Dracophyllum recurvum

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Dracophyllum recurvum
Dracophyllum recurvum in Tongariro National Park 03.jpg
Dracophyllum recurvum on Mt Tongariro
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Dracophyllum
Species:
D. recurvum
Binomial name
Dracophyllum recurvum

Dracophyllum recurvum, known commonly as curved leaf grass tree [1] or neinei [2] is a prostrate to semi-erect shrub belonging to the genus Dracophyllum . [3]

Contents

Description

Dracophyllum recurvum grows up to one metre high at lower altitudes, or down to less than five centimetres at higher altitudes. The plant's branches are covered in a greyish bark, and its leaves vary from dark green at lower altitudes to reds and greys at higher altitudes. Leaves are 10–40 millimetres (0.39–1.57 in) in length and usually approximately 2 millimetres (0.079 in) wide. The physical characteristics of D. recurvum vary greatly with changes in altitude.

It is distinguishable from other species in the genus by its thin, recurved leaves.

Distribution

Dracophyllum recurvum grows in subalpine and alpine environments in the volcanic Central Plateau of the North Island of New Zealand. [4] It is especially plentiful on Mount Ruapehu and the other mountains of Tongariro National Park. D. recurvum is one of the few plant species that can survive the extreme conditions on Ruapehu, due to its wide-spreading root system, which firmly anchors the plant to the thin soil, as well as helping halt erosion on the mountain.

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<i>Myoporum montanum</i> Species of plant

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<i>Dracophyllum elegantissimum</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Dracophyllum ophioliticum</i> Species of shrub

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<i>Dracophyllum muscoides</i> Species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae

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<i>Dracophyllum menziesii</i> Species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae

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<i>Dracophyllum fiordense</i> Species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae

Dracophyllum fiordense, commonly known as the Fiordland grass tree, is a species of tree or shrub in the heath family, Ericaceae. It is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It reaches a height of 1.5–5.0 metres and has tufts of long green leaves at the ends of its branches. Each leaf has a distinctive curled spiral tip. D. fiordense has a pyramid-shaped inflorescence hidden under each clump of leaves, with between 113 and 120 pink flowers on each spike, and later reddish-brown dry fruit; both are around just 2 by 2 mm. It inhabits shrubland, lowland and subalpine forests, and tussock grassland of mountain slopes, gullies, and ridges. Its range covers two main areas: one in Fiordland National Park, and one in the Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.

<i>Dracophyllum densum</i> Species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae

Dracophyllum densum is a species of shrub endemic to north-west Nelson in New Zealand's South Island. It was first described by Walter Oliver in 1952 and gets the specific epithet densum for its leaves growing densely. In the heath family Ericaceae, it inhabits mountain summits, plateaux, and ridge lines and reaches a height of 0.3–0.5 m (1–2 ft). A 2017 assessment using the New Zealand Threat Classification System classified it as "Declining", giving it an estimated population of more than 100,000.

<i>Dracophyllum subulatum</i> Species of tree or shrub

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References

  1. "T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network - Dracophyllum recurvum (Curved Leaf Grass Tree)". www.terrain.net.nz. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  2. "Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Dracophyllum recurvum". www.nzflora.info. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  3. "Dracophyllum recurvum". www.hebesoc.org. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  4. Eagle, Audrey (2008). Eagle's complete trees and shrubs of New Zealand volume two. Wellington: Te Papa Press. p. 610. ISBN   9780909010089.