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 forsteroides | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Abrotanella |
| Species: | A. forsteroides
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| Binomial name | |
| Abrotanella forsteroides | |
| Synonyms | |
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The term cushion plant refers to a characteristic growth habit adopted by a variety of species and families growing in alpine and subalpine environments. The growth habit is an adaptation to low nutrient areas and typically involves deep tap roots and densely-packed stems, which decay to form a layer of peat under the plants. This dense growth pattern provides insulating properties to the plant, preventing root exposure to sub-zero temperatures, and forms a mat- or cushion-like structure.[1]
Description edit
A herbaceous perennial, the plant is low growing, woody, compact and spreads in mat-like manner to 3m in diameter.[1] The large mat is commonly interspersed with other cushion plant species such as Dracophyllum minimum and Donatia novae-zelandiae.[2] Leaves bright green, thick, crowded and sheathing from the base to a pointed tip with a single fine hair, the blades 2mm long.[3] Flowering occurs from December–February. The flowers are small, solitary, tubular and white, positioned above the foliage.[3]
Abrotanella forsteroides is commonly mistaken for Dracophyllum minimum and Donatia novae-zelandieae due to their vegetatively similar appearances. However, D. minimum is distinguished by its reddish leaf tips and lack of hair and D. novae-zelandiae is distinguished by the presence of hairy leaf axils.[4]
Habitat and conservation issues edit
Abrotanella forsteroides is commonly found in alpine and sub-alpine regions of Tasmania above 1,200m.[5] The plant is widespread in screes and alpine moors, and forms mosaics with other cushion plants. Typically occupying areas with high rainfall and poorly drained, shallow fibrous peaty soils.[6]
Cushion plants are extremely sensitive to being trampled on by bushwalkers due to their slow growing nature.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b Gibson, Neil (December 1988). A study on the biology of four Tasmanian cushion species (PDF) (PhD thesis). University of Tasmania. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2019.
- ^ "Key to Tasmanian Dicots". Key To Tasmanian Vascular Plants. University of Tasmania. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
- ^ a b Howells, Christine (2021). Tasmania’s Natural Flora (3rd ed.).
- ^ "Abrotanella forsteroides (Asteraceae) 2:371". Key to Tasmanian Vascular Plants. University of Tasmania. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
- ^ 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. ISSN 0040-0262.
- ^ Kitchener, A; Harris, S. "From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of Tasmania's Vegetation (Edition 2)". Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
- ^ "Cushion plants". Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania. Archived from the original on 27 Feb 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-26.