Abrotanella caespitosa is a member of the daisy family and is an endemic species of New Zealand.
Description
Abrotanella caespitosa forms a loose cushion habit with runners that have distant scale leaves. It has narrower leaves compared to its close relatives and lacks a waxy bloom on its leaves.
Distribution and habitat
The species is found in the South Island and southern North Island of New Zealand. It grows in alpine herbfield habitats.
Taxonomy and evolution
Abrotanella caespitosa is closely related to A. inconspicua, A. nivigena (from Australia), and A. patearoa. These four species form a well-supported clade and have almost identical DNA sequences, suggesting they diverged within the last 500,000 years. Abrotanella caespitosa is part of a radiation of Abrotanella species that occurred during the Pliocene and Pleistocene, associated with mountain building and glaciation episodes.
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