Olearia avicenniifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olearia avicenniifolia |
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| On Stewart Island | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Olearia |
| Species: |
O. avicenniifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Olearia avicenniifolia (Raoul) Hook.f.
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| Synonyms | |
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Aster avicenniifolia (Hook.f.) F.Muell. |
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The mountain akeake (scientific name: Olearia avicenniifolia) is a cool flowering plant. It belongs to the aster family, which includes daisies. This plant is special because it's endemic to New Zealand. This means it only grows naturally there. You can find it along the southern coasts of the South Island and on Stewart Island. Good news, it's not considered endangered!
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What Does Mountain Akeake Look Like?
The mountain akeake is a small, bushy plant. It can be a shrub or a small tree. It usually grows up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall. It can also spread out about 3 meters (10 feet) wide.
Bark and Branches
This plant has thin, papery bark. Its branches are a bit angled. They are covered in soft, white, woolly hairs. These hairs are called tomentum.
Leaves
The leaves of the mountain akeake are shaped like a long oval. They are dark green on top. But underneath, they are soft and white. Each leaf is usually 5 to 10 centimeters (2-4 inches) long. They are also 3 to 5 centimeters (1-2 inches) wide.
Flowers and Seeds
The mountain akeake produces pretty, daisy-like flowers. These flowers grow in clusters. Each flower has white petals, which are called rays. In the center, they have purple disks.
When Do They Bloom?
These sweet-smelling flowers appear between November and February. Each flower is about 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide. They grow in groups of three to ten flowers. After the flowers bloom, they turn into fluffy seeds.
How Was It Named?
The mountain akeake was first described in 1946. A scientist named Raoul gave it the name Shawia avicenniifolia. Later, in 1864, another scientist named Joseph Hooker moved it to the Olearia group of plants.
