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Flora of the Antipodes Islands facts for kids

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The Antipodes Islands are a group of small islands far to the southeast of New Zealand. They are known for their unique wildlife and plants. This article explores the amazing plants, fungi, and other living things that grow on these islands. It includes some very large plants called megaherbs. These plants have huge leaves and flowers.

Megaherb community 2
A megaherb community

Algae

Algae are simple plant-like organisms. They often live in water or damp places. In 1985, scientists found 116 different kinds of marine algae around the Antipodes Islands. Marine algae live in the ocean.

At least three types of freshwater algae have also been found. These live in fresh water, like ponds or streams. However, scientists have not yet fully identified them. They include a species of Chlorella and at least one species of Chlamydomonas. There is also a type of yellow-green algae.

Fungi

Fungi are organisms like mushrooms or molds. They are not plants, but they are often found growing with them. Only two types of fungi have been recorded on the Antipodes Islands. These are Puccinia caricina and a type of Claviceps (Ergot) species.

Lichens

Lichens are fascinating living things. They are actually two organisms living together: a fungus and an alga. They grow on rocks, trees, and soil. Many different kinds of lichens have been found on the Antipodes Islands. Some examples include:

  • Cladia aggregata
  • Cladia retipora
  • Cladina confusa
  • Cladonia campbelliana
  • Everniastrum sorocheilum
  • Parmelia cunninghamii
  • Usnea torulosa

Liverworts

Liverworts are small, simple plants. They are related to mosses. They usually grow in damp, shady places. Many different species of liverworts have been recorded on the Antipodes Islands. Some of these include:

  • Adelanthus occlusus
  • Anastrophyllum schismoides
  • Chiloscyphus erraticus
  • Frullania falciloba
  • Jamesoniella colorata
  • Marchantia berteroana
  • Plagiochila deltoidea
  • Porella elegantula

Mosses

Mosses are small, soft green plants. They often grow in thick clumps in damp areas. The Antipodes Islands are home to many types of mosses. Here are some of them:

Lycopods

Lycopods are ancient plants. They are sometimes called clubmosses or ground pines. They look a bit like small ferns or mosses. Three different species of lycopods have been found on the Antipodes Islands:

Ferns

Ferns are a group of plants that reproduce using spores instead of seeds. They often have feathery leaves. Many types of ferns grow on the Antipodes Islands. Some examples are:

Flowering plants

Flowering plants are plants that produce flowers and seeds. They are a very diverse group. On the Antipodes Islands, flowering plants are divided into two main types: monocotyledons and dicotyledons.

Monocotyledons

Monocotyledons are flowering plants that usually have one seed leaf when they sprout. Their leaves often have parallel veins. Many monocotyledons have been found on the Antipodes Islands. These include:

Dicotyledons

Dicotyledons are flowering plants that usually have two seed leaves when they sprout. Their leaves often have branching veins. A wide variety of dicotyledons grow on the Antipodes Islands. Some of them are:

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