Elatostema rugosum

Elatostema rugosum, commonly known as parataniwha or New Zealand begonia, is a herbaceous ground cover plant that is endemic to New Zealand.

Elatostema rugosum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Urticaceae
Genus: Elatostema
Species:
E. rugosum
Binomial name
Elatostema rugosum
A.Cunn.

Elatostema rugosum grows up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high in wet, shaded places such as gullies and streamsides. It has long green-purple leaves with prominent veins and a saw-like edge.[1]

The common name parataniwha, roughly translates to "home of the taniwha" and suggests the presence of a taniwha, a powerful supernatural being in Māori mythology. [2]

References

  1. "Elatostema rugosum (Parataniwha)". Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  2. "Is there a taniwha in your garden? | Horticulture Blog | Auckland Zoo".
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