Pimelea prostrata, commonly known as Strathmore weed, New Zealand Daphne, and Pinātoro (Māori) is a species of small shrub, of the family Thymelaeaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand and has small white flowers and blue green leaves.
Description Pimelea prostrata is a low growing prostrate shrub. It has blue green leaves and small white flowers. Its stems range from 30 to 60 cm long, depending on the variety.
Pimelea prostrata subsp. prostrata has 30cm long stems and yellowish-brown branchlets.
Classification Pimelea prostrata has five subspecies: Pimelea prostrata subsp. prostrata Pimelea prostrata subsp. seismica Pimelea prostrata subsp. thermalis Pimelea prostrata subsp. ventosa Pimelea prostrata subsp. vulcanica
Etymology Pimelea is the shortened version of the Greek: Pimeleoides, which means "resembling Pimelea," a genus in the family Thymelaeaceae, prostrata describes the way in which it grows; Prostrate lying flat on the ground.
Toxins Like many species of Pimelea, it is poisonous to animals, particularly horses. It was originally used as a source of the toxin prostratin, which can serve as a tumor-inhibiting agent.
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