Pimelea aff. villosa

Key Features

  • A much-branched sprawling shrub with hairy branches.
  • Pairs of pointed leaves (5-15 mm long by 3-7 mm wide), upper surface sparsely hairy (especially when young), lower surface with long hairs.
  • Hairy white flowers and black, red, pink or white fruit.
  • Pimelea aff. villosa differs from Pimelea villosa in having a lower, more spreading shrub habit and more widely spaced, longer and narrower spreading leaves.

Distribution and Habitat

  • North Island south of Kawhia and Hawkes Bay, and South Island.
  • Confined to sand dunes and associated swales and flats, usually in free-draining sites, but sometimes bordering streams in places that are prone to sudden flooding.

Threats

  • Competition from marram grass.
  • Trampling by cattle, sheep and horses.
  • Browsing of seedlings by possums.
  • Seed destruction by rodents.
  • Vehicle damage.
  • Fire.
  • Lack of fruiting plants over large parts of its range despite apparently good sex ratios within populations, possibly due to loss of pollinators.

Management Opportunities

  • Survey for new locations.
  • Mark known sites.
  • Protection of habitat from stock and vehicles.
  • Possum control by poisoning or trapping.
  • Control weeds.
  • Collect seed, propagate, and reintroduce to appropriate sites.
  • Ensure that forest owners are aware of potential habitats and can recognise the species.

Monitoring Options

  • Check existing populations annually.
  • Report new locations to DOC.

Further Information and Support

  • Weed and pest animal control - Department of Conservation, Regional Councils.

References