The reinstatement of Utricularia protrusa for New Zealand and an assessment of the status of the other New Zealand bladderworts based on seed characters

Abstract

Taxonomic views of the genus Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) as it occurs in New Zealand have changed considerably since the publication of Volume 1 of the Flora of New Zealand in 1961. Examination of the seeds of the New Zealand bladderworts has assisted in further clarifying the status of some species but provides no assistance with others. We now accept three indigenous species for New Zealand: U. protrusa (the name reinstated for plants recently erroneously referred to as U. australis), U. delicatula (a New Zealand endemic distinct from the Australian U. lateriflora), and U. novae-zelandiae (including U. monanthos). The name U. gibba (instead of U. biflora) is accepted for the single naturalised species.