Giantflightlessbirds (talk | contribs) →Form: More on forms Tag: Visual edit |
Giantflightlessbirds (talk | contribs) Speargrass weevil Tags: nowiki added Visual edit |
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== Taxonomy == |
== Taxonomy == |
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Around 38–40 species of ''Aciphylla'' are recognised, along with 9 forms known, only by informal tag names, which may or may not represent distinct species.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mark |first=Alan |url=https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110256364 |title=Above the Treeline: A nature guide to alpine New Zealand |date= |publisher=Potton & Burton |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-988550-11-4 |edition=2nd |location=Nelson |pages=133 |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Lara |last2=Perrie |first2=Leon |date=2023-01-20 |title=An introduction to speargrasses – plants with a prickly reputation |url=https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2023/01/20/an-introduction-to-speargrasses-plants-with-a-prickly-reputation/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Te Papa’s Blog |language=en-NZ}}</ref> The genus is in need of taxonomic revision: some species may be hybrids; similar species with adjoining distributions such as ''[[Aciphylla aurea]]'' and ''[[Aciphylla ferox|A. ferox]]'' may be the same species; and tag-named taxa such as ''Aciphylla'' "Cass" may belong in existing species, or need formal description and naming.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Lara |last2=Perrie |first2=Leon |date=2023-02-08 |title=Speargrass collecting – a whirlwind tour of Te Waipounamu South Island |url=https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2023/02/09/speargrass-collecting-a-whirlwind-tour-of-te-waipounamu-south-island/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Te Papa’s Blog |language=en-NZ}}</ref> |
Around 38–40 species of ''Aciphylla'' are recognised, along with 9 forms known, only by informal tag names, which may or may not represent distinct species.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mark |first=Alan |url=https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110256364 |title=Above the Treeline: A nature guide to alpine New Zealand |date= |publisher=Potton & Burton |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-988550-11-4 |edition=2nd |location=Nelson |pages=133 |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Lara |last2=Perrie |first2=Leon |date=2023-01-20 |title=An introduction to speargrasses – plants with a prickly reputation |url=https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2023/01/20/an-introduction-to-speargrasses-plants-with-a-prickly-reputation/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Te Papa’s Blog |language=en-NZ}}</ref> The genus is in need of taxonomic revision: some species may be hybrids; similar species with adjoining distributions such as ''[[Aciphylla aurea]]'' and ''[[Aciphylla ferox|A. ferox]]'' may be the same species; and tag-named taxa such as ''Aciphylla'' "Cass" may belong in existing species, or need formal description and naming.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Lara |last2=Perrie |first2=Leon |date=2023-02-08 |title=Speargrass collecting – a whirlwind tour of Te Waipounamu South Island |url=https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2023/02/09/speargrass-collecting-a-whirlwind-tour-of-te-waipounamu-south-island/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Te Papa’s Blog |language=en-NZ}}</ref> |
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== Form == |
== Form == |
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Like other species in the family [[Apiaceae]], speargrasses have [[Taproot|taproots]] and small flowers, which are clustered into into inflorescences called [[Umbel|umbels]].<ref name=":1" /> Species can be distinguished by size, habit, flower head and [[bract]] size and shape, |
Like other species in the family [[Apiaceae]], speargrasses have [[Taproot|taproots]] and small flowers, which are clustered into into inflorescences called [[Umbel|umbels]].<ref name=":1" /> Species can be distinguished by size, habit, flower head and [[bract]] size and shape, leaf shape, and the type of [[stipule]]<nowiki/>s growing at the leaf base.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Lara |last2=Perrie |first2=Leon |date=2023-03-01 |title=Getting through speargrass defences: how to safely collect samples of a dangerous plant |url=https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2023/03/02/getting-through-speargrass-defences-how-to-safely-collect-samples-of-a-dangerous-plant/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Te Papa’s Blog |language=en-NZ}}</ref> Speargrasses in the ''A. aurea'' group (six species and three ta-named taxa) have milky sap, while other species have clear sap.<ref name=":4" /> Aciphylla is [[Dioecy|dioecious]], with separate male and female plants which do not flower every year. Because of this, identifying plants to species can depend on leaf characters and locality.<ref name=":0" /> |
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Many species of speargrass have tough, rigid leaves tipped with long sharp spikes. |
Many species of speargrass have tough, rigid leaves and flower bracts tipped with long sharp spikes, arranged in one or more rosettes which present spines in every direction. This form is hypothesised to have evolved to deter browsing by birds: the extinct giant [[moa]].<ref name=":5" /> The two large-leaved species endemic to to the [[Chatham Islands]], which never had moa, have soft leaves without spikes.<ref name=":1" /> |
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Speargrasses range from small, inconspicuous herbs to large spiky mounds, but they take four main forms:<ref name=":0" /> |
Speargrasses range from small, inconspicuous herbs to large spiky mounds, but they take four main forms:<ref name=":0" /> |
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== Conservation == |
== Conservation == |
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Many ''Aciphylla'' species are threatened by introduced mammals, such as domestic [[sheep]], [[Hare|hares]] (which can eat the leaves from the side to avoid the spiny tips), and feral [[Pig|pigs]] (which will dig up plants to eat the taproot).<ref name=":1" /> Widespread conversion of the New Zealand [[High country (New Zealand)|high country]] for [[Sheep farming in New Zealand|sheep farming]] and pasture is also a threat to the group.<ref name=":1" /> |
Many ''Aciphylla'' species are threatened by introduced mammals, such as domestic [[sheep]], [[Hare|hares]] (which can eat the leaves from the side to avoid the spiny tips), and feral [[Pig|pigs]] (which will dig up plants to eat the taproot).<ref name=":1" /> Widespread conversion of the New Zealand [[High country (New Zealand)|high country]] for [[Sheep farming in New Zealand|sheep farming]] and pasture is also a threat to the group.<ref name=":1" /> |
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== Pests and diseases == |
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''Aciphylla squarrosa'' has an species of beetle, the speargrass weevil (''[[Lyperobius huttoni]]''), which completely depends on it for food: adults feed on the leaves and flower stalks, and larvae on the roots, although it appears to do little damage to adult speargrass. The decline of ''A. squarrosa'' on the mainland and predation by rats and mice had reduced the [[North Island]] ''L. huttoni'' population by the 2000s to around 150 individuals living on cliffs of [[Wellington]]'s south coast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Department of Conservation |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |date=31 March 2006 |title=Weevil rescue underway |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0603/S00079.htm |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Scoop News}}</ref> ''A. squarrosa'' grows at low altitudes on both the south coast and nearby rodent-free [[Mana Island (New Zealand)|Mana Island]], so in 2006–2007 40 weevils were translocated to a speargrass patch on Mana, where they have bred successfully and spread.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miskelly |first=Colin |date=2015-11-19 |title=Speargrass weevils thriving on Mana Island |url=https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2015/11/20/speargrass-weevils-thriving-on-mana-island/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Te Papa’s Blog |language=en-NZ}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 20:27, 22 May 2023
Aciphylla is a genus of about 40 species of shrubby plants in the family Apiaceae, all but two of them endemic to New Zealand (the remaining two species are found[1] only in Australia). They generally grow as tall spikes surrounded by rosettes of stiff, pointed leaves. Their common name is speargrass or Spaniard.
Taxonomy
Around 38–40 species of Aciphylla are recognised, along with 9 forms known, only by informal tag names, which may or may not represent distinct species.[2][1] The genus is in need of taxonomic revision: some species may be hybrids; similar species with adjoining distributions such as Aciphylla aurea and A. ferox may be the same species; and tag-named taxa such as Aciphylla "Cass" may belong in existing species, or need formal description and naming.[3]
Form
Like other species in the family Apiaceae, speargrasses have taproots and small flowers, which are clustered into into inflorescences called umbels.[1] Species can be distinguished by size, habit, flower head and bract size and shape, leaf shape, and the type of stipules growing at the leaf base.[4] Speargrasses in the A. aurea group (six species and three ta-named taxa) have milky sap, while other species have clear sap.[3] Aciphylla is dioecious, with separate male and female plants which do not flower every year. Because of this, identifying plants to species can depend on leaf characters and locality.[2]
Many species of speargrass have tough, rigid leaves and flower bracts tipped with long sharp spikes, arranged in one or more rosettes which present spines in every direction. This form is hypothesised to have evolved to deter browsing by birds: the extinct giant moa.[4] The two large-leaved species endemic to to the Chatham Islands, which never had moa, have soft leaves without spikes.[1]
Speargrasses range from small, inconspicuous herbs to large spiky mounds, but they take four main forms:[2]
- Large speargrasses, often known as Spaniards or by their Māori name taramea, usually over 50 cm tall, with tough pointed leaves
- Small speargrasses, less than 50 cm tall (small speargrasses are collectively known as papaī by Māori), with a variety of leaf types from soft to thistle-like
- Sparsely-leaved small species that grow amongst tussocks, and are difficult to see unless in flower
- Small cushion forms with rigid leaves, living in alpine areas
Habitat
All but two species of Aciphylla are confined to New Zealand; the remaining two are endemic to Australia. Most species live in or near the alpine zone, but they range from mountains to coast. The group reaches its highest diversity in the South Island.[1][2]
Cultural use
Māori on occasion plaited sandals out of Aciphylla leaves for travel over snowy terrain. More important, though, was the aromatic gum extracted from the leaves, used in scented oils and sachets.[5] The Ngāi Tahu people of the South Island knew the larger Aciphylla species, especially Aciphylla aurea, as taramea, and the resin (ware or wai-whenua) was referred to as ware-taramea.[6] The smaller Aciphylla species were known as papaī, and were not used as fragrance, although their taproot was eaten.[6]
Taramea resin was traditionally collected by cutting or burning plants in the evening, and gathering the exuded gum in the morning. Leaves could also be gathered, plaited, and heated over several days to force out the gum into a gourd.[7] The ware-taramea was mixed with animal fat (from kererū, tītī,[7] weka, tūī, or kiore) to preserve the fragrance, and was worn in a pouch next to the skin known as a hei-taramea.[6] The aromatic gum was a valuable trade good and gift.
Taramea perfume is still prepared commercially today by Ngāi Tahu, using a steam extraction method on hand-harvested leaves.[7]
Conservation
Many Aciphylla species are threatened by introduced mammals, such as domestic sheep, hares (which can eat the leaves from the side to avoid the spiny tips), and feral pigs (which will dig up plants to eat the taproot).[1] Widespread conversion of the New Zealand high country for sheep farming and pasture is also a threat to the group.[1]
Pests and diseases
Aciphylla squarrosa has an species of beetle, the speargrass weevil (Lyperobius huttoni), which completely depends on it for food: adults feed on the leaves and flower stalks, and larvae on the roots, although it appears to do little damage to adult speargrass. The decline of A. squarrosa on the mainland and predation by rats and mice had reduced the North Island L. huttoni population by the 2000s to around 150 individuals living on cliffs of Wellington's south coast.[8] A. squarrosa grows at low altitudes on both the south coast and nearby rodent-free Mana Island, so in 2006–2007 40 weevils were translocated to a speargrass patch on Mana, where they have bred successfully and spread.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Shepherd, Lara; Perrie, Leon (2023-01-20). "An introduction to speargrasses – plants with a prickly reputation". Te Papa’s Blog. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
- ^ a b c d Mark, Alan (2021). Above the Treeline: A nature guide to alpine New Zealand (2nd ed.). Nelson: Potton & Burton. p. 133. ISBN 978-1-988550-11-4.
- ^ a b Shepherd, Lara; Perrie, Leon (2023-02-08). "Speargrass collecting – a whirlwind tour of Te Waipounamu South Island". Te Papa’s Blog. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
- ^ a b Shepherd, Lara; Perrie, Leon (2023-03-01). "Getting through speargrass defences: how to safely collect samples of a dangerous plant". Te Papa’s Blog. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
- ^ Orbell, Margaret (1985). The Natural World of the Maori. Auckland: Collins. pp. 47–51. ISBN 0-00-217219-4.
- ^ a b c Dobson-Waitere, Aaria; MacIntosh, Robin; Ellison, Matapura F.; Smallfield, Bruce M.; van Klink, John W. (2021). "Taramea, a treasured Māori perfume of Ngāi Tahu from Aciphylla species of Aotearoa New Zealand: a review of Mātauranga Māori and scientific research". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 52 (1): 1–17. doi:10.1080/03036758.2020.1856147. ISSN 0303-6758.
- ^ a b c "Taramea". MEA Natural Perfume Oil New Zealand. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
- ^ Department of Conservation (31 March 2006). "Weevil rescue underway". Scoop News. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
- ^ Miskelly, Colin (2015-11-19). "Speargrass weevils thriving on Mana Island". Te Papa’s Blog. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
External links
- "Aciphylla". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra.