Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asterales Link
Family
Compositae Giseke
Genus
Euchiton Cass.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Euchiton ensifer (D.G.Drury) Holub, Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 9: 271 (1974)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Gnaphalium ensifer D.G.Drury, New Zealand J. Bot. 10: 150 (1972)
  • ≡ Euchiton ensifer (D.G.Drury) Anderb., Opera Bot. 104: 167 (1991) nom. illeg., non Euchiton ensifer (D.G.Drury) Holub 1974, nom. superfl.
  • = Gnaphalium collinum var. obscurum Kirk, Stud. Fl. New Zealand 300 (1899)
Vernacular Name(s):
Creeping cudweed
 Description

Stoloniferous perennial; stems 1–2–(4), decumbent or ascending, simple, 2–10 cm tall. Lvs mostly basal; basal lvs short-petiolate, densely white-tomentose on lower surface except mid-vein, almost glabrous to sparsely tomentose on upper, plane, narrow-elliptic to ± linear, cuneate, acute, mucronate, 13–50 × 1–3–(5) mm; cauline lvs not or slightly reduced upwards, ± linear, apetiolate. Capitula 1–2 mm diam., (1)–2–9 in somewhat loose terminal clusters; longest subtending lvs < to slightly > diam. of cluster. Involucral bracts elliptic-oblong, obtuse to subacute, 4.2–5 mm long; stereome green; lamina pale brown, with darker markings toward base; gap and margins tinged pale to bright rose or reddish purple. Achenes with short antrorse hairs, 0.8–1 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1985) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4 as Gnaphalium ensifer D.G.Drury]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
Anderberg, A. A. 1991: Taxonomy and phylogeny of the tribe Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae). Opera Botanica 104: 1–195.
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. [as Gnaphalium ensifer D.G.Drury]
de Lange, P.J.; Gosden, J.; Courtney, S.P.; Fergus, A.J.; Barkla, J.W.; Beadel, S.M.; Champion, P.D., Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Makan, T.; Michel, P. 2024: Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 43. [Declining]
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. [Data deficient]
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. [Nationally Endangered]
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. [Nationally Endangered]
Drury, D. G. 1972: The Cluster and Solitary-headed Cudweeds Native to New Zealand: (Gnaphalium Section Euchiton-Compositae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 10: 112–179.
Drury, D.G. 1970: A Fresh Approach to the Classification of the Genus Gnaphalium with Particular Reference to the Species Present in New Zealand (Inuleae-Compositae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 8: 222–248. [as Gnaphalium ensifer D.G.Drury]
Holub, J. 1974: New Names in Phanerogamae 3. Folia Geobotanica et Phytotaxonomica 9(3): 261–275.
Kirk,T. 1899: The Students' Flora of New Zealand and the Outlying Islands. Government Printer, Wellington, N.Z.
Ward, J.M.; Breitwieser, I. 1998: New combinations in Euchiton (Compositae - Gnaphalieae) from New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 36(2): 303–304.