The only known species is Damnamenia vernicosa, called the black-eyed daisy. It is endemic to New Zealand (Auckland and Campbell Islands).[2][8]
Description
Damnamenia vernicosa is a small, perennial, stoloniferousherb. It has glossy green leaves and white daisy flowers with dark purple centres. The plant flowers from November to January and fruits from December to March.[9]
It was first described in 1844 as Celmisia vernicosa by Joseph Hooker.[10] In 2012, David Given separated C. vernicosa from Celmisia and from related genera on the basis of its morphology, and allocated it to the new genus, Damnamenia. Given named the genus Damnamenia for the Dactyl, Damnamenius, since Celmisia was named for Celmis, another Dactyl.[3] The specific epithet, vernicosa, is the Latin adjective, vernicosus,-a, -um, meaning "varnished",[11] and refers to the apparently varnished leaves.[10]
Conservation status
The species is listed as "At Risk – Naturally Uncommon" on the most recent (2018) New Zealand Threatened Classification for plants, because of its restricted range).[1]
Gallery
Damnamenia vernicosa as Celmisia vernicosa (Plates XXVI-XXVII Fitch)[12]
Damnamenia vernicosa growing among other flora on Campbell Island
Damnamenia vernicosa growing on a cliff face on Campbell Island
Close-up of a Damnamenia vernicosa flower
References
^ abLange, Peter J. de; Rolfe, Jeremy R.; Barkla, John W.; Courtney, Shannel P.; Champion, Paul D.; Perrie, Leon R.; Beadel, Sarah M.; Ford, Kerry A.; Breitwieser, Ilse; Schönberger, Ines; Hindmarsh-Walls, Rowan (May 2018). "Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017"(PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 22: 42. OCLC1041649797.