Forstera bellidifolia
Encyclopedia
Forstera bellidifolia, the Tasmanian Forstera, is a species in the family Stylidiaceae
that is endemic to Tasmania
, Australia
. It was described by William Jackson Hooker
in an 1851 volume of Icones Plantarum
. It is notably different from other members of the genus in that it is not native to New Zealand
nor does it possess the epigynous nectaries that are present in the other species.
Forstera bellidifolia is a glabrous perennial plant
with oblong-spathulate
leaves arranged in a basal rosette
. Scapes
are usually 5 to 10 cm (2 to 3.9 in) tall, with some as short as 3 cm (1.2 in) and as tall as 18 cm (7.1 in), upon which white flowers are borne from November to March that fruit from February to April. Forstera bellidifolia is endemic to Tasmania and is widespread but primarily located in the mountainous regions of Western and Southwestern Tasmania in the Tasmanian Central Highlands, Tasmanian Northern Slopes, and Tasmanian West biogeographical regions. It can be found growing from sea level
to approximately 1200 m (3,937 ft) in shaded seepages and pool margins, frequently in cushion plant
mounds.
Stylidiaceae
The family Stylidiaceae is a taxon of dicotyledonous flowering plants. It consists of five genera with over 240 species, most of which are endemic to Australia and New Zealand. Members of Stylidiaceae are typically grass-like herbs or small shrubs and can be perennials or annuals...
that is endemic to Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It was described by William Jackson Hooker
William Jackson Hooker
Sir William Jackson Hooker, FRS was an English systematic botanist and organiser. He held the post of Regius Professor of Botany at Glasgow University, and was the first Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He enjoyed the friendship and support of Sir Joseph Banks for his exploring,...
in an 1851 volume of Icones Plantarum
Icones Plantarum
Icones Plantarum is an extensive series of published volumes of botanical illustration, initiated by Sir William Jackson Hooker. The Latin name of the work means "Illustrations of Plants". The illustrations are drawn from herbarium specimens of Hooker's herbarium, and subsequently the herbarium of...
. It is notably different from other members of the genus in that it is not native to 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...
nor does it possess the epigynous nectaries that are present in the other species.
Forstera bellidifolia is a glabrous perennial plant
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
with oblong-spathulate
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
leaves arranged in a basal rosette
Rosette (botany)
In botany, a rosette is a circular arrangement of leaves, with all the leaves at a single height.Though rosettes usually sit near the soil, their structure is an example of a modified stem.-Function:...
. Scapes
Scape (botany)
In botany, scapes are leafless flowering stems that rise from the ground. Scapes can have a single flower or many flowers, depending on the species....
are usually 5 to 10 cm (2 to 3.9 in) tall, with some as short as 3 cm (1.2 in) and as tall as 18 cm (7.1 in), upon which white flowers are borne from November to March that fruit from February to April. Forstera bellidifolia is endemic to Tasmania and is widespread but primarily located in the mountainous regions of Western and Southwestern Tasmania in the Tasmanian Central Highlands, Tasmanian Northern Slopes, and Tasmanian West biogeographical regions. It can be found growing from sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
to approximately 1200 m (3,937 ft) in shaded seepages and pool margins, frequently in cushion plant
Cushion plant
A cushion plant is a compact, low growing, mat forming plant that is found in alpine, subalpine, arctic, or subarctic environments around the world...
mounds.