This database began life as a repository of information for projects on New
Zealand weeds, and wetland plants. It holds a list of all native and all
naturalised higher plant species. Most effort to date has been on
entering data on the naturalised flora and this information is updated from
time to time.
The ecological trait data covers world and local distributional data,
morphological, reproduction, and other attributes that influence species'
environmental responses, and interactions with other plants and animals.
Attributes relevant to weed management such as response to damage, reproduction
capacity, seed longevity, and weed status elsewhere are included. The
database does not capture information on weed control methods. Data are
derived from publications and databases on the the New Zealand Floras and many
other publications.
Ecological traits for individual species are organised into six groups of
attributes: Status in New Zealand, Distribution, Morphology, Reproduction,
Flower and Fruit, Wetland and miscellaneous. Please see below for a brief
explanation of each group. A description of each trait recorded within these groups can be
found in the Glossary.
Trait categories covered by this database:
Status in NZ
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Whether the species is native etc. to New Zealand, its history of
introduction where applicable in New Zealand and overseas. Whether
the species or its relatives are weeds. Also whether the climate in its
home range and New Zealand are similar. |
Distribution |
Its distribution within New Zealand, the communities it grows in,
and its global distribution. |
Morphology |
The species' life form, height, longevity, morphological features,
presence of vegetative reproduction, and leaf parameters. |
Reproduction |
The species reproductive system, time until reproduction,
resprouting ability, seed output, seed size, seed dispersal method(s). |
Flower and Fruit |
Time of flowering and fruiting and size and properties of flowers
and fruit. |
Other/Wetland |
Others: whether poisonous, palatable, or nitrogen fixing
etc. Wetland: descriptors specific to wetland species covering morphology
and habitat preferences. |
Publication List
The name and trait data are primarily derived from the sources below.
The scientific names may not necessarily now be the current names.
Allan HH 1961. Flora of New Zealand; Vol. I. Wellington, Government Printer.
1085 p.
Atkinson IAE 1985. Derivation of vegetation mapping units for an ecological
survey of Tongariro National Park, North Island, New Zealand. New Zealand
Journal of Botany 23: 361�378.
Boutin C, Keddy PA 1994. A functional classification of wetland plants. Journal
of Vegetation Science 4: 591-600.
Connor HE 1977. The poisonous plants in New Zealand. Wellington, Government
Printer.
Edgar E, Connor HE 2000. Flora of New Zealand; Vol. V. Lincoln, New Zealand,
Manaaki Whenua Press. 650 p.
Esler AE 1988. Naturalization of plants in urban Auckland: a series of articles
from the New Zealand Journal of Botany. Wellington, Department of Scientific
and Industrial Research.
Johnson P, Brooke P 1989. Wetland plants of New Zealand. Wellington, DSIR
Publishing. 319 p.
Healey AJ, Edgar E 1980. Flora of New Zealand; Vol III. Wellington, Government
Printer. 220 p.
Moore LB, Edgar E 1970. Flora of New Zealand; Vol. II. Wellington, Government
Printer. 354 p.
Raunkiaer C 1934. The life forms of plants and statistical plant geography.
Oxford, Oxford Press.
Webb CJ, Sykes WR, Garnock-Jones PJ 1988. Flora of New Zealand; Vol. IV.
Christchurch, Scientific and Industrial Research. 1365 p.
Webb CJ, Simpson MJ 2001. Seeds of New Zealand gymnosperms and dicotyledons.
Christchurch, Manuka Press. 428 p.
Wardle P 1991. Vegetation of New Zealand. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
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