Brachyglottis elaeagnifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brachyglottis elaeagnifolia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
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Senecioneae
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| Genus: |
Brachyglottis
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| Species: |
B. elaeagnifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Brachyglottis elaeagnifolia (Hook.f.) B.Nord.
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| Synonyms | |
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Senecio elaeagnifolia |
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Brachyglottis elaeagnifolia is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes daisies and sunflowers. This plant is endemic to New Zealand. This means it grows naturally only in New Zealand. You can find it specifically on the North Island.
What Does the Brachyglottis Plant Look Like?
B. elaeagnifolia is a shrub. It can grow up to 3 metres (about 10 feet) tall. Its branches have grooves, and the smaller branches are covered in whitish or light brownish hairs.
The stalks that connect the leaves to the stem, called petioles, also have these hairs. The leaves are tough and feel like leather. They are shaped like a wide spear or are oblong. Each leaf can be up to 9 centimetres (about 3.5 inches) long.
The top side of the leaves is shiny and smooth. The underside has silvery-white or brownish hairs. The plant's flowers grow in a cluster called a panicle. These flower heads look woolly and contain many small disc-shaped flowers.
After flowering, the plant produces small fruits called achenes. These fruits are 1 to 2 millimetres long. They have a fluffy top, called a pappus, made of barbed white hairs. These hairs can be up to 5 millimetres long.
Where Does This Plant Grow?
This plant is found in New Zealand. It grows on Mount Taranaki on the North Island. It often grows on volcanic rock and soil left behind by eruptions.
Brachyglottis elaeagnifolia can form thick groups of plants. Some of these groups can be as old as 100 years.
