Leptinella plumosa

Leptinella plumosa is a small flowering plant in the daisy family. It is a circumantarctic species found on many subantarctic islands in the Southern Ocean. The specific epithet comes from the Latin for “feathery”, referring to the form of the leaves.[4]

Leptinella plumosa
Flora Antarctica, Plate XX[1]

Naturally Uncommon (NZ TCS)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Leptinella
Species:
L. plumosa
Binomial name
Leptinella plumosa
Synonyms
  • Cotula plumosa (Hook.f.) Hook.f.

Description

A highly variable species, Leptinella plumosa is a perennial herb that forms extensive mats. Its creeping stems, growing up to 5 mm in diameter, have short, lateral branches with leaves in terminal rosettes. It flowers from November to March, and fruits from February to May.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The plant occurs in the Auckland, Antipodes, Campbell, Macquarie, Kerguelen, Prince Edward, Heard and Crozet Islands. It is widespread in coastal areas and rare inland, but has been recorded at altitudes of up to 150 m above sea level.[4]

Conservation status

In both 2009 and 2012 it was deemed to be "At Risk - Naturally Uncommon" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System,[5] and this New Zealand classification was reaffirmed in 2018 (due to its restricted range) but with a further comment that it is secure overseas.[2]

  • In Royal Hobart Botanical Gardens
    In Royal Hobart Botanical Gardens
  • On Possession Island
    On Possession Island

References
  1. Hooker, J.D. (1844). "Leptinella plumosa". The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the Years 1839-1843 :under the Command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. 1 (5): 26. Plate XX
  2. de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla, J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.M.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R. (1 May 2018). "Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 22: 45. OCLC 1041649797.
  3. "Leptinella plumosa". The Plant List. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  4. "Cotula plumosa". Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. 1993. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  5. "Leptinella plumosa | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". nzpcn.org.nz. Retrieved 16 February 2020.


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