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This possibly new species of plant was discovered in the Livingstone Mountains of Southland by Department of Conservation Ecologist Brian Rance. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A possibly new plant species has been discovered high in the Livingstone Mountains of Southland.

Department of Conservation ecologist Brian Rance discovered the plant during an expedition in January,while assisting Te Papa scientist Heidi Meudt in surveying for forget-me-not species.

He was thrilled by the implications of the rare find.

Mr Rance first came across the unusual plant in 1995, suspecting then it might be unique.

Returning to the Livingstone Mountains nearly three decades later, he was pleased to see it was still there and had a chance to study and photograph it.

The plant is a small rosette-forming herbaceous plant 5cm–8cm in diameter with a strong taproot. It has been given a temporary tag name of Chaerophyllum sp. ‘‘Livingstone’’.

Mr Rance said it was distinctive from other Chaerophyllum species because it was growing in a very exposed, alpine gravel habitat on ultramafic or serpentine geology, which was unusual for that group of plants.

It has relatively robust leaves, a stout tap root and large seeds.

Its flower and fruit characteristics confirm that is a chaerophyllum species, which is a member of the carrot family, though this plant may not be edible.

The newly discovered plant will need additional research to compare it to its close relatives before being formally considered a new species. This research could take some time, but if it turns out the population is a new species, then its threat status would need to be determined.

It is likely to have a threat status because of its small population size and very limited geographical extent.

"Who knows what special chemicals or properties it may have? For all we know a new plant could hold the cure to a disease," Mr Rance said.

"Any new discovery is a taonga of New Zealand. Our flora is part of what makes New Zealand such a distinctive and special place and is part of our national identity. It is exciting to think that there are still plants out there that have not previously been seen or recognised as distinctive.

"The world would be a sadder and less interesting place if species went extinct before they were even recognised or named.

The total New Zealand flora includes 2502 formally recognised taxa and a further 283 unnamed or taxonomically indeterminate taxam meaning almost 9% of our flora is currently unnamed.

Of the threatened species, 202 are in the highest threat category — national critical, the same as kakapo, black robin and tara iti/fairy tern.

The number of nationally critical plants is greater than the total number of native lizards and freshwater fish in New Zealand.

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