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Strathmore weed facts for kids

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Strathmore weed
Pimelea prostrata flowers.JPG
Scientific classification
Genus:
Pimelea
Species:
prostrata
Subspecies
  • Pimelea prostrata subsp. prostrata
  • Pimelea prostrata subsp. seismica
  • Pimelea prostrata subsp. thermalis
  • Pimelea prostrata subsp. vulcanica
  • Pimelea prostrata subsp. Ventosa

Pimelea prostrata, commonly known as Strathmore weed, New Zealand Daphne, and Pinatoro (Māori) is a species of small shrub, of the family Thymelaeaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has small white flowers and blue green leaves.

Description

Pimelea prostrata is a low growing Prostrate shrub. It has blue green leaves and small white flowers. Its stems range from 30 to 60 cm long, depending on the variety.

  • Pimelea prostrata subsp. prostrata has 30cm long stems and yellowish-brown branchlets.

Classification

Pimelea prostrata has five subspecies:

Pimelea prostrata subsp. prostrata, Pimelea prostrata subsp. seismica, Pimelea prostrata subsp. thermalis, Pimelea prostrata subsp. vulcanica and Pimelea prostrata subsp. Ventosa.

Etymology

Pimelea is the shortened version of the greek: Pimeleoides, which means "resembling Pimelea," a genus in the family Thymelaeaceae, prostrata describes the way in which it grows; Prostrate lying flat on the ground.

Toxins

Like many species of Pimelea, it is poisonous to animals, particularly horses. It was originally used as a source of the toxin prostratin, which can serve as a tumor-inhibiting agent.

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