| Pleurophyllum criniferum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pleurophyllum criniferum found on Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Pleurophyllum |
| Species: | P. criniferum |
| Binomial name | |
| Pleurophyllum criniferum | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Pleurophyllum criniferum is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is endemic to the subantarctic islands of New Zealand.
Pleurophyllum criniferum is a large perennial herb, growing up to 2 m in height. The leaves may grow to a metre or more in length and are diverse in shape, though usually oblong-ovate to lanceolate, the undersides covered by silky white hairs. The flowers occur as 15–30 heads in elongated racemes with short and inconspicuous ray-florets and dark purple disk-florets. The plant flowers from December to February and fruits from January to May. [3]
The plant is endemic to New Zealand’s subantarctic Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands, where it is a striking component of the megaherb community. It occurs from the coast up into the island ranges on peaty ground in herbfields. [3]
Auckland Island is the main island of the eponymous uninhabited archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the New Zealand subantarctic area. It is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list together with the other New Zealand Subantarctic Islands in the region.
The Campbell Plateau is a large oceanic plateau south of New Zealand and the Chatham Rise. It originated in the Gondwanan breakup and is part of Zealandia, a largely submerged continent. The above sea level parts of the plateau — the Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island — form part of the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands which were declared a World Heritage Site in 1998. Large parts of the Campbell Plateau lie less than 1000 m below sea level. It rises to 500 m at the Pukaki Rise and emerges above sea level at the Auckland and Campbell Islands.
Damnamenia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae.
Pleurophyllum is a genus of subantarctic plants in the tribe Astereae within the family Asteraceae.
Corybas sulcatus, also known as the grooved helmet-orchid, is one of two helmet orchids endemic to Australia’s subantarctic Macquarie Island, and the second to be discovered. The Latin specific epithet sulcatus means "grooved”, with reference to the prominent groove in the labellum boss. It is a small, terrestrial, tuberous, herbaceous plant that forms clonal colonies. The flower is erect, mostly dark red, 25–30 mm long and 10–14 mm wide. The flowering period is November–December. It occurs on the plateau uplands of the island, growing in wet grassy seepage areas. It can be distinguished from the only other orchid on the island, Corybas dienemus, by its dark red flowers.
Pleurophyllum hookeri, also known as the silver-leaf daisy or sage-green rosette herb, is a herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae, a megaherb native to the subantarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands of New Zealand and Australia’s Macquarie Island. It grows up to 900 mm in height and has crimson button flowers and long, silky, silver leaves, with a large carrot-like tuber and long roots. It also has the unusual feature of a vertically contractile stem, most of which is underground, which serves to keep the leaf rosette close to the ground surface and the plant anchored securely against the very strong winds typical of subantarctic islands. Prior to the successful eradication of introduced mammals on Macquarie Island in 2011, it had been threatened there by black rats and European rabbits.
Poa foliosa is a species of tussock grass commonly known as muttonbird poa. It is native to the subantarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia.
Luzula crinita is a species of flowering plant in the rush family that is native to the subantarctic islands of New Zealand and Australia. The specific epithet comes from the Latin crinitus, with reference to the leaves.
Colobanthus muscoides is a low-growing, moss-like flowering cushion plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, found on islands in the south-western Pacific Ocean, especially in the subantarctic region. The specific epithet comes from the Latin muscus (moss) and -oides (resembling), with reference to its growth habit.
Polystichum vestitum, commonly known as the prickly shield fern or pūnui (Maori), is a hardy, evergreen or semi-evergreen ground fern.
Juncus scheuchzerioides is a species of rush variously called short rush or greater rush. It has an Antarctic circumpolar distribution and is native to many subantarctic islands in, and on the regions bordering, the Southern Ocean.
Bulbinella rossii, commonly known as the Ross lily, is a species of flowering plant in genus Bulbinella. It is one of the subantarctic megaherbs. The specific epithet honours British Antarctic explorer James Clark Ross, who visited Campbell Island in December 1840.
Anisotome latifolia, commonly known as the Campbell Island carrot, is a species of plant in the genus Anisotome of the carrot family (Apiaceae). It is native to the Auckland and Campbell Islands in the subantarctic regions of the South Pacific.
Coprosma perpusilla, commonly known as creeping coprosma, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is found in Australia, New Zealand and on some subantarctic islands. The specific epithet comes from the Latin per (very) and pusillus, referring to the growth habit.
Leptinella plumosa is a small flowering plant in the daisy family. It is a circumantarctic species found on many subantarctic islands in the Southern Ocean. The specific epithet comes from the Latin for “feathery”, referring to the form of the leaves.
Senecio howeanus is an annual, or short-lived perennial, herb in the daisy family, Asteraceae. The specific epithet refers to the type locality.
Senecio pauciradiatus is an annual herb in the daisy family, Asteraceae. The specific epithet comes from the Latin pauci- (“few”) and radiatus, referring to the flower's relatively few ray florets.
Oreobolus pectinatus is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family that is native to the subantarctic islands, and to the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The specific epithet derives from the Latin, pectin/pectinis,, and refers to the leaves.
Megaherbs are a group of herbaceous wildflowers growing in the New Zealand subantarctic islands and on the other subantarctic islands. They are characterised by their great size, with huge leaves and very large and often unusually coloured flowers, which have evolved as an adaptation to the harsh weather conditions on the islands. They suffer from overgrazing due to introduced mammals.
Ichneutica erebia is a moth of the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found on Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands. Adults of this species are on the wing from August to January. The adults are variable in appearance but can be distinguished from similar species by the patters or lack thereof on their forewings. The larvae of I. erebia are polyphagous and hosts include Pleurophyllum criniferum, species within the genera Stilbocarpa and Carex, as well as Chionochloa antarctica', Urtica australis and Raukaua simplex.
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