In the one fruiting stem I have examined most carefully (in petri dish), I am convinced the female branches arise by lateral branching. I have been unable to make a longitudinal section of a branch base, however.
Other identifications
Identification
Determined name:
Pleurophascum ovalifolium Fife
Determiner:
Fife AJ
Identification date:
1997-07 (Verbatim: JUL-1997)
Preferred name:
Pleurophascum ovalifolium Fife & P.J.Dalton
Active:
no
Identification type:
Determination
Collection events
Primary collection event
Collection event type:
Field
Standard locality
Location:
Denniston Plateau
Georeferences:
Latitude and Longitude (WGS84):
-41.747161 171.783035
Verbatim locality:
Denniston Plateau
Verbatim collector:
Simpson MJA 8561
Standardised collector:
Margaret J. A. Simpson
Verbatim date:
5-JAN-1985
Start date:
1985-01-05
Land District:
Nelson Land District
Country:
New Zealand
Native lands:
Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō
Ngāti Rārua
Ngāti Toa Rangatira
Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui
Georeferences:
New Zealand Map Series 1:
S24 273 738 (WGS84 -41.744253 171.800247)
New Zealand Map Series 260:
L29 102 396 (WGS84 -41.744168 171.800293)
Latitude and Longitude (WGS84):
41°44´ S 171°48´ E (WGS84 -41.733333 171.8)
Habitat:
Raised ridges in sandstone pavement with Empodisma minus, Euphrasia dispersa & Utricularia monanthos nearby; elev. c. 2000 ft.
Notes:
C. fr.; capsules 6-7 mm diam., discoid at maturity; a few (seemingly less mature) more or less globose, c. 5 mm diam.; rostrum 0.65 mm.