Senecio australis Willd. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) – a new and uncommon addition to the indigenous vascular flora of New Zealand

• Published in: New Zealand journal of botany Vol. 52; no. 4; pp. 417 - 428
• Main Authors: de Lange, PJ, Rolfe, JR, Liew, CS, Pelser, PB
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 02-10-2014; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Asteraceae; biostatus; conservation status; flora; Flowers & plants; islands; ITS DNA sequences; lautusoid Senecio; new species; New Zealand flora; Norfolk Island group; Procelsterna; S. australis; S. marotiri; seabirds; Senecio; New Zealand
• ISSN: 1175-8643; 0028-825X; 1175-8643
• DOI: 10.1080/0028825X.2014.973421

Senecio australis is confirmed as present in New Zealand. A full description based on New Zealand specimens is also provided. Senecio australis was discovered in New Zealand in 1994. Prior to this date, the absence of supporting specimens had caused this species to be rejected from the New Zealand flora and treated as endemic to Norfolk Island. In this paper, the biostatus of S. australis in New Zealand is reviewed and it is concluded that the species is most likely a recent natural, bird-assisted arrival from Norfolk Island. The most probable seed vector of the Senecio is the grey ternlet (Procelsterna cerulea albivitta), a small seabird common on Norfolk and Kermadec Islands, which periodically visits northern New Zealand waters. The conservation status of S. australis is briefly discussed and the current status of ‘Non-Resident Native/Vagrant’ awarded to the species by the New Zealand Threatened Indigenous Vascular Plant panel is considered to be still appropriate.