| Gaultheria crassa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Gaultheria |
| Species: | G. crassa |
| Binomial name | |
| Gaultheria crassa Allan | |
Gaultheria crassa, commonly known as the scarlet snowberry, [1] is a species of small shrub that belongs to the heath family Ericaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Gaultheria crassa is a small branched shrub which can grow up to 1–2 meters in height. The name crassa originates from the Latin term crassus, [2] meaning thick, fleshy, dense or fat which is related to the characteristics of its leaves. [3] These are thick with a narrow elliptical shape. Small in size, the leaves range from 10–15 mm long and 5–7 mm wide. [3] The leaf margins, or edge, are subtly toothed with a rounded base. The leaves are browny green and form from the branchlets in an alternate arrangement. Petioles are short and red. Branches are pale green with both branches and stems covered in small and sparse black hairs. These hairs can be used to distinguish the species from its closest relative Gaultheria rupestris , which has a denser covering of hairs. [4] Gualtheria crassa has pale white bell-shaped flowers [5] with both the corolla and calyx being white. [6] Individual flowers are around 3 mm in length and have tiny hairs covering the inside of the flower giving them a downy texture. [7] These form in clusters on racemes. The racemes on Gaultheria crassa are generally 8 cm long. The clusters of flowers are found in the terminal position. They have a non-fleshy calyx [8] with seeds forming from a dry capsule which are 2 mm in diameter and segmented into 5. [5]
Gaultheria crassa is endemic to New Zealand. [4] It is found in the southern areas of New Zealand, from the Ruahine Range in the North Island, reaching down the length of the South Island. It is abundant among subalpine and alpine scrub as well as among shrubland on the eastern side of the South Island mountain ranges. It is common in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park [9] and is most widespread in Canterbury alpine regions. [5] Populations in the Craigieburn Range, Lake Lyndon, Cass and Otira Valley in Arthurs Pass National Park have been subject to studies. [10]
This species has a preference for rocky places and open scrub among the mountains of the South Island of New Zealand. It is found at altitudes between 700 m and 1700 m, [11] suggesting a preference for a colder alpine environment. It is often an early coloniser of stable moraine sites where glacial debris has created an ideal habitat of loose rocks and low competition. [7] The species prefers drier terrain and is therefore more common on the drier eastern side of the Southern Alps. This differs from its close relative G. rupestris , which is more abundant on the wetter areas of the West Coast mountain ranges. [4]
In its southern locations, the soils of its habitats consist mostly of greywacke sandstone rocks, while in the North Island, it is found on the eastern side of Mount Ruapehu where the soil is mostly a mixture of volcanic sand and gravel. [12] In Cass, Gaultheria crassa grows among other shrub species. [13] Here, the soil type was recorded as being strongly leeched high-country yellow-brown earths. Temperatures in the area had a yearly average of 9 °C with 130 cm of rainfall. This, however, is variable as the area can experience dry and warm summers as well as wet and cold springs. [13] This shows that areas where the species is found can have extreme seasonal variability in both rainfall and temperature. [13] The variety of conditions in which the species is found suggests that Gaultheria crassa is a variable and persistent species.
Tiny clusters of Gaultheria crassa's creamy bell-shaped flowers appear from October to December. Flowering occurs in succession with other scrub plants in the community. [13] The flowering of one community was documented showing this succession. [13] Flowering occurred first with Corokia cotoneaster , initiating the flowering sequence, followed next by Gaultheria crassa and then by Discaria toumatou . [13] Frequented by many insects, flowers of the shrub species are a major source of pollen and nectar for insects in the alpine and subalpine communities. [13] Gaultheria crassa flowers turn to fruits from January to April [9] and unlike other species in the family, they do not form fleshy fruit. The calyx is dry in mature fruit where seeds form from the dry capsule and are produced in large quantities. [14] These small and numerous seeds are wind-dispersed, [3] a necessary requirement for plants in harsh moraine habitats where unstable rocks can often cause disturbances. [15]
Gaultheria crassa seeds are pointy in shape and range from 0.50–0.90 mm in length. The outside of the seed ranges from a pale yellow-orange to dark brown or henna shade. [14] The Gaultheria genus has long-lived seeds that create a persistent seed bank. [16] Studies show that germination of Gaultheria crassa seeds are often delayed by 2–3 weeks with germination occurring readily after this time frame. [16] Light is found to be a requirement for the germination and seeds have been reported to be viable for up to 12 months, with reduced germination after 16 months. [16]
This species is known to be included in the diet of Westland chamois [17] and is also likely to be included in the diet of feral goat with studies of Galutheria crassa showing the plant having more prominence in goat-free locations. [18] This suggests that feral goats may be a major predator of the species and the suggestion is supported by goats browsing on closely related Gaultheria antipoda . [18] Thar find Gaultheria crassa extremely palatable, and thus are another predator for the species. [18] There are no other reports of predators, and the abundance of G. crassa among alpine scrub and shrublands could suggest that predation of the species is low where thar, goats and chamois are absent.
Ten Gaultheria species (of over 200) are native to New Zealand. [10] The group is believed to have evolved less than 80 million years ago, meaning they arrived after the landmass split from the continent of Gondwana. There is strong phylogenetic data suggesting that the New Zealand species are most closely related to Gaultheria in South America, with a high likelihood that these have naturally dispersed to New Zealand and since speciated. Gaultheria also has sister taxa in Australia and it is highly likely that Australian species originated from the dispersal of New Zealand species. [8]
Many New Zealand species of Gaultheria are known to readily hybridise with each other. [14] A hybrid between Gaultheria crassa and Gaultheria depressa (mountain snowberry) is found to have the typical white berries of mountain snowberry and the larger thicker leaves of Gaultheria crassa. [1] Other hybridisation has been reported between G. macrostima x crassa. [16]
Another well-studied area of the Gaultheria species in New Zealand is their gynodioecy. [10] This is a phenomenon where some plants within a species have only seed-producing flowers, and others have flowers producing both pollen and seeds. [10] This phenomenon is seen with Gaultheria crassa, with slight flower variation between female flowers, and bisexual flowers recorded.
Gaultheria shallon is an evergreen shrub in the heather family (Ericaceae), native to western North America. In English, it is known as salal, shallon, or gaultheria.
Symphoricarpos, commonly known as the snowberry, waxberry, or ghostberry, is a small genus of about 15 species of deciduous shrubs in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. With the exception of the Chinese coralberry, S. sinensis, which is indigenous to western China, all species are native to North and Central America. The name of the genus is derived from the Ancient Greek words συμφορεῖν (sumphoreîn), meaning "to bear together", and καρπός (karpós), meaning "fruit". It refers to the closely packed clusters of berries the species produces.
Gaultheria procumbens, also called the eastern teaberry, the checkerberry, the boxberry, or the American wintergreen, is a species of Gaultheria native to northeastern North America from Newfoundland west to southeastern Manitoba, and south to Alabama. It is a member of the Ericaceae.
Gaultheria is a genus of about 283 species of shrubs in the family Ericaceae. The name commemorates Jean François Gaultier of Quebec, an honour bestowed by the Scandinavian Pehr Kalm in 1748 and taken up by Carl Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum. These plants are native to Asia, Australasia and North and South America. In the past, the Southern Hemisphere species were often treated as the separate genus Pernettya, but no consistent reliable morphological or genetic differences support recognition of two genera, and they are now united in the single genus Gaultheria.
Gaultheria hispida, commonly known as the copperleaf snowberry, is an endemic eudicot of Tasmania, Australia. It is an erect multi-branched shrub, that can be found in wet forests and alpine woodlands. Its berries appear snowy white and leaves are tipped with a copper tinge, hence the common name.
Leucopogon parviflorus, commonly known as coast beard-heath or native currant, is a shrub or small tree in the family Ericaceae. It is native to all Australian states and territories excluding the Northern Territory and the ACT and also grows in New Zealand. The species can grow to between 1 and 5 metres in height and has leaves that are 11 to 29 mm long and 2.4 to 7.5 mm in width, often with curved tips. The white flowers are around 15 mm long and are produced in spikes of 7 to 13. These occur throughout the year.
Xylococcus is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the heather family which contains the single species Xylococcus bicolor, commonly known as the mission manzanita. It is a burl-forming, evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and smooth dark reddish bark. From December to February, white to pink urn-shaped flowers adorn the foliage, often attracting hummingbird pollinators. It is native to southern California and the Baja California Peninsula, south to the Sierra de la Giganta. There is growing concern over the future of this plant, referred to as the "queen of the elfin forest, " as it may possibly lose up to 88% of its habitat and its wild seedlings are failing to survive more than a full year.
Myrsine australis, commonly known as māpou, red matipo, tīpau, and mataira is a species of shrub within the family Myrsinaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand, found throughout both the mainland and offshore islands.
Coprosma propinqua is a New Zealand plant of the genus Coprosma in the family Rubiaceae. It is a widely-distributed small leaved divaricating shrub found throughout New Zealand.
Coprosma quadrifida is a dioecious shrub of the family Rubiaceae native to southeastern Australia. First described as Canthium quadrifidum by Labillardiere, it was given its current name by B. L. Robinson in 1910. Typically found at damp sites within woodlands, Eucalyptus forests or cool-temperate rainforests, it prefers sheltered slopes or sites near water sources. They are able to withstand frost and are salt tolerant. The species is also known as the Prickly Currant Bush.
Gaultheria hispidula, commonly known as the creeping snowberry or moxie-plum, and known to Micmaq tribes of Newfoundland as Manna Teaberry, is a perennial spreading ground-level vine of the heath family Ericaceae. It is native to North America and produces small white edible berries. It fruits from August to September. Its leaves and berries taste and smell like wintergreen.
Gaultheria depressa, commonly known as the mountain snowberry or alpine wax berry, is a small ground-hugging shrub of the heath family Ericaceae native to rocky alpine areas of Tasmania, Australia, and New Zealand.
Gaultheria antipoda, commonly known as snowberry or fools beech, is a shrub in the family Ericaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand.
Nymania capensis is a species of plant known in English as "Chinese lantern" because of the shape of its bright, colourful fruit, and in Afrikaans as "klapper". It is the only species in the genus Nymania. It is a spare, scrubby, woody shrub or small tree, typically ) 0.5–3 m tall. It is endemic to South Africa and some closely bordering territories, especially inland regions in central, northern and eastern parts. It grows mainly in Karooid regions, among the scrub of gorges, but also in open veld and river banks in the Great and Little Karoo, Namaqualand and Kalahari. The leaves are alternate and fascicled. They are simple and more or less linear. The flowers are solitary, born on pedicels in axils. The corolla and calyx have four lobes each, with eight stamens inserted at the base of the disc, the filaments being connate at their base. The ovary is superior and sessile; it has four lobes and four locules, each containing two collateral ascending ovules. The stigma is simple and the style extends further than the stamens. The fruit is an inflated membranous capsule, 3–5 cm across, each locule forming a distinct lobe. The ripe seeds are hard and rounded, some 2–4 mm in diameter. A locule may contain less than two seeds, due to abortion.
Gaultheria oppositifolia is a shrub in the heath family Ericaceae, endemic to New Zealand. Māori names include kama and niniwa. Common name for the genus in New Zealand is snowberry.
Veronica strictissima, the Banks Peninsula hebe, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is only found on Banks Peninsula in New Zealand.
Hawaiian Vaccinium (blueberries) is a monophyletic group comprising three species endemic to the archipelago of Hawaii: Vaccinium reticulatum, Vaccinium dentatum and Vaccinium calycinum, all commonly known in Hawaii as ʻōhelo.
Corema album, the Portuguese crowberry ; Spanish: camarina, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, Aquitaine, and the Azores (sub-species), where it may also be considered a different species. Its white berries are known to have been consumed by people in the Iberian Peninsula at least since the Middle-Ages. The only other species of the same genus is Corema conradii, found in North America.
Dracophyllum ophioliticum, commonly known as asbestos inaka and asbestos turpentine tree, is a species of shrub in the family Ericaceae. Endemic to New Zealand, it grows into a sprawling shrub, reaching heights of just 30–200 cm (10–80 in), and has leaves which form bunches at the end of its branches.
Gaultheria adenothrix, known as アカモノ (akamono) or イワハゼ (iwahaze), is a small evergreen shrub in the Ericaceae. It is one of three Gaultheria species native to Japan and grows in low-mountain to subalpine areas.