Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cushion-forming New Zealand herb: Haastia pulvinaris is a specific species of flowering plant native to New Zealand. It is characterized by its distinctive growth form, where it grows into a dense, cushion-like mound.
   • A plant with leaves densely covered with tawny hairs: The defining feature of this herb is its leaves, which are thickly covered with soft, brownish-yellow (tawny) hairs, an adaptation to its high-altitude, alpine environment.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The botanist identified the alpine cushion as Haastia pulvinaris.
  • Haastia pulvinaris is well-adapted to survive in harsh, rocky conditions.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification: The term is used as a scientific binomial (genus and species) to precisely identify this specific plant within the family Asteraceae.
  • The genus Haastia contains several species, including Haastia pulvinaris.

Variants and Related Words

• Haastia (n): The genus name to which this species belongs. Other species include .
• Vegetable sheep (n, informal): A common name sometimes used for and similar cushion plants due to their woolly, sheep-like appearance from a distance.

Synonyms

• Cushion plant (n): A general term for plants with a low, dense, cushion-like growth form, which includes .

Related Terms

• Alpine flora (n): Plants that grow in mountainous regions above the tree line. is a notable example of New Zealand's alpine flora.
• Xerophyte (n): A plant adapted to dry environments. While not a true desert plant, its hairy leaves help reduce water loss, showing xerophytic adaptations.

Noun

1. cushion-forming New Zealand herb having leaves densely covered with tawny hairs