Gaultheria hispida

Gaultheria hispida, commonly known as the copperleaf snowberry, is an endemic eudicot of Tasmania, Australia. It is an erect multi-branched shrub, that can be found in wet forests and alpine woodlands. Its berries appear snowy white and leaves are tipped with a copper tinge, hence the common name.[1][2]

Gaultheria hispida
Gaultheria hispida, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Asterids
Order:Ericales
Family:Ericaceae
Genus:Gaultheria
Species: G. hispida
Binomial name
Gaultheria hispida

Description

Gaultheria hispida is a small, erect multi-branched shrub, in the Ericaceae family. G. hispida can grow up to 2m in a protected site, such as a forest, but will be smaller in more exposed alpine sites. Its leaves grow to be 4–9 cm long and appear dark green and glossy, with depressed veins and finely serrated leaf margins, tinged copper.[1][2] Stems are usually red with terminal clusters of small white, urn shaped flowers at its apex. Flowering Spring through Summer followed by distinctive snowy white sepals enclosing a reddish capsules or “fruit” in Autumn.[1]

It is considered to be highly representative of the Ericaceae family for its phylogenetic significance.[3]

G.hispida, in flower. Photo courtesy of Rb Wiltshire

Cultivation

G. hispida can be easily propagated from cuttings or seed, making it a favourable garden plant. They are best suited to a constantly moist, well drained site, with loamy and or fertile soils.[1][4]

G.hispida, characteristic fruit and leaves. Photo courtesy of Rb Wiltshire.

Habitat and Distribution

The Gaultheria genus is found across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and North and South America. The species “hispida” is found exclusively in Tasmania and some parts of Victoria.[1][5] The species is considered endangered within Victoria, and of conservation significance in Tasmania, but is neither threatened or uncommon.[6][3] G. hispida is most abundant in cool, moist, mountain or alpine areas, between 250 -1100m.[1]

Alpine vegetation in Cradle Mountain National park, where G. hispida is found.
Map of distribution for G.hispida, in Tasmania, Australia. Generated by Tasmanian Natural Values Atlas.

It's distribution is most abundant in the western side of Tasmania, (to the west of Tylers line), on ancient fold province soils, where wet forests and alpine vegetation dominate. Other patches of distribution, to the east of Tyler's line, are predominantly alpine areas, in the north east, south east and central north, on younger fault province soils.[3][7]

Tasmania's unique geological history of repeated glaciation has enabled many species to expand their geographic range. This glaciation caused the contraction and expansions of alpine zones, thereby dispersing species beyond their initial alpine habitats. Many species then continued to persist in these areas, as is the case with G. hispida.[8]

Other suitable habitats for G. hispida in Tasmania include: rainforest, wet eucalypt forest and montane vegetation.[4]

Uses

The fruit of G. hispida are edible, with a bitter taste and were commonly collected by Tasmanian Aborigines as bushfood, and were eaten by early settlers.[9] Other members of the Gaultheria genus have been used to make teas and jellies, and even claimed to have natural anti inflammatory properties.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Howells, Christine; Whiting, Jenny; Roberts, Ricky; Reeves, Frank; Verity, Tayler (2012). Tasmania's Natural Flora. Hobart TAS: Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc., Hobart Group. p. 167. ISBN 9780909830663.
  2. 1 2 Jordan, Greg (2017). "Gaultheria hispida (Ericaceae) 2:417". Key to Tasmanian Diocots. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Species Gaultheria hispida (89-00666)". Natural Values Atlas. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Hobart Plant Species List" (PDF). Understorey network.org. Natural Resource Management Tasmania, Understory Network. 2007. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  5. ↑ Ian., Clarke, (1987). Name that flower : the identification of flowering plants. Lee, Helen. Carlton, Victoria, Australia: Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0522843352. OCLC 17511745.
  6. ↑ "Flora of Victoria". vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  7. ↑ "Variation of Tasmanian vegetation from East to West". Wikipedia. 2017-04-20.
  8. ↑ Tasmanian native bush : a management handbook. Kirkpatrick, J. B. (James Barrie), Pharo, E. J. Hobart, Tas.: Tasmanian Environment Centre. 1991. ISBN 0909160090. OCLC 26756373.
  9. ↑ 1956-, Low, Tim, (1991). Wild food plants of Australia (Rev. ed.). North Ryde NSW, Australia: Angus of Robertson. ISBN 0207169306. OCLC 25220546.
  10. ↑ Zhang, Dan; Liu, Rui; Sun, Lan; Huang, Chao; Wang, Chao; Zhang, Dong-Ming; Zhang, Tian-Tai; Du, Guan-Hua (2011-05-09). "Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Methyl Salicylate Glycosides Isolated from Gaultheria yunnanensis (Franch.) Rehder". Molecules. 16 (5): 3875–3884. doi:10.3390/molecules16053875.
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