Biology:Gingidia montana

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Short description: Species of flowering plant

Gingidia montana
Some white flowers
Gingidia montana in Southland

Declining (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Gingidia
Species:
G. montana
Binomial name
Gingidia montana
(J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) J.W.Dawson

Gingidia montana, or mountain aniseed, New Zealand aniseed,[2] koheriki, Māori anise, native angelica, or naupiro,[3] is a species of flowering plant,endemic to New Zealand.[2] It used to exist across the North and South Islands, but is now quite rare in the North Island due to heavy grazing by introduced herbivores.[2]

Description

The leaves are green, gray underneath, and has 5-10 opposite leaflets.[3] The stout habit and large leaves and leaflets distinguish it from Gingidia grisea, and by the lanceolate secondary bracts (as opposed to broad-elliptic or long-acuminate).[2]

Some green leaves divided into serrate leaflets, and white inflorescences
The leaves and flowers of G. montana

Range and habitat

Found in both the North and South Island of New Zealand. It occurs from the sea to the subalpine biome, and prefers open grassland and riparian areas, although it is now mainly seen on rocky slopes in the North Island where it is safe from browsing. The species was recently downgraded to Declining status, in part due to its fragmented range.[2]

Taxonomy

Gingidia is related to Aciphylla, and the relationship remains unresolved. G. montana was only split out from three other species in Australia and New Zealand in 2013, and from G. grisea in 2004.[4][5]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q15581604 entry