Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Saxifragales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Crassulaceae
Genus
Crassula L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Crassula ruamahanga A.P.Druce emend de Lange & Heenan in Connor & Edgar, New Zealand J. Bot. 25: 128 (1987)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Tillaea acutifolia Kirk, Stud. Fl. New Zealand 143 (1899)
  • ≡ Crassula acutifolia (Kirk) A.P.Druce & Given, New Zealand J. Bot. 22: 583 (1984)
  • = Tillaea pusilla var. brevia Kirk
  • = Tillaea pusilla Kirk, Stud. Fl. New Zealand 143 (1899)
  • ≡ Crassula pusilla (Kirk) A.P.Druce & Given, New Zealand J. Bot. 22: 583 (1984)
  • ≡ Crassula hunua A.P.Druce in Connor & Edgar, New Zealand J. Bot. 25: 128 (1987) nom. nov. pro Crassula pusilla (Kirk) A.P.Druce & Given 1984
Etymology:
The epithet ruamahanga refers to the Ruamahanga River, Wairarapa, beside which the type locality, the old Maori site of Hurunuiorangi, is situated.
 Description

Small perennial herb forming small to large and extensive loose mats; stems prostrate, rooting at nodes, with very slightly ascending tips, much-branched. Lvs connate at base, 1.3–5 × 0.4–1 mm, 0.2–0.4 mm thick, lanceolate, linear- lanceolate, or elliptic-lanceolate, flattened or slightly concave above, convex beneath; apex sharply acute, shortly acuminate or apiculate. Fls solitary in lf axils, star-like, 4-merous, 1.8–2.5 mm diam.; pedicels 0.5–1 mm long, scarcely elongating at fruiting. Calyx lobes 0.8–1 × 0.4–0.6 mm, triangular or triangular-ovate, acute. Petals 1–1.3 × 0.5–0.7 mm, ovate or triangular-ovate, white or pink-flushed, acute or sharply acute, slightly > calyx. Scales c. 0.5 mm long, ± cuneate. Follicles smooth. Seed c. 0.5 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Feb.

 Bibliography
Connor, H.E.; Edgar, E. 1987: Name changes in the indigenous New Zealand flora, 1960–1986 and Nomina Nova IV, 1983–1986. New Zealand Journal of Botany 25: 115–170.
de Lange, P.J.; Heenan, P.B.; Keeling, D.J.; Murray, B.G.; Smissen, R.; Sykes, W.R. 2008: Biosystematics and Conservation: A Case Study with Two Enigmatic and Uncommon Species of Crassula from New Zealand. Annals of Botany 101: 881–899.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Naturally uncommon; Not threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
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. [Naturally Uncommon]
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. [Naturally Uncommon]
Druce, A.P.; Given, D. R. 1984: New combinations in New Zealand Crassula (Crassulaceae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 22: 583–583.
Kirk,T. 1899: The Students' Flora of New Zealand and the Outlying Islands. Government Printer, Wellington, N.Z.