The flora of antipodes island

Abstract

The history of botanical exploration of Antipodes Island begins in 1890 and is outlined up to 1985. The numbers of terrestrial species now known are algae (3), fungi (2), lichens (17), liverworts (37), mosses (21), lycopods (3), ferns (17), and flowering plants (52). Three of the latterare adventive (Poa annua, Stellaria media, Sonchus asper). The 20 species of indigenous monocotyledons comprise 7 sedges, 2rushes,4 terrestrial orchids, and7 grasses; and the 29 species of indigenous dicotyledons comprise 25 herbs, 2 semi-woody species (Acaena minor, Coprosmaperpusilla) and 2 shrubs Coprosma rugosa (erect), and C. ciliata (decumbent). The only terrestrial taxa endemic to the island are Gentiana antipoda, Senecio radiolatus subsp. antipodus, and Stellaria decipiens var. angustata. Ten species of flowering plants (including Coprosma cuneata), a fern, and 2 liverworts, have been erroneously listed from the island. Flowering times are given and pollination is discussed. The trans-oceanic colonisation of this relatively young Pleistocene volcanic island is considered in terms of wind, birds and people, and the term palynochory is proposed for dispersal by dust-diaspores. The principal sources have been the New Zealand mainland to the west, the Auckland and Campbell Islands to the south-west, and the Chatham Islands to the north. The term Campbell Botanical Province is proposed, to include the Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, and Macquarie Islands. © 1989 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.