Abrotanella | |
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Abrotanella forsteroides | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Subfamily: | Asteroideae |
Tribe: | Senecioneae |
Genus: | Abrotanella Cass. [1] |
Synonyms | |
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Abrotanella is a genus in the family Asteraceae, of 23 species, [3] native to Australia, New Zealand and southern South America.
They are usually small plants, sometimes not reaching more than a few millimetres above the ground, although some form cushions in bolster heaths reaching up to a metre in diameter.
Genus Abrotanella is placed in the tribe Senecioneae and is the sole genus in the subtribe Abrotanellinae. The genus was formerly placed in the subtribe Blennospermatinae, but molecular and morphological studies have shown it to be distinct from other genera in that group. [4]
Phylogenetic studies have shown that Abrotanella forms a well-supported monophyletic group. It is sister to a clade formed by three other genera: Crocidium , Blennosperma , and Ischnea . Within Abrotanella, A. forsteroides from Tasmania is sister to all other species in the genus. [4]
The evolutionary history of Abrotanella has been investigated using molecular dating techniques, providing insights into the timing of its diversification. According to these studies, the stem age of Abrotanella is estimated to be approximately 19.4 million years ago, placing its origin in the early Miocene. However, the radiation of extant species began much later, around 4.2 million years ago during the Pliocene. This was followed by a significant divergence event about 3.1 million years ago, which led to the formation of the two main lineages observed within the genus. [4]
Biogeographic analyses suggest that South America was likely part of the ancestral area for Abrotanella. The genus is thought to have reached New Zealand and other Pacific areas through long-distance dispersal, as the timing of its evolution postdates the separation of these landmasses. This finding challenges earlier hypotheses that might have attributed the distribution of Abrotanella to ancient vicariance events related to the break-up of Gondwana. [4]
The distribution of Abrotanella species reflects a complex history involving both vicariance and dispersal events. Researchers have proposed that this distribution pattern may have resulted from a combination of factors, including potential migration via land bridges or stepping stones along the Antarctic coast, as well as long-distance dispersal across ocean barriers. [4]
Abrotanella comprises small alpine or subalpine plants, often forming cushions. They are typically found growing in moist habitats, herbfields, among rocks, or on bare soils. [4]
Most species of Abrotanella lack obvious adaptations for long-distance dispersal. However, some species, such as A. submarginata and A. muscosa, have fruits with twin hairs and an apical crown, which could potentially aid in dispersal. [4]
Scaevola is a genus of flowering plants in the Goodenia family, Goodeniaceae. It consists of more than 130 species, with the center of diversity being Australia and Polynesia. There are around 80 species in Australia, occurring throughout the continent, in a variety of habitats. Diversity is highest in the South West, where around 40 species are endemic.
Myrtaceae, the myrtle family, is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pōhutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All species are woody, contain essential oils, and have flower parts in multiples of four or five. The leaves are evergreen, alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually entire. The flowers have a base number of five petals, though in several genera, the petals are minute or absent. The stamens are usually very conspicuous, brightly coloured, and numerous.
Nothofagus, also known as the southern beeches, is a genus of 43 species of trees and shrubs native to the Southern Hemisphere in southern South America and east and southeast Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and New Caledonia. The species are ecological dominants in many temperate forests in these regions. Some species are reportedly naturalised in Germany and Great Britain. The genus has a rich fossil record of leaves, cupules, and pollen, with fossils extending into the late Cretaceous period and occurring in Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and South America.
The Gnaphalieae are a tribe of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is most closely related to the tribes Anthemideae, Astereae, and Calenduleae.
Muehlenbeckia or maidenhair is a genus of flowering plants in the family Polygonaceae. It is native to the borders of the Pacific, including South and North America, Papua New Guinea and Australasia. It has been introduced elsewhere, including Europe. Species vary in their growth habits, many being vines or shrubs. In some environments, rampant species can become weedy and difficult to eradicate.
Olearia, most commonly known as daisy-bush, is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Asteraceae, the largest of the flowering plant families in the world. Olearia are found in Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand. The genus includes herbaceous plants, shrubs and small trees. The latter are unusual among the Asteraceae and are called tree daisies in New Zealand. All bear the familiar daisy-like composite flowerheads in white, pink, mauve or purple.
Centrolepis is a genus of small herbaceous plants in the family Restionaceae known as thorn grass scales, with about 25 species native to Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and south-east Asia as far north as Hainan Dao. APG III system classifies this genus in the Centrolepidaceae family.
Celmisia is a genus of perennial herbs or subshrubs, in the family Asteraceae. Most of the species are endemic to New Zealand; several others are endemic to Australia.
Brachyglottis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. The genus was erected on November 29, 1775, by Johann Reinhold Forster and Georg Forster. The name was derived from the Greek brachus ("short") and glottis a reference to the size of the ray florets.
Cotula is a genus of flowering plant in the sunflower family. It includes plants known generally as water buttons or buttonweeds.
Pluchea is a genus of flowering plants in the tribe Inuleae within the family Asteraceae. Members of this genus might be known as camphorweeds, plucheas, or less uniquely fleabanes. Some, such as P. carolinensis and P. odorata, are called sourbushes. There are plants of many forms, from annual and perennial herbs to shrubs and trees, and there is variation in the morphology of leaves, flowers, and fruits.
Erechtites is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family known commonly as fireweeds or burnweeds. They are native to the Americas and Australia, but some species are widely distributed weeds.
Helicteres is a genus of flowering plants in the family Malvaceae. Its range is from tropical and sub-tropical Asia through to northern Australia, and also Mexico through to the northern half of South America.
Trichocline is a genus of Australian and South American plants in the tribe Mutisieae within the family Asteraceae. It consists of one species from Australia (T. spathulata) and twenty-three from South America.
Jaumea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. The plants are sprawling perennial herbs branching mostly from the base. Flower heads are yellow, with disc flowers and also usually with ray flowers.
Scapisenecio pectinatus, synonym Senecio pectinatus, commonly known as alpine groundsel, is a species of flowering plant in the aster family. The species occurs in alpine areas of south-eastern Australia in peat-based soils. It has divided leaves forming a basal rosette and produces a single yellow flower head on a stalk up to 20 cm high.
Abrotanella forsteroides, commonly known as the Tasmanian cushion plant, is an angiosperm endemic to Tasmania, Australia. The plant is a dicot species in the daisy family Asteraceae and can be identified by its bright green and compact cushion like appearance.
Abrotanella nivigena is a member of the daisy family and ranges from southeast New South Wales to eastern Victoria, Australia, growing in the Kosciuszko region. It is a cushion plant growing from 3 to 5 cm tall.
Abrotanella scapigera is an endemic angiosperm of Tasmania, Australia. It is a member of the family Asteraceae, commonly found in alpine regions of northwest and south-central Tasmania. This species is named after its characteristic sparsely leaved flowering stem that distinguishes it from the other 18 species of the Genus.
Scapisenecio is a genus of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to south-eastern Australia, particularly Tasmania. The genus was established in 2020.
Data related to Abrotanella at Wikispecies