Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Ericales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Pentachondra R.Br.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Pentachondra pumila (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. 549 (1810)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Epacris pumila J.R.Forst. & G.Forst., Char. Gen. Pl., ed. 2. 20 (1776)
 Description

Slender much-branched procumbent shrub, forming patches up to c. 4 dm. diam. Branches and branchlets close-set, pubescent or occ. subglab. Lvs crowded on flat petioles c. 0·5 mm. long. Lamina oblong to ovoid-oblong to broad-elliptic, bluntly keeled, concavo-convex to flat (all forms may be present on a single plant), ± 3–5 × 1–2 mm., coriac., ± shining, margins minutely ciliolate. Fls very small, solitary, axillary, near tips of branchlets; bracts and bracteoles obtuse, < calyx; calyx-lobes obtuse, cioliolate, Corolla-tube > calyx, cylindric, lobes short, bearded within, recurved, white to reddish. Fr. ± 5–6 mm. diam., red to orange, globose to subpyriform, style persistent. Pyrenes 5–8–10.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Feb.; Fruiting: Dec.–Apr.

 Bibliography
Brown, R. 1810: Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van-Diemen. Johnson, London.
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]
Forster, J.R.; Forster, G. 1776: Characteres Generum Plantarum quas in Itinere ad Insulas Maris Australis Collegerunt, Descripserunt, Delinearunt, Annis. Edition 2. White, Cadell & Elmsley, London.