Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Potential plant genetic resources of the New Zealand flora

Potentielle pflanzengenetische Ressourcen der Flora Neuseelands

  • Published:
Economic Botany Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

New Zealand harbours a highly endemic flora of some 2000 species of vascular plants, but except for numerous ornamentals, only four indigenous plants are cultivated for the production of fibre (Phormium tenax, pharmaceutical properties (Solanum laciniatum andS. aviculare), and as a vegetable (Tetragonia tetragonioides). Another 15 native species are relatives of common commercial plants and are considered potential genetic resources. Of the six early Polynesian plant introductions to New Zealand, only the kumara (sweet potato) is still of some economic importance today.

Résumé

Neuseeland besitzt eine hochendemische Flora mit über 2000 Gefässpflanzenarten, aber abgesehen von zahlreichen Zierpflanzen, werden nur vier einheimische Pflanzenarten für Faserproduktion (Phormium tenax), pharmazeutische Eigenschaften (Solanum laciniatum undS. aviculare) und als Gemüsepflanze (Tetragonia tetragonioides) kultiviert. Weitere 15 einheimische Arten sind mit gewöhnlichen Nutzpflanzen verwandt und werden als potentielle genetische Ressourcen angesehen. Von den sechs in Früh- polynesischer Zeit nach Neuseeland eingeführten Pflanzen ist heute nur noch die Kumara (Süsskartoffel) von einiger wirtschaftlicher Bedeutung.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Allan, H. H. 1961. Flora of New Zealand. Vol. I. Government Printer, Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooker, S. G., R. C. Cambie, and M. A. James. 1963. A New Zealand phytochemical register. Trans. Roy. Soc. New Zealand, General 1:205–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, R. C. Cambie, and R. C. Cooper. 1981. New Zealand medicinal plants. Heineman, Auckland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, G. 1988. The kumara come back. New Zealand Listener, 26 Nov.: 36–37.

  • Cassels, R. 1972. Human ecology in the prehistoric Waikato. J. Polynesian Soc. 81:196–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheeseman, T. F. 1925. Manual of the New Zealand flora. 2nd ed. Government Printer, Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colenso, W. 1880. On the vegetable food of the ancient New Zealander’s before Cook’s visit. Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 13:3–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connor, H. E., and E. Edgar. 1987. Name changes in the indigenous New Zealand flora, 1960–1986 and Nomina Nova IV, 1983–1986. New Zealand J. Bot. 25:115–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coulter, J. D. 1975. The climate. Pages 87–138in G. Kuschel, ed., Biogeography and ecology in New Zealand. Junk Publishers, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, C. A. 1975. The geological history of New Zealand and its biota. Pages 1–86in G. Kuschel, ed., Biogeography and ecology in New Zealand. Junk Publishers, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Given, D. R. 1981. Rare and endangered plants of New Zealand. Wellington, Reed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Godley, E. J. 1975. Flora and vegetation. Pages 177–229in G. Kuschel, ed., Biogeography and ecology in New Zealand. Junk Publishers, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, R. C. 1975. Adaptation and change in Maori culture. Pages 591–641in G. Kuschel, ed., Biogeography and ecology in New Zealand. Junk Publishers, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, B. J., and G. B. Sweet. 1989. Evolutionary interpretation of a high temperature growth response in five New Zealand forest tree species. New Zealand J. Bot. 27:101–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Healy, A. J., and E. Edgar. 1980. Flora of New Zealand. Vol. III. Government Printer, Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mark, A. F. 1985. The botanical component of conservation in New Zealand. New Zealand J. Bot. 23:789–810.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metcalf, L. J. 1987. The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs. Reed Methuen, Auckland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, R. B. 1910. The vegetation of the Kermadec Islands. Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 42: 118–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poole, A. L. 1963. Ecology and the administrator. Proc. New Zealand Ecol. Soc. 10:73–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sykes, W. R. 1977. Kermadec Islands flora. Dept. Sci. and Industr. Res. Bull. 219. Government Printer, Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and E. J. Godley. 1968. Transoceanic dispersal ofSophora and other genera. Nature 218: 495–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wardle, J. 1984. The New Zealand beeches: ecology, utilisation and management. New Zealand Forest Service, Christchurch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wardle, P. 1973. Native vegetation. Pages 115–169in G. R. Williams, ed., The natural history of New Zealand. An ecological survey. Reed, Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 1985. Environmental influences on the vegetation of New Zealand. New Zealand J. Bot. 23: 773–788.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, H. D. 1982. Stewart Island plants. Field Guide Publications, Christchurch.

    Google Scholar 

  • —. 1987. The fascination of Banks Peninsula botany—are there any limits? New Zealand Bot. Soc. Newsletter 8:6–8.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dyckerhoffstrasse 3, 4540, Lengerich, Federal Republic of Germany

    P. Haase

Authors
  1. P. Haase
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Haase, P. Potential plant genetic resources of the New Zealand flora. Econ Bot 44, 503–515 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02859787

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02859787

Keywords

Search

Navigation