blooms small in the damp open areas

Size
Height: 10–20 cm
Lifespan
2–3 years
Diet
Photosynthetic. Draws energy from sunlight. Obtains nutrients from moist, fertile soils.
Habitat
Damp grassland, forest margins, stream banks and open areas. Prefers moist, fertile soils with partial shade. Often forms small colonies in open, damp sites.
Range
Throughout New Zealand from Northland to Stewart Island. Most common in damp, open areas and forest margins. Also found in Australia.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Habitat loss from land clearance is primary threat. Competition from introduced weeds. Climate change affecting wetland habitats.
Population
Populations considered stable and widespread. Species common in damp areas throughout New Zealand. Threatened by competition from introduced weeds.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native herb, safe to handle
Conservation Note
Endemic herb; widespread in damp forests and shaded habitats throughout New Zealand.
Assessment
NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
Te Ao Māori
In Māori tradition native isotome used as green vegetable. Leaves eaten fresh. Plant also used medicinally. Blue flowers admired. Known as sign of healthy, damp soils. Plant of forest margins. Gathered by those who knew damp places.
It does not inhabit the dry exclusively. Isotoma hypocrateriformis has damp places own small beauties. This is one of them. Small, erect herb. Narrow, divided leaves. Edible and have mild flavour. Can be eaten raw in salads. Small, blue or white flowers appear in summer. Grows in damp, open areas throughout New Zealand. Native relative of introduced isotome species. Modest plant. Easy to overlook. Leaves are narrow and deeply divided. Giving them feathery appearance. Bright green and arranged alternately along stem. Stems erect and branching. Forming small, bushy clumps. Flowers small and blue or white. Five petals fused at base. Appear in summer. Followed by small, capsule-like fruits containing seeds. Flowers pollinated by insects. Small splash of colour in green. Native isotome is plant of damp, open areas. Grows in damp grassland. At forest margins. Along stream banks. Prefers sites with good light and consistent moisture. Plant that likes feet wet. To find native isotome is to walk damp forest margins and stream banks. Look for small, blue or white flowers. Feathery leaves. Plant of damp places. Splash of colour in green. Few leaves can add mild flavour to salad. Small harvest from small plant. Most people walk past it. See green. Miss blue. Isotome does not mind. Was not trying to be noticed. Just growing where ground stays damp. And that seems to be enough.