Leptecophylla juniperina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leptecophylla juniperina |
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| Leptecophylla juniperina, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania | |
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Leptecophylla
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| Species: |
juniperina
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Leptecophylla juniperina is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the Ericaceae family. You can find this plant growing naturally in New Zealand and in the Australian states of Tasmania and Victoria. The plant produces fruit that you can eat, either raw or cooked. These plants grow best in places that have mild winters and cool, moist summers.
Contents
What is Leptecophylla juniperina?
Leptecophylla juniperina is a small shrub. It is known for its prickly leaves. This plant is a part of the heath family.
Where it Grows Naturally
This plant is native to two main countries. It grows in New Zealand. It also grows in parts of Australia. Specifically, you can find it in Tasmania and Victoria.
Different Types of Leptecophylla juniperina
Scientists have identified three main types, or subspecies, of Leptecophylla juniperina. These types are:
- Leptecophylla juniperina subsp. juniperina: This type is found in New Zealand and Tasmania.
- Leptecophylla juniperina subsp. oxycedrus: This type grows in Tasmania and Victoria.
- Leptecophylla juniperina subsp. parvifolia: This type is also found in Tasmania.
Where You Might See It
One place where Leptecophylla juniperina grows is in the forests of the northern South Island in New Zealand. It often grows alongside trees like silver beech and rimu. These forests also have other plants like Blechnum discolor growing nearby.
Common Names for the Plant
This plant has many different names. These names often depend on where you are.
Names in New Zealand
In New Zealand, people often call this plant prickly heath. Another common name is prickly mingimingi. The Maori people have many names for it, including hukihuki, hukihukiraho, inakapōriro, inangapōriro, kūkuku, miki, mikimiki, mingi, mingimingi, ngohungohu, pā tōtara, taumingi, and tūmingi.
Names in Australia
In Australia, one of the subspecies, parvifolia, is known by a different name. It is commonly called pink mountain berry.
Images for kids
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A close-up of a Leptecophylla juniperina flower.
See also
In Spanish: Leptecophylla juniperina para niños
