Olearia hectorii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olearia hectorii |
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| Conservation status | |
 Nationally Endangered (NZ TCS) |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Olearia
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| Species: |
hectorii
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Olearia hectorii is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. Its common names include deciduous tree daisy and Hector's tree daisy. It is endemic to New Zealand.
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Taxonomy
Although originally published under the name Olearia hectori, hectorii is the correct epithet under the ICBN (ST Louis) Art. 60.11.
Description
This species is a shrub with reddish stems and clusters of gray-green leaves up to 5 centimeters long. The yellow flowers droop from the bases of the leaves.
This species is threatened by habitat degradation. It requires open habitat for germination, but this kind of habitat is threatened by introduced flora. It is also threatened by introduced grazing animals.
Ecology
Olearia hectorii plays host to numerous moth species and is known to support at least 23 species, with at least 12 species that are specifically hosted by this plant. These moths are likely to play an important role in the pollination of the O. hectorii. Species hosted by this plant include the nationally critically endangered Stathmopoda campylocha and the nationally endangered S. albimaculata.
Conservation status
This plant is now classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification System as being Nationally Endangered.
