Brachyglottis huntii

Brachyglottis huntii, commonly called Rautini or Chatham Island Christmas tree, is a species of flowering plant in the aster family. It is found only on the Chatham Islands in New Zealand.

Brachyglottis huntii

Nationally Vulnerable (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Brachyglottis
Species:
B. huntii
Binomial name
Brachyglottis huntii
Synonyms[2]

Senecio huntii F. Muell.

Rautini grows up to 8 meters tall in height, with leaves that grow up to 12 centimeters long. It is covered in down-like hairs which give an overall silvery hue. Rautini comes into flower in the summer season, from November to February, with distinctive bright yellow flowers. Seeds are produced during the autumn season.[3]

Rautini has grey bark which flakes off in small shards when disturbed. Leaves are finely toothed in the upper third section. Branches are short, stout and spreading, and often bear multiple leaf scars. Leaves are aromatic, and initially are covered in short matted hairs on both sides before becoming relatively hairless with age.[4]

Rautini contains the pyrrolizidine alkaloids senkirkine and retrorsine, which are both acutely toxic when consumed orally. [5]

Habitat

Distribution is restricted on Chatham Island in the past century due to grazing threats and habitat destruction. On Pitt Island, it is more widely spread due to lower numbers of grazing or feral stock animals.

Rautini prefers disturbed regions, or those in the early successional ecological stages. These areas include along streams and riversides, drier swamps, open shrublands and along open ridges. This species is unable to cope with prolonged periods of drought or heavily shaded areas. [6]

Threats

Rautini is palatable to stock animals in younger forms, and considerable damage has been noted from both browsing and trampling.

Habitat destruction also poses a considerable threat to the range of this species.[7]

Recently, cases have been noted of the collapse of healthy trees. Soil borne pathogens such as phytophora and verticillium wilt have been implicated, with future research being needed.[4]

Brachyglottis huntii in late December

References
  1. Lange, Peter J. de; Rolfe, Jeremy R.; Champion, Paul D.; Courtney, Shannel P.; Heenan, Peter B.; Barkla, John W.; Cameron, Ewen K.; Norton, David A.; Hitchmough, Rodney A. (2013). Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012 (PDF). Wellington: Department of Conservation. p. 18. ISBN 9780478149951. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  2. Edgar, E.; H. E. Connor (1983). "Nomina Nova III, 1977-1982" (PDF). New Zealand Journal of Botany. 21 (4): 421–441. doi:10.1080/0028825x.1983.10428573. 0028-825X/83/2104-0421. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 August 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  3. "Chatham Island Christmas tree/rautini". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  4. "Brachyglottis huntii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  5. Benn, Michael; Gul, Waseem (2007). "Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the antipodean genus Brachyglottis (Asteraceae)". Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the antipodean genus Brachyglottis (Asteraceae). 35: 676–681 – via ScienceDirect.
  6. "Brachyglottis huntii". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  7. "Chatham Island Christmas tree/rautini". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 18 December 2020.


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