Archeria traversii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Archeria traversii |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Archeria (plant)
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| Species: |
traversii
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Archeria traversii is a type of shrub that belongs to the Ericaceae plant family. It is found only in New Zealand.
Contents
Where Archeria traversii Lives
This special shrub grows in the southern parts of New Zealand. You can find it on the South Island and Stewart Island. It is not found in the Marlborough area or much of the eastern South Island.
How it Grows and Lives
Archeria traversii mostly grows in shrubland areas and in forests with conifer trees and broadleaf trees. It can be found from lowland areas up to mountain areas.
Its flowers bloom from December to February. The fruits then appear from February to April.
What Archeria traversii Looks Like
Leaves
The leaves of Archeria traversii are narrow and shaped like a spearhead. They become smooth and feel leathery. The top side of the leaf is dark green, while the bottom side is much paler. The tips of the leaves are pointed and sometimes have a reddish color.
The leaves are attached to the stem with a short, flat stalk. They are usually about 7 to 12 millimeters long and 2 to 4 millimeters wide. The edges of the leaves are smooth or have tiny hairs. You can often see clear veins on the underside of the leaves.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers grow in a single cluster at the end of a branch. This cluster has 8 to 16 flowers and is about 10 to 30 millimeters long. The main stem and the small stalks that hold the flowers are covered in fine hairs.
The flowers are about 4 to 5 millimeters long and are shaped like an urn. Their petals can be white, pink, or deep red. They are often lighter at the base and get darker towards the tips. The sepals (small leaf-like parts under the petals) are usually light green but turn red at their tips.
After flowering, the plant produces small, round fruits called capsules. These capsules are about 2 to 3 millimeters wide. Each capsule has 3 to 5 small sections inside where the seeds are held.
Its Family Tree
Scientists are still learning about the full family tree of the Archeria genus. However, based on how it looks, Archeria traversii seems to be most similar to A. racemosa. A. racemosa is the only other Archeria species found in New Zealand.
Is it Endangered?
Good news! Archeria traversii is currently considered to be a non-threatened species. This means it is not in danger of disappearing.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The name Archeria was given by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1844. He named it after W. Archer, a botanist from Tasmania who lived in the 1800s.
The second part of the name, traversii, honors William Travers. He was a New Zealand naturalist and politician from the 1800s. The plant species was named after him.
See also
In Spanish: Archeria traversii para niños
