Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Genus
Colobanthus Bartl.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Colobanthus canaliculatus Kirk, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 27: 357 (1895)
 Description

Plant a compact cushion, branches close, lfy along their length. Lvs stiff, squarrose, sheath short and inconspicuous; blade c. 3–4 mm. long, subulate, canaliculate, narrowed into short acicular tip, strongly bordered, in younger lvs with groove between border and broad rounded midrib when dry. Peduncles short. Fls 2.5–3 mm. long; sepals 5, ovate to broadly triangular, with thickened keel and often margin also, obtuse or tapering to short apicula; capsule splitting into 5 narrow lobes = or slightly > calyx.

[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Jan.; Fruiting: Dec.–Apr.

 Bibliography
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. [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. [Not Threatened]
Kirk, T. 1895: A Revision of the New Zealand Species of Colobanthus, Bartling. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 27: 354–359.