Elatostema rugosum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Urticaceae |
Genus: | Elatostema |
Species: | E. rugosum
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Binomial name | |
Elatostema rugosum A.Cunn.
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Elatostema rugosum, commonly known as parataniwha or New Zealand begonia, is a herbaceous ground cover plant that is endemic to New Zealand.
Elatostema rugosum grows up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high in wet, shaded places such as gullies and streamsides. It has long green-purple leaves with prominent veins and a saw-like edge. [1]
The common name parataniwha, roughly translates to "home of the taniwha" and suggests the presence of a taniwha, a powerful supernatural being in Māori mythology. [2]