Gentianella corymbifera
| Gentianella corymbifera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gentianella corymbifera in Kaikōura | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Gentianaceae |
| Genus: | Gentianella |
| Species: | G. corymbifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Gentianella corymbifera (Kirk) Holub | |
Gentianella corymbifera, commonly known as grassland or tall gentian, is a species of flowering plant, endemic to New Zealand.[2][3][4]
Description
A small herb, biennial, with bunches of white or pink flowers.[5] The flowers appear from December to March.[4]
This species can be distinguished from other species in the same genus by the short terminal stem of the flowers, by the many flowers (in some counts, up to 110), and by the rosette leaves, which are usually both wide, thick, and shaped like a V.[4]
Range
This species is found on the South Island of New Zealand, where it is generally found in the northern areas and to the east of the central spine of the mountains. It is rarer in Otago to the south.[4][6]
Habitat
This species lives in montane to alpine environments, from tussock grassland to fluvial washes.[4][6]
Ecology
The flowers are generally inedible to livestock.[4] The leaves are however eaten by native grasshoppers.[7][8] The flowers are visited by solitary bees, as well, such as Hylaeus matamoko,[9] as well as flies and butterflies.[10]
Etymology
Corymb is a botanical term, where the stalks of lower flowers are extended to the same length as the upper flowers, resulting in a bouquet-like appearance for the flowers. Corymbifera is a neo-Latin construction which means 'corymb-bearing'.[4]
Taxonomy
Gentianella corymbifera contains the following subspecies:
Chemistry
A naturally occurring penta-oxygenated xanthone pigment, called corymbiferin, with the molecular formula C15H12O7 [1,3,8-trihydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-9H-xanthen-9-one] has been isolated from the roots.[11] The flowers only have six volatile compounds.[12]
References
- ↑ "NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Gentianella corymbifera". iNaturalist NZ. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- ↑ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Species: Gentianella corymbifera". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Gentianella corymbifera subsp. corymbifera". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- ↑ "Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Gentianella corymbifera". www.nzflora.info. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Gentianella corymbifera subsp. gracilis". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- ↑ Nakano, Mari; Park, Kye Chung; A. Trewick, Steven; Morgan-Richards, Mary (1 June 2024). "Food plant odor perception in three sympatric alpine grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Catantopinae) in Aotearoa New Zealand". Chemoecology. 34 (2): 71–81. Bibcode:2024Chmec..34...71N. doi:10.1007/s00049-024-00403-8. ISSN 1423-0445.
- ↑ Nakano, M (2023). Food plants and chemical ecology of sympatric species of endemic New Zealand alpine grasshoppers: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey University.
- ↑ Bischoff, Mascha; Campbell, Diane R.; Lord, Janice M.; Robertson, Alastair W. (April 2013). "The relative importance of solitary bees and syrphid flies as pollinators of two outcrossing plant species in the New Zealand alpine". Austral Ecology. 38 (2): 169–176. Bibcode:2013AusEc..38..169B. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02389.x. ISSN 1442-9985.
- ↑ Ridden, Johnathon D.; Donald, Marion L. (4 July 2025). "Uncovering Hidden Relationships: Museum Data Reveal Novel Interactions for Neglected Insect Pollinators". Journal of Applied Entomology. doi:10.1111/jen.13466. ISSN 0931-2048.
- ↑ Ramabharathi, Vatsavaya; Schuehly, Wolfgang (January 2014). "How to Deal with Nomenclatoral Ambiguities of Trivial Names for Natural Products? – A Clarifying Case Study Exemplified for "Corymbosin"". Natural Product Communications. 9 (1) 1934578X1400900118. doi:10.1177/1934578x1400900118. ISSN 1934-578X.
- ↑ Bischoff, M (2008). Pollination ecology of the New Zealand alpine flora (Doctoral dissertation). University of Heidelberg.