Daphne (New Zealand) Pimelea prostrate
Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Genus: Pimelea
Species: P. prostrate
Scientific name: Pimelea prostrate
Common names: NZ Daphne, Pinatoro, Riceflower, Strathmore weed and Autetaranga
Pinatoro is a low growing and prostrate perennial shrub with hairy branchlets.
Small white flowers appear in the summer followed by red or white fruits.
The berries are eaten raw. No other part of the plants should be eaten as Pimelea prostrate has been known to poison livestock.
A larger species, the sand daphne, autetaranga (Pimelea arenaria) was also used as a food plant..
There are about 17 species of Pimelea endemic to New Zealand but P. prostrata and P. arenaria are the most widespread.
Pimelea prostrata is common from coastal to subalpine rocky, dry open places.
Pimelea arenaria is common on coastal dunes, sands and hollows.
The inner bark of Pimelea prostrate was torn off in strips and used by the pre-European Maori for tying their hair.
Small white flowers of the Pimelea prostrate
Showing the branching structure
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