About Leptinella nana (D.G.Lloyd) D.G.Lloyd & C.J.Webb
Leptinella nana is a small, low-growing herb that grows in small patches, often connected by rhizomes visible at the ground surface. Its leaves are small and green, and are either hairless or covered in fine, sparse hairs. The species produces minute tubular flowers, 1.5 to 2 mm wide, that are yellow-green in color. This species can still be found at its type location of Mount Pleasant in the Port Hills, Christchurch, New Zealand. Additional populations are located at Rai Valley in Marlborough, and at Tītahi Bay on the Wellington coast. L. nana needs small sites that experience constant disturbance, to allow it to colonize bare soil. It is often outcompeted by other plants in damp environments, and cannot persist in dry environments. All three of its known locations have similar well-draining soils, which can be made up of sand, loess, or clay.
