Gonocarpus montanus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Saxifragales |
Family: | Haloragaceae |
Genus: | Gonocarpus |
Species: | G. montanus |
Binomial name | |
Gonocarpus montanus (Hook.f.) Orchard | |
Gonocarpus montanus is a perennial, terrestrial herb in the family Haloragacae. [1] It is native to N.S.W, Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand. [2] Common names include mountain raspwort [3] and mat raspwort. [4] Its synonym is Haloragis montana. [1]
Gonocarpus montanus, from the family Haoragacae, is a small (10-15cm) perennial herb which grows both upright and procumbent. [1] The stem has short appressed hairs [4] running in lines along internodes. [5] Young stems may appear square in cross section. [5]
The leaves are arranged opposite on the stem. [4] [6] They are shaped ovate to broad lanceolate, [1] about 3.5-10mm long, and 2-6mm wide. [5] They have thick margins with 4-6 teeth [1] [4] [6] . The leaves are coriaceous and can be glabrous, or sparsley pilose on the base. [5] [4] They are attached to the stem by a petiole, 1-3mm long. [1]
Flowers occur from November to February. [4]
Floral bracts are present at the base of each flower and bracts lower on the stem are opposite, [5] [7] becoming alternate up the stem. [1] These bracts are lanceolate in shape, 2-4mm long, with smaller (0.8-1.5mm) lanceolate bracteoles (a leaf like structure between a bract and flower) present that are red/brown with entire margins. [1]
The flowers are red and small in Tasmania [1] but range from grey to violet/purple in NZ. [8] They are supported by a pedicel, 0.2-0.5mm long. [4] They have 4 sepals 0.9-1mm long with thick margins, 4 petals 1.5-1.8mm long, 4 stamens that attach opposite the sepals, and 4 staminodes 0.5mm long, opposite the petals. [1] [4] The anthers, part of the stamen where pollen is produced, are 0.8-1.2mm long. [1]
The ovary is ovoid in shape, 1-1.5mm long, and can be a silver-grey to reddish purple colour. [4] It is glabrous and 8 ribbed, often with 2 oblique calluses between ribs. [4]
The fruit is 1.5–1.6 mm long, silver-grey and is 1 seeded. [5]
Similar species (name). | Difference compared to Gonocarpusmontanus. |
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Gonocarpus serpyllifolius | Smaller, thinner leaves with less robust habit. [4] The flowers decussate in the lower part of the inflorescence only, fruit is more dull. [1] Stems round in cross section and hairs are not in lines along the internode. [5] |
Gonocarpus teucrioides | Leaves and stems in spreading hairs (not appressed). [5] |
Gonocarpus humilis, Gonocarpus tetragynus, and Gonocarpus micranthus. | All bracts are alternate. [5] |
Gonocarpus montanus occurs in the subalpine and alpine areas of NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and N.Z. There is an exception in Victoria with an occurrence noted in the Grampians. [1]
It is widespread and quite common in the subalpine to alpine, in a variety of habitats and vegetation communities. [5] In Australia it has been found in feldmark vegetation (Tasmania), [9] layered eastern moor vegetation (Tasmania), [10] wet sub alpine forests (Victoria), [11] and in alpine heaths including in Kosciuszko National Park (NSW). [12] In New Zealand it has been found in Leptospermum scoparium forest, and tussock grasslands. [13]
Vegetation type | Location | Description |
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Feldmark vegetation | The Boomerang | On mountain in the south of Tasmania, on transects within 250m of the summit (1081m asl) [9] |
Layered Eastern Moor community | King William Creek | On the central Plateau in a sub community of Eastern Moorland community (770-780m asl). [10] |
Alpine heath, alpine moorland, Eucalyptus woodland, mountain rainorest, subalspine moorland | Lake Dobson | Found in lake sediments of Lake Dobson (1034m asl). [14] |
Recorded interactions with the abiotic and biotic environment include:
In New Zealand it is thought the fruit is wind dispersed. [16]
Gonocarpus derived from Greek 'gonia' meaning angle or corner and 'carpos' meaning fruit. This describes its ribbed fruits. [17]
'Montanus' is latin for mountainous. [18]
A small plant for moist gardens and rockeries at higher altitudes. [11] Can be used as a ground cover in pots with other erect plants, likes to be moist. [19]
Diselma archeri is a species of plant of the family Cupressaceae and the sole species in the genus Diselma. It is endemic to the alpine regions of Tasmania's southwest and Central Highlands, on the western coast ranges and Lake St. Clair. It is a monotypic genus restricted to high altitude rainforest and moist alpine heathland. Its distribution mirrors very closely that of other endemic Tasmanian conifers Microcachrys tetragona and Pherosphaera hookeriana.
Athrotaxis cupressoides, commonly known as pencil pine, despite being a species of the family Cupressaceae and not a member of the pine family. Found either as an erect shrub or as a tree, this species is endemic to Tasmania, Australia. Trees can live for upwards of 1000 years, sustaining a very slow growth rate of approximately 12 mm in diameter per year.
A cushion plant is a compact, low-growing, mat-forming plant that is found in alpine, subalpine, arctic, or subarctic environments around the world. The term "cushion" is usually applied to woody plants that grow as spreading mats, are limited in height above the ground, have relatively large and deep tap roots, and have life histories adapted to slow growth in a nutrient-poor environment with delayed reproductivity and reproductive cycle adaptations. The plant form is an example of parallel or convergent evolution with species from many different plant families on different continents converging on the same evolutionary adaptations to endure the harsh environmental conditions.
Ozothamnus ferrugineus, commonly known as tree everlasting, is a member of the genus Ozothamnus, of the Asteraceae family – one of the largest families of flowering plants in Australia. Native to the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, it forms an erect shrub or small tree between 2 and 3 metres in height.
Tasmanian cushion plants are low growing, highly compact, woody, spreading mats that can grow up to 3 m in diameter, located mainly on the island of Tasmania. These mats are made up of tightly packed stems that grow at the same rate so that no apical rosettes protrude above the rest. The term cushion plant refers to a characteristic growth habit adopted by various species from a range of families to adapt to alpine and subalpine environments and areas of high latitude. They are adapted to grow in low nutrient areas and typically have deep taproots. Cushion plants are very slow growing and do not grow high above ground; mounds typically remain under 30 cm high. Underneath the living surface of the cushion, the plants either allow dead leaves to persist or produce non-photosynthetic material, resulting in an insulating effect.
Gonocarpus tetragynus is an Australian herb in the watermilfoil family Haloragaceae native to eastern Australia. Common names include common raspwort. A widespread species particularly found in dry eucalyptus forests, scrubland, and heathland.
Richea gunnii, the bog candleheath or Gunns richea, is an endemic Tasmanian angiosperm. It is a dicot of the family Ericaceae and is found in Central, Western and North-east Tasmania.
Astelia alpina called pineapple grass, silver astelia, or perching lily is a commonly found species in alpine and subalpine areas of Tasmania and the Australian Alps. It is a perennial herb that typically dominates its environment by growing in dense clusters, called mats, in alpine bogs. There are two subspecies: Astelia alpina var. novae hollandiae from New South Wales and Victoria and Astelia alpina var. alpina endemic to Tasmania. Both subspecies appear very similar to each other. The species was originally described by Robert Brown.
Orites diversifolia (=diversifolius), commonly known as variable orites, is a member of the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. The common name stems from the variable form of the leaves, which range from entire and linear to serrated and ovate. It is a common shrub in lowland rainforest, subalpine woodland and scrub.
Poa gunnii is a Tasmanian endemic tussock grass considered one of the most abundant and common in alpine and subalpine environments from about 800 m to above 1400 m. However it can be found to near sea level in the south of the island state where a cooler climate is prevalent. The genus Poa belongs to the family Poaceae. Tasmania has 16 native and 6 introduced species of Poa.
Gonocarpus teucrioides, or forest raspwort is a common flowering herb or subshrub in the Haloragaceae, or watermilfoil family. It is native to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and is widespread and abundant in the understorey of wet forests. The name raspwort refers to the rough, scabrous surface of many of the Gonocarpus species.
Chordifex hookeri is commonly known as woolly buttonrush or cord-rush. It is a rush species of the genus Chordifex in the family Restionaceae. The species is endemic to Tasmania.
Xyris marginata, commonly known as alpine yellow eye, is a monocot in the family Xyridaceae which is endemic to King Island (Tasmania) and Tasmania, commonly growing in button grass moorlands, at altitudes of up to 1070 meters (3,510.5 ft) above sea level. It was first collected by German-Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1875.
Chionogentias diemensis is a flowering herbaceous alpine plant in the family Gentianaceae, endemic to the island of Tasmania in Australia. It is commonly known as the Tasmanian mountain gentian. Chionogentias diemensis has been classified into two sub-species: the Tasmanian snow-gentian and the Ben Lomond snow-gentian.
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 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.
Olearia ledifolia, commonly known as rock daisy bush, is a species of flowering plant of the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Tasmania and found at higher altitudes where it grows as a low, compact bush with tough, leathery leaves and small white and yellow daisy-like "flowers" in summer.
Coprosma moorei, commonly known as blue matcurrant or turquoise coprosma, is a small, mat forming, prostrate shrub in the Rubiaceae family. It is native to highland areas of Tasmania and Eastern Victoria.
Leptecophylla oxycedrus, commonly referred to as coastal pinkberry or crimson berry, is a medium shrub to large tree native to Tasmania and southern Victoria. It is part of the family Ericaceae and has narrow, pointed leaves, white flowers and pale pink fruits. It was previously classified as a subspecies of Leptecophylla juniperina but has since been raised to the specific level in 2017. The species was originally described in 1805 by Jacques Labillardière in Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen which was published after his voyage through Oceania.
Gonocarpus humilis, commonly known as shade raspwort, is a small herb in the genus Gonocarpus of the family Haloragaceae. Shade raspwort is common along the eastern coast of Australia, and grows in moist and shaded locations. The leaves have a rough and scabrous surface, giving the plant the common name raspwort.