Cockayne, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 48: 195 (1916) – as rubro-marginatum
 Description

Bushy or sometimes matted herb, much-branched, from a stout taproot; branches sometimes straggling and rooting near base, 5–40 cm long. Stems with lines of strigillose, erect eglandular or glandular hairs decurrent from margins of petioles. Lamina of lf elliptic to lanceolate or narrowly ovate, 0.5–2 × 0.2–0.7 cm. Floral tube 0.6–1.5–(3.2) mm deep, glabrous. Petals white or rose-purple, often flushed pink after pollination, 3–8–(18) × 2–5–(12) mm. Capsule glabrous, 2–4–(6.5) cm long; fruiting pedicel 0–0.4–(0.6) cm long.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Mar.

 Bibliography
Cheeseman, T.F. 1896: On some additions to the New Zealand flora. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 28: 534–537.
Cockayne, L. 1916: Notes on New Zealand floristic botany, including descriptions of new species, etc. (No. 1). Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 48: 193–202.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [as Epilobium vernicosum Cheeseman] [Naturally uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76. [as Epilobium vernicosum Cheeseman]
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; 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. [Naturally Uncommon; Not Threatened]
Forster, J.G.A. 1786: Florulae Insularum Australium Prodromus. Dietrich, Göttingen.
Haussknecht, H.C. 1884: Monographie der Gattung Epilobium. Jena.
Kirk,T. 1899: The Students' Flora of New Zealand and the Outlying Islands. Government Printer, Wellington, N.Z.
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.