Dracophyllum minimum
Dracophyllum minimum in flower on Mount Field, 2021
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Dracophyllum
Species:
D. minimum
Binomial name
Dracophyllum minimum

Dracophyllum minimum, commonly known as heath cushionplant or claspleaf heath, is a species of bolster cushion plant endemic to Tasmania, Australia.[1][2] It is a low growing, highly compacted plant with white flowers, commonly found in alpine areas of the south, centre and west of Tasmania.[3]

Description

Dracophyllum minimum is a highly compacted cushion plant that grows close to the ground. It can form a large spreading mat, often interspersed with other cushion plant species such as Oreobolus pumilio, Abrotanella forsteroides, Donatia novae-zelandiae and Mitrasacme archeri. This undulating mat of mixed species is referred to as mosaic cushion heath.[4] The leaves of D. minimum are bright green and sessile, with reddish tips and a broad sheathing base as long as the blade, approx 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in).[4] The flowers are small, solitary, white, and tubular, sitting directly on top of the foliage.[5] The plant can often be mistaken for the vegetatively similar cushion plants Abrotanella forsterioides and Donatia novae-zelandieae, however D. minimum is distinguished by its lack of a hairpoint on the leaf tip or hairy leaf axils.[6] Cuchion plants are extremely slow growing and can occupy sites for a long period of time.[7]

Habitat

Dracophyllum minimum is endemic to Tasmania. It is commonly found in alpine regions of the south, centre and west of Tasmania, at altitudes above 1,200 m (3,900 ft), where snow may lie for several months of the year.[4] It is generally found on shallow fibrous peaty soils with high rainfall and poor drainage.[8] Dracophyllum minimum can grow individually, however it often occurs in cushion plant communities, consisting of a complex mix of cushion plant species, commonly 30 species/m2 (2.8 species/sq ft), forming an extensive undulating mat. These communities can spread up to several hectares in area.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Species Dracophyllum minimum". Natural Values Atlas. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "Dracophyllum minimum F.Muell". www.gbif.org. GBIF. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  3. ↑ "Dracophyllum minimum (Ericaceae) 2:261". Key To Tasmanian Vascular Plants. UTAS. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Gibson, Neil B (1988). "A study on the biology of four Tasmanian cushion species" (PDF). University of Tasmania Hobart.
  5. ↑ Howells, C (2012). Tasmania's Natural Flora, Second Edition. Tasmania's Natural Flora Editorial Committee: Tasmania.
  6. ↑ "EPACRIDACEAE Dracophyllum minimum". Key To Tasmanian Vascular Plants. University of Tasmania Hobart. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  7. ↑ Kirkpatrick, James; Gibson, Neil (1992). "Dynamics of a Tasmanian Cushion Heath Community". Journal of Vegetation Science. 3 (5): 647–654. doi:10.2307/3235832. JSTOR 3235832. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Kitchener, Anne; Harris, Stephen (2005). From Forest to Fjaeldmark. Descriptions of Tasmania's Vegetation (PDF) (Volume 2 ed.). Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment. ISBN 0-7246-6364-9. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
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