Strathmore weed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strathmore weed |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pimelea
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| Species: |
prostrata
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Pimelea prostrata, commonly known as Strathmore weed, New Zealand Daphne, and Pinatoro (Māori) is a species of small shrub, of the family Thymelaeaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has small white flowers and blue green leaves.
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Description
Pimelea prostrata is a low growing Prostrate shrub. It has blue green leaves and small white flowers. Its stems range from 30 to 60 cm long, depending on the variety.
- Pimelea prostrata subsp. prostrata has 30cm long stems and yellowish-brown branchlets.
Classification
Pimelea prostrata has five subspecies:
Pimelea prostrata subsp. prostrata, Pimelea prostrata subsp. seismica, Pimelea prostrata subsp. thermalis, Pimelea prostrata subsp. vulcanica and Pimelea prostrata subsp. Ventosa.
Etymology
Pimelea is the shortened version of the greek: Pimeleoides, which means "resembling Pimelea," a genus in the family Thymelaeaceae, prostrata describes the way in which it grows; Prostrate lying flat on the ground.
Toxins
Like many species of Pimelea, it is poisonous to animals, particularly horses. It was originally used as a source of the toxin prostratin, which can serve as a tumor-inhibiting agent.
