Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Ericales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Gaultheria Kalm ex L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Gaultheria parvula D.J.Middleton in Middleton & Wilcock, Edinburgh J. Bot. 47 (1990)
Synonymy:
  • = Pernettya nana Colenso, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 23: 389 (1890 [1891])
 Description

Small, matted shrublet; main stems slender, prostrate and rooting, with ascending tips c. 2–(5) cm long. Branchlets glabrous or with short, dense hairs. Lvs rather distant, alternate, 2–4 × 0.5–1.5 mm, elliptic or narrow-elliptic, usually rather thick, glabrous or densely hairy on upper surface; margins with up to 3 microscopic dentations on either side; veins prominent. Fls solitary in upper lf axils, axillary and terminal. Pedicels to 3 mm long, glabrous or nearly so, usually with 2 small basal bracts and 2 larger upper bracts. Bracts ovate; margins ciliate. Calyx lobes ciliate. Corolla glabrous inside. Stamens = style and nearly exserted; filaments ribbon-like, gradually widening at base, not papillose. Anthers 0.4–0.6 mm long, with distinct blunt awns about 0.1 mm long. Fr. a pink globose berry, 4–5 mm diam.

[From: Webb et al. (1985) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4 as Pernettya nana Colenso]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
Colenso, W. 1891: A Description of some newly discovered indigenous plants, being a further contribution towards making known the botany of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 23: 381–391.
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]
Franklin, D.A. 1962: The Ericaceae in New Zealand (Gaultheria and Pernettya). Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Botany 1: 155–173. [as Pernettya nana Colenso]
Middleton, D.J.; Wilcock, C.C. 1990: A critical examination of the status of Pernettya as a genus distinct from Gaultheria. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 47(3): 291–301.