Azorella macquariensis, also known as Macquarie azorella or Macquarie cushions, is a species of cushion plant endemic to Australia’s subantarctic Macquarie Island. It was referred to the more widely distributed Azorella selago until 1989, when it was described as a separate species.[3]
| Azorella macquariensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Azorella macquariensis cushion plant on Macquarie Island. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Azorella |
| Species: | A. macquariensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Azorella macquariensis Orchard, 1989[2] | |
Description
editAzorella macquariensis is a perennial cushion-forming herb. Individuals form cushions and mats that may vary in size from a few centimetres to several metres in diameter and up to 60 cm in height. It is a keystone species dominating Macquarie's feldmark habitat, in which it is the only vascular plant, forming a major structural component of the vegetation. The feldmark community covers about half the island in the most wind-exposed areas of the plateau some 200–400 m above sea level. The plant flowers from December to February and fruits from January to April. It turns brown and ceases to grow during winter (from June to August).[3]
Conservation status
editReferences
editNotes
edit- 1 2 Azorella macquariensis, Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australia.
- ↑ Orchard (1989)
- 1 2 3 Tasmanian Threatened Species Notesheet (2009)
Sources
edit- Orchard, A.E. (1989). "Azorella Lamarek (Hydrocotylaceae) on Heard and Macquarie Islands". Muelleria. 7: 16–18.
- "Azorella macquariensis – Macquarie cushions" (PDF). Tasmanian Threatened Species Notesheet. Department of Primary Industries and Water, Tasmania. 2009. Retrieved 2010-09-22.