New Zealand broom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Zealand broom |
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| North Island broom, Carmichaelia aligera | |
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Astragalinae
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Carmichaelia
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| Carmichaelia australis |
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Carmichaelia is a group of 24 plant species. They are often called New Zealand brooms. These plants belong to the Fabaceae family, also known as the legume family. Most of these species grow naturally in New Zealand. Only one species, Carmichaelia exsul, is found on Lord Howe Island. It likely spread there from New Zealand.
The Carmichaelia group includes plants that used to be in other genera. These were Chordospartium, Corallospartium, Notospartium, and Huttonella. Now, all these plants are part of Carmichaelia. The Carmichaelia plants are related to other special New Zealand plants. These include the kakabeak (Clianthus) and the scree pea (Montigena). The group is named after Captain Dugald Carmichael. He was a Scottish army officer and botanist who studied New Zealand plants.
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What Do New Zealand Brooms Look Like?
Carmichaelia plants come in many shapes and sizes. Some grow into tall trees, while others are very small. They can be just a few centimeters high and grow flat on the ground.
Most grown-up Carmichaelia plants do not have many leaves. Instead, their leaves are replaced by small, fused parts called stipules. These stipules look like scales on the plant.
Where Do New Zealand Brooms Grow?
You can find Carmichaelia species all over New Zealand. However, the eastern part of the South Island is a special place for them. About 15 species grow only there.
Most Carmichaelia species only grow in a small area within New Zealand. They often grow in places where the ground has been disturbed. They like shallow, poor soils. They can also be found in areas that are very dry or get a lot of frost. Some species grow in river soils, which are called alluvial soils.
Are New Zealand Brooms Related to Other Brooms?
The New Zealand brooms are not closely related to the common broom found in Europe. That plant is called Cytisus scoparius. The European common broom was brought to New Zealand.
In New Zealand, the European common broom is sometimes called Scotch broom. This helps people tell it apart from the native New Zealand species. The Scotch broom is considered a harmful weed in New Zealand. This is because it spreads very quickly and can take over areas where native plants grow.
Types of New Zealand Brooms
The Carmichaelia group includes many different species. Here are some of them:
- Carmichaelia aligera – This is the North Island broom. It is common in the northern part of the North Island.
- Carmichaelia angustata – Known as the leafy broom.
- Carmichaelia appressa
- Carmichaelia arborea – This is the South Island broom.
- Carmichaelia arenaria
- Carmichaelia astonii
- Carmichaelia australis
- Carmichaelia carmichaeliae
- Carmichaelia compacta
- Carmichaelia corrugata
- Carmichaelia crassicaulis – Called coral broom. It grows in dry, stony ground on the eastern side of the Southern Alps. It can grow up to 1,300 meters high.
- Carmichaelia cunninghamii
- Carmichaelia curta
- Carmichaelia egmontiana
- Carmichaelia enysii – This is a dwarf broom. It forms low clumps that are only a few centimeters high. You can find it south of Arthur's Pass.
- Carmichaelia exsul – The only species not native to New Zealand.
- Carmichaelia fieldii
- Carmichaelia flagelliformis – Known as whip broom. Its stems are round, thin, and look like whips. It grows from the East Cape southwards.
- Carmichaelia floribunda
- Carmichaelia glabrata
- Carmichaelia glabrescens – Called pink broom. It can grow up to 10 meters high. It is only found at high altitudes in the Marlborough region of the South Island.
- Carmichaelia grandiflora – This is the large-flowered broom. It is found only on the West Coast of the South Island.
- Carmichaelia hollowayi
- Carmichaelia hookeri
- Carmichaelia × hutchinsii
- Carmichaelia juncea
- Carmichaelia kirkii
- Carmichaelia lacustris
- Carmichaelia monroi
- Carmichaelia muritai
- Carmichaelia nana
- Carmichaelia nigrans
- Carmichaelia odorata – This is the scented broom.
- Carmichaelia orbiculata
- Carmichaelia ovata
- Carmichaelia petriei
- Carmichaelia prona
- Carmichaelia ramosa
- Carmichaelia rivulata
- Carmichaelia robusta
- Carmichaelia silvatica
- Carmichaelia solandri
- Carmichaelia stevensonii – Also called weeping broom or tree broom. This is a unique tree that can grow up to 9 meters high. It is only found at high altitudes in the northeast part of the South Island. You can see it especially along the Clarence River and the Awatere River.
- Carmichaelia suteri
- Carmichaelia torulosa
- Carmichaelia uniflora
- Carmichaelia violacea
- Carmichaelia virgata
- Carmichaelia williamsii – This is the giant-flowered broom. It is found in coastal areas of the Bay of Plenty and East Cape.
- Carmichaelia vexillata
See also
In Spanish: Escoba de Nueva Zelanda para niños
