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Gaultheria antipoda

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Gaultheria antipoda
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Gaultheria
Species:
G. antipoda
Binomial name
Gaultheria antipoda
G.Forst.[1]

Gaultheria antipoda, commonly known as snowberry or fools beech, is a shrub in the family Ericaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand.[1]

Description

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G. antipoda is an upright or spreading shrub that grows to 1–2 metres (3.3–6.6 ft) high. The leaves are 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long, and are leathery, shiny, with small serrations. G. antipoda flowers around November, followed by white to red berries in late summer and autumn.[2] Unlike some other Gaultheria species that exhibit gynodioecy, G. antipoda is a hermaphroditic species (the individuals produce both pollen and seeds). [3]

Distribution

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This species is found in the North Island between 37° - 39°30'S in lowland to subalpine scrub habitat particularly on cliffs and rocky places.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Gaultheria antipoda G.Forst". New Zealand Organisms Register. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Snowberry (Gaultheria antipoda)". Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  3. ^ Delph, Lynda F.; Lively, Curtis M.; Webb, C. J. (2006). "Gynodioecy in native New Zealand Gaultheria (Ericaceae)". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 44 (4): 415–420. doi:10.1080/0028825X.2006.9513032. ISSN 0028-825X.
  4. ^ Eagle, Audrey (2008). Eagle's complete trees and shrubs of New Zealand volume two. Wellington: Te Papa Press. p. 536. ISBN 9780909010089.