''Abrotanella forsteroides'', commonly known as the

Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...

n cushion plant, is an

angiosperm Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed within a fruit ...

endemic to

, Australia. The plant is a dicot species in the daisy family Asteraceae and can be identified by its bright green and compact cushion like appearance. The term ''cushion plant'' refers to a characteristic growth habit adopted by a variety of species and families growing in alpine and subalpine environments. The growth habit is an adaptation to low nutrient areas and typically involves deep tap roots and densely-packed stems, which decay to form a layer of peat under the plants. This dense growth pattern provides insulating properties to the plant, preventing root exposure to sub-zero temperatures, and forms a mat- or cushion-like structure.

Description

A herbaceous perennial, the plant is low growing, woody, compact and spreads in mat-like manner to in diameter. The large mat is commonly interspersed with other cushion plant species such as '' Dracophyllum minimum'' and '' Donatia novae-zelandiae.'' The leaves are bright green, thick, crowded and sheathing from the base to a pointed tip with a single fine hair, the blades long. Flowering occurs from December–February. The flowers are small, solitary, tubular and white, positioned above the foliage.

Similar species

''Abrotanella forsteroides'' is commonly mistaken for ''Dracophyllum minimum'' and ''Donatia novae-zelandieae'' due to their vegetatively similar appearances. However, ''D. minimum'' is distinguished by its reddish leaf tips and lack of hair and ''D. novae-zelandiae'' is distinguished by the presence of hairy leaf axils.

Distribution and habitat

''Abrotanella forsteroides'' is commonly found in alpine and sub-alpine regions of

above . The plant is widespread in screes and alpine moors, and forms mosaics with other cushion plants. It typically occupies areas with high rainfall and poorly drained, shallow fibrous peaty soils.

Sensitivity

Cushion plants are extremely sensitive to being trampled on by bushwalkers due to their slow growing nature.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2821973 Flora of Tasmania forsteroides Taxa named by George Bentham