Dracophyllum acerosum
| Dracophyllum acerosum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Dracophyllum |
| Species: | D. acerosum |
| Binomial name | |
| Dracophyllum acerosum | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Dracophyllum uniflorum var. acicularifolium Cheeseman
| |
Dracophyllum acerosum is a species of shrub or small tree endemic to New Zealand's South Island. In the heath family Ericaceae. It inhabits mountain slopes, ridge lines and hillsides.[3][2] A 2023 assessment using the New Zealand Threat Classification System classified it as "Not Threatened", giving it an estimated population of more than 100,000.[1]
Description
It is an upright, multi-branched shrub or small tree that reaches 1–2 m (3–7 ft) in height. The bark on old branches is grey and smooth, while young stems are reddish-brown. Thee Leaves are erect and needle-like, measuring 30–190 mm in length but only 0.7–1.5 mm in width. Small white flowers grow on short lateral branches often shorter than the surrounding leaves.[2]
Taxonomy
It was first described by Sven Berggren in 1877 and gets the specific epithet acerosum, meaning needles shaped, for its leaves.[3]
References
Citations
- 1 2 "Assessment details for Dracophyllum acerosum Berggr". New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). Department of Conservation (New Zealand). 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- 1 2 3 "Dracophyllum acerosum". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
- 1 2 Venter, Stephanus (March 2021). "A taxonomic revision of the Australasian genera Dracophyllum and Richea (Richeeae: Styphelioideae: Ericaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 34 (2): 78–80. doi:10.1071/SB19049_CO. ISSN 1030-1887.
 Species of the Dracophyllum genus | |
|---|---|
| subg. Dracophyllum |
|
| subg. Oreothamnus |
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| subg. Cystanthe |
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| subg. Richea |
|