mats the alpine scree like green moss

Size
Height: 1-3 cm, Diameter: up to 15 cm
Lifespan
Perennial
Diet
Photosynthetic cushion plant. Obtains nutrients from thin, rocky soils. Not applicable as autotroph.
Habitat
Alpine and subalpine areas. Grows on rocky slopes, scree, and damp soil. Forms dense, moss-like mats in sheltered sites.
Range
Endemic to New Zealand. Found in alpine areas of South Island, Stewart Island, and subantarctic islands.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Climate change is long-term threat. Alpine habitats are warming.
Population
Found in alpine areas of South Island and Stewart Island. Also on subantarctic islands. Not threatened.
Conservation Status
data_deficient
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native ground cover, safe to handle
Conservation Note
Endemic alpine herb; data insufficient for full threat classification.
Assessment
NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
Te Ao Māori
Colobanthus muscoides has no recognised Māori name. Grows in alpine areas which were not heavily used by Māori. Moss-like appearance is distinctive. Plant of high mountains.
Cold bites at it constantly. Colobanthus muscoides is dense, green, low. Living carpet tile. Mossy pearlwort forms tight mats that look like moss from distance. Up close they are tiny cushions of bright green leaves. Plant spreads slowly. Covering rock and soil. Leaves are small, narrow, crowded together. Bright green. Soft to touch. Flowers are tiny, white, star-shaped. Fruit is small capsule. Colobanthus muscoides grows on rocky slopes. In scree. On damp soil. Likes sheltered sites. Tolerates cold. Does not like drying out. Name muscoides means moss-like. It looks like moss. It is not moss. It is flowering plant. Species is endemic to New Zealand. Found only here. In alpine zone, mossy pearlwort forms part of cushionfield community. Grows alongside other small plants. Creating patchwork of colour and texture. Colobanthus muscoides is not threatened. It is common in suitable habitat. It is not well known. Mossy pearlwort is reminder. Alpine zone has its own plants. Small. Dense. Green. Living carpets. It carries on regardless.