Libertia flaccidifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. The plant was first described by Dan Blanchon and J.S. Weaver in 2009, and is thought to be endemic to northern Rodney in the Auckland Region, New Zealand.
| Libertia flaccidifolia | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Iridaceae |
| Genus: | Libertia |
| Species: | L. flaccidifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Libertia flaccidifolia Blanchon & J.S.Weaver
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Taxonomy
editThe species was formally described after specimens of the plants were discovered on Mount Tamahunga in January 2006. The earliest known herbarium specimen was collected by Lucy Moore in 1961 from Mount Tamahunga.[2] Dan Blanchon and J.S. Weaver named the species flaccidifolia, referencing the droopy leaves of the species not seen in other similar Libertia species of New Zealand.[2] Before being formally described, the species was referred to as Libertia aff. ixioides.[2]
Description
editLibertia flaccidifolia consists of closely bunched leaves that arise from rhizomes. The species has broad, flaccid leaves, and has white and yellow flowers that appear between September and November.[3] The species can be distinguished from L. ixioides and L. grandiflora due to the leaves being significantly more flaccid, or due to its distinct flower shape.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species is endemic to New Zealand. Originally thought to be endemic to Mount Tamahunga, further specimens of the plan have been found across the northern Rodney area of the Auckland Region, New Zealand.[2][4] L. flaccidifolia is one of the few plants endemic to the Auckland Region.[5]
The species is typically found in mixed forest or shrubland 300 m (980 ft) above sea level or higher, along ridge lines or clay banks.[3]
Gallery
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Specimen from the herbarium of the Auckland War Memorial Museum -
Specimen from the herbarium of the Auckland War Memorial Museum -
Fruit of Libertia flaccidifolia -
Leaves arizing from the rhyzome of Libertia flaccidifolia -
Libertia flaccidifolia in bloom
References
edit- ^ "Libertia flaccidifolia Blanchon & J.S.Weaver". New Zealand Threat Classification System. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Blanchon, D. J.; Weaver, J. S. (September 2009). "Libertia flaccidifolia (Iridaceae), a new species from Mt Tamahunga, Northland, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 47 (3): 317–324. doi:10.1080/00288250909509812. ISSN 0028-825X. Wikidata Q54629030.
- ^ a b "Libertia flaccidifolia". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Libertia flaccidifolia". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ Simpkins, Emma; Woolly, Jacinda; de Lange, Peter; Kilgour, Cameron; Cameron, Ewen; Melzer, Sabine (December 2022). Conservation Status of Vascular Plant Species in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 11 September 2024.