Montitega dealbata
| Montitega dealbata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Montitega |
| Species: | M. dealbata
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| Binomial name | |
| Montitega dealbata | |
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| Distribution of M. dealbata from the Atlas of Living Australia | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
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Montitega dealbata is a dense mat-forming plant native to Tasmania and New Zealand. The whitish underside of the 3–5mm long and 1–2mm wide leaves distinguish this species from the similar alpine plant Pentachondra pumila.[4][5]
Description
[edit]M. dealbata is a small prostrate woody shrub, part of the Ericaceae family, that forms dense, cushion-like mats of up to 400mm wide and 30mm tall. It has numerous, close-set branchlets, and small, close-set leaves. The leaves are imbricate, or overlapping, coriaceous, or leather-like, free from hair, and form a narrow elliptic or oblong shape.[6]
Taxonomy
[edit]Montitega dealbata was previously known as Cyathodes dealbata R.Br. The Cyathodes genus was first described in 1805, with the first documentation of Cyathodes dealbata in 1810, along with two other species; C. parvifolia and C. straminea.[2] In 2010, Montitega dealbata was identified to have no close relationship with the Cyathodes, and instead is a sister species to Monotoca genus. This led to a new monotypic genus in the Ericaceae family, Montitega (C.M.Weiller) being created.[7]
Distribution
[edit]It is found in Tasmania and New Zealand and is a strictly an alpine species in the northern parts of its range but can be found down to sea level in the southern extents.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Montitega dealbata". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ a b Weiller, C. M. (1996). "Reassessment of Cyathodes (Epacridaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 9 (4): 491–507. doi:10.1071/sb9960491. ISSN 1446-5701.
- ^ "Montitega dealbata (R.Br.) C.M.Weiller". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ Jordan, Greg; Tng, David; White, Richard (2019). "Montitega dealbata (formerly known as Cyathodes dealbata; Ericaceae) 2:427". Key to Tasmanian Vascular Plants. University of Tasmania. Archived from the original on 18 July 2005. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Montitega Dealbata". Leaf Library. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Montitega dealbata". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Albrecht, D. E.; Owens, C. T.; Weiller, C. M.; Quinn, C. J. (3 November 2010). "Generic concepts in Ericaceae: Styphelioideae – the Monotoca group". Australian Systematic Botany. 23 (5): 320–332. doi:10.1071/SB10009. ISSN 1446-5701.