Non-vascular plants of Otago
Did you know that bryophytes and algae (non-vascular plants) have existed for millions of years. They play key roles shaping ecosystems.
Otago has a large proportion of Aotearoa New Zealand’s non-vascular plants.
Non-vascular plants are those without a vascular system (that is, they lack xylem and phloem) and grow from spores. Although they do not have roots, stems, or leaves, the lobes of some liverworts can look like leaves. Some non-vascular plants, however, do possess specialized tissues for internal transport of water.
Non-vascular plants include two groups: the bryophytes and algae. Sometimes lichens are included as they are a symbiosis between one or more algae and a fungus.
Vascular plants are what you probably think of when someone says "plant". They have a system of tubes which connect all parts of the plant (roots, shoots, and leaves) to transport water and nutrients from one part of the plant to another, much like the circulatory system in humans. The main groups of vascular plants are flowering plants, conifers, ferns, and club mosses.
Non-vascular plants are plants that grow from spores rather than seed, and do not have roots or leaves. They are non-vascular because they don't have the system of tubes to transport water and nutrients. Plants that are bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts) algae are non-vascular. Lichens are sometimes included as they are a symbiosis between one or more algae and a fungus.
Bryophytes are land plants and have tissues and enclosed reproductive systems, but lack vascular tissue for circulating liquid. They do not have flowers and reproduce via spores rather than producing seed. Bryophytes are mosses, liverworts and hornworts.
Bryophytes can flourish in harsh environments where even the hardiest vascular plants cannot survive. They can thrive on mountaintops, in the polar tundra, cool shrublands, and under dark forest canopies. Bryophytes can have key roles in nitrogen cycling, regulating microclimates, storing carbon, pioneering new ecosystems, and serving as bio-indicators of pollution.
Mosses, like the other bryophytes (liverworts and hornworts), are an ancient group of simple plants dating back some 360 million years. They represent an evolutionary step up from algae, the simplest plants in the Plant Kingdom. After vascular plants, mosses are the most diverse group of plants, consisting of over 10,000 species in about 850 genera.
Over 500 species in 200 genera are found in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Otago over 350 moss species have been identified.
The estimated number of liverwort species range from 6000 to 8000 and are remarkably diverse considering their relatively small size. Of worldwide significance is the fact that Aotearoa New Zealand is home to an estimated 5-10% of the world’s liverwort species and with over 200 of the species endemic. Moreover, over 50% of the liverwort families (48 of 74) and a high proportion of genera are also represented in the Aotearoa New Zealand botanical region.
Regional threat assessments
We have published threat assessments on various species' groups in our region, including indigenous vascular plants.
Reports and publications - biodiversity
We have developed a range of resources on indigenous biodiversity in Otago, including regional threat assessment reports, educational factsheets and posters about species, and an online native planting guide to inform ecological restoration efforts.
