Mazus is shown to consist of three species in the Australia-New Zealand region. Mazus pumilio R. Br. of past concepts is shown to consist of two species, M. pumilio S.str. being confined to southeastern Australia and a new species, M. novaezeelandiae, to lowland New Zealand; morphological floral differences may reflect different breeding systems, with the former thought to be self-incompatible and the latter self-compatible. Mazus radicans (Hook. f.) Cheeseman is confined to New Zealand and extends to higher altitudes than M. novaezeelandiae. Its flowers may be small and cleistogamous or "bud-autogamous" as well as large and chasmogamous. Distinctions from M. pumilus (Burm. f.) Steenis, a weedy southeast Asian annual extending to a few locations in New Guinea, are given in the key to species.
History
Publication title
Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Volume
124
Pagination
85-94
ISSN
0080-4703
Rights statement
This Symposium is a tribute to the botanical work of Dr. Winifred M. Curtis AM, work largely concerned with Tasmanian plants. Scientific and public knowledge of the Tasmania flora has been greatly enhanced by her contributions.
Edited by M.R. Banks, S.J. Smith, A.E. Orchard and G. Kantvilas. – Copyright Royal Society of Tasmania.