Dracophyllum acerosum is a species of shrub or small tree endemic to New Zealand's South Island. In the heath family Ericaceae. It inhabits mountain slopes, ridge lines and hillsides. A 2023 assessment using the New Zealand Threat Classification System classified it as "Not Threatened", giving it an estimated population of more than 100,000.
Description It is an upright, multi-branched shrub or small tree that reaches in height. The bark on old branches is grey and smooth, while young stems are reddish-brown. Thee Leaves are erect and needle-like, measuring 30–190 mm in length but only 0.7–1.5 mm in width. Small white flowers grow on short lateral branches often shorter than the surrounding leaves.
Taxonomy It was first described by Sven Berggren in 1877 and gets the specific epithet acerosum, meaning needles shaped, for its leaves.
References
Citations