Biosystematics of higher plants in New Zealand 1965–1984

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Abstract
During 1965–1984 progress in the study of biosystematics of the New Zealand Hora has advanced an understanding of the monocoty-ledonous element more than the dicotyledonous. In Luzula, Elymus, and Cortaderia experimentally produced hybrids between New Zealand species and overseas taxa have measured gene-exchange, allowed generic realignment or confirmed taxonomic judgements. Chionochloa, Gramineae, lies to the forefront in experimental work at specific and infraspecific levels, ecologically, physiologically, biochemically and morphologically, and will continue to yield information needed to comprehend its evolution in New Zealand. Among dicotyledons Epilobium, Onagraceae, is the best documented genus because of the extent of the study of experimental hybrids, natural hybridism, gene-exchange, and cytology. Experimental studies on economically important plants with a long lifespan e.g., Nothofagus are few, and even in the study of hybrid asteliads, at the end of 12–13 years there had been no flowering to allow a first assessment of pollen or seed fertility. Experimental studies needed for the recognition of ecotypes are also few but data and responses to ultramafic soils and geothermally determined soils are available. Wild hybrids, their frequency, their fertility or sterility, have been studied in a sporadic way, Epilobium excepted, and have not yielded the data needed for writing the flora of New Zealand. The Cockayne-Allan pedestal of 50 years ago awaits its column and capital.

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