Abrotanella caespitosa is a member of the daisy family and is an endemic species of the South Island of New Zealand.[1]
| Abrotanella caespitosa | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Abrotanella |
| Species: | A. caespitosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Abrotanella caespitosa | |
Description
editAbrotanella caespitosa forms a loose cushion habit with runners that have distant scale leaves. It has narrower leaves compared to its close relatives and lacks a waxy bloom on its leaves.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species is found in the South Island of New Zealand, with recorded populations in Southland (The Remarkables) and Otago (Rock and Pillar Range). It grows in alpine herbfield habitats.[2]
Taxonomy and evolution
editAbrotanella caespitosa is closely related to A. inconspicua, A. nivigena (from Australia), and A. patearoa. These four species form a well-supported clade and have almost identical DNA sequences, suggesting they diverged within the last 500,000 years. Abrotanella caespitosa is part of a radiation of Abrotanella species that occurred during the Pliocene and Pleistocene, associated with mountain building and glaciation episodes.[2]
References
edit- ^ Kew Science Plants of the World Online, retrieved 26 June 2020
- ^ a b c Wagstaff, Steven J.; Breitwieser, Ilse; Swenson, Ulf (2006). "Origin and relationships of the austral genus Abrotanella (Asteraceae) inferred from DNA sequences". Taxon. 55 (1): 95–106. doi:10.2307/25065531. JSTOR 25065531.