Kingdom Plantae Family Araliaceae Genus Stilbocarpa Rank Species | Order Apiales Subfamily Aralioideae Scientific name Stilbocarpa polaris | |
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Similar Stilbocarpa, Pleurophyllum hookeri, Pleurophyllum, Poa foliosa, Bulbinella rossii | ||
Description
Stilbocarpa polaris, commonly known as the Macquarie Island cabbage, is a species of flowering plant usually placed in the family Araliaceae. It is a megaherb, growing up to about a metre in height, native to the subantarctic islands of New Zealand and to Australia’s Macquarie Island.
Uses
S. polaris was used as a food source and a scurvy preventative by early explorers and sealers.
Conservation status
It is classified as "At Risk - Naturally Uncommon" in the New Zealand threatened plants classification system. On Macquarie Island it was threatened by introduced black rats and European rabbits until their eradication in 2011.
References
Stilbocarpa polaris Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA