Helichrysum simpsonii subsp. tumidum
Synonyms
Helichrysum selago var. tumidum Cheeseman
Family
Asteraceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants.
Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – an interim threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
- Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017 . 2018. Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley. Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable | Qualifiers: Dp, RR
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: OL
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon
2004 | Range Restricted
Brief description
Low growing masses of green and white stems inhabiting coastal cliffs of Otago Peninsula. Stems 3-4mm wide. Leaves scale-like, variable in shape, green, pointed, embedded in whiteish fuzz. Flowers yellowish, in tight cluster at tip of stems.
Flower colours
Cream
Etymology
helichrysum: From the Greek words helios ‘sun’ and chrysos ‘gold’, referring to the colour of the flowers of some species
Taxonomic notes
The name Helichrysum intermedium G.Simpson has been used since 1982 when it was found that the type specimen of H. selago (Hook.f.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Kirk was based on a hybrid. In 2023, the name H. intermedium was determined to be illegitimate for the New Zealand taxon, as the name had already been applied to another taxon occurring around the Cape of Good Hope, Africa. Helichrysum simpsonii subsp. tumidum (Cheeseman) de Lange & Blanchon is provided as a new valid combination for the taxon that was originally described as Helichrysum selago var. tumidum.
References and further reading
de Lange PJ, Blanchon DJ. 2023. New combinations in Helichrysum simpsonii Kottaim. for the taxa described as H. selago var. acutum Cheeseman and H. selago var. tumidum Cheeseman (Asteraceae) from Aotearoa / New Zealand. Ukrainian Botanical Journal 80(4): 301–305.