Abrotanella forsteroides, commonly known as the Tasmanian cushion plant, is an endemic angiosperm of Tasmania, Australia. The plant is a dicot species of 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.[1]
Description
A herbaceous perennial, the plant is low growing, woody, compact and spreads in mat-like manner to 3m in diameter.[1] The large mat is commonly interspersed with other cushion plant species such as Dracophyllum minimum and Donatia novae-zelandiae[2]. Leaves bright green, thick, crowded and sheathing from the base to a pointed tip with a single fine hair, the blades 2mm long.[3] Flowering occurs from December-February. The flowers are small, solitary, tubular and white, positioned above the foliage.[3]
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.[4]
Habitat and conservation issues
Abrotanella forsteroides is commonly found in alpine and sub-alpine regions of Tasmania above 1,200m.[5] The plant is widespread in screes and alpine moors, and forms mosaics with other cushion plants. Typically occupying areas with high rainfall and poorly drained, shallow fibrous peaty soils.[6]
Cushion plants are extremely sensitive to being trampled on by bushwalkers due to their slow growing nature.[7]
