Ascarina
Encyclopedia
Ascarina is a plant genus of fewer than 20 species of small tree
s in the family Chloranthaceae
. Ascarina are usually tropical cloud forest species that require high humidity and regular rainfall to thrive. The name comes from the Ascaris worm
; the anthers of the Ascarina flower are thought to look similar to the worm. Most species are dioecious
, producing unisexual male or female flowers on separate plants. However, Ascarina lucida
, the only species in New Zealand
, is monoecious.
The basic chromosome number for the genus is n=13, although some species have n=14. The chromosome
morphology is similar to that of Chloranthus.
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s in the family Chloranthaceae
Chloranthaceae
Chloranthaceae is the botanical name of a family of flowering plants. The family consists of four genera, totalling several dozen species, of herbaceous or woody plants occurring in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, Madagascar, Central & South America, and the West Indies...
. Ascarina are usually tropical cloud forest species that require high humidity and regular rainfall to thrive. The name comes from the Ascaris worm
Ascaris
Ascaris is a genus of parasitic nematode worms known as the "giant intestinal roundworms". One species, A. suum, typically infects pigs, while another, A. lumbricoides, affects human populations, typically in sub-tropical and tropical areas with poor sanitation. A...
; the anthers of the Ascarina flower are thought to look similar to the worm. Most species are dioecious
Dioecious
Dioecy is the property of a group of biological organisms that have males and females, but not members that have organs of both sexes at the same time. I.e., those whose individual members can usually produce only one type of gamete; each individual organism is thus distinctly female or male...
, producing unisexual male or female flowers on separate plants. However, Ascarina lucida
Ascarina lucida
Ascarina lucida, commonly known as Hutu is a species of small tree in the family Chloranthaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand, being common on the West Coast and Nelson regions of the South Island and more rarely found in the North Island...
, the only species in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, is monoecious.
The basic chromosome number for the genus is n=13, although some species have n=14. The chromosome
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
morphology is similar to that of Chloranthus.