''Raoulia'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
plants in the tribe
Gnaphalieae
The Gnaphalieae are a tribe of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is most closely related to the tribes Anthemideae, Astereae, and Calenduleae.
Characteristics
This group is most diverse in South America, Southern Africa and Australi ...
within the family
Asteraceae
The family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae w ...
.
Many ''Raoulia'' species grow in alpine areas, forming very fine and dense growths. These compact growths form large amorphous cushion-like masses with only the growing tips visible. Due to their shape and form, the plant clusters resemble sheep from afar, this giving them their alternate name, vegetable sheep.
The range of some species, such as ''
Raoulia beauverdii'', includes coastal places.
Taxonomy
; Species
[The Plant List search for ''Raoulia'']
/ref>
; Formerly included[
* '']Argyrotegium mackayi
''Argyrotegium'' is a genus of plants in the family Asteraceae, native to Australia and New Zealand.
; Species[rock garden
A rock garden, also known as a rockery and formerly as a rockwork, is a garden, or more often a part of a garden, with a landscaping framework of rocks, stones, and gravel, with planting appropriate to this setting. Usually these are small A ...]
plant with silver-gray, almost moss-like, foliage.
* sun: full sun, part shade
* height: 2 inches
* width: spreads to around 1 ft.
* water: regular
* hardiness: 20 °F according to one source, 35 degrees F according to another
* heat tolerance: unknown
See also
* Vegetable Lamb of Tartary
The Vegetable Lamb of Tartary (Latin: ''Agnus scythicus'' or ''Planta Tartarica Barometz'') is a legendary zoophyte of Central Asia, once believed to grow sheep as its fruit. It was believed the sheep were connected to the plant by an umbilical ...
(mythological plant)
References
Endemic flora of New Zealand
Asteraceae genera
Gnaphalieae
{{Gnaphalieae-stub