Lasiopetalum microcardium
| Lasiopetalum microcardium | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Lasiopetalum |
| Species: | L. microcardium
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lasiopetalum microcardium | |
Lasiopetalum microcardium is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low, spreading or straggling shrub with hairy stems, heart-shaped leaves and blue, purple or white flowers.
Description
[edit]Lasiopetalum microcardium is a low, spreading or straggling shrub that typically grows to a height of 20–70 cm (7.9–27.6 in) and has hairy stems. The leaves are heart-shaped, 8–20 mm (0.31–0.79 in) long and 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) wide. The flowers are borne on a pedicel 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long with bracteoles 4.0–4.8 mm (0.16–0.19 in) long below the base of the sepals. The sepals are petal-like, blue, pink or white, 7.0–8.5 mm (0.28–0.33 in) long and joined near the base. There are no petals and the anthers are 2.0–2.3 mm (0.079–0.091 in) long on a filament 0.3–1.2 mm (0.012–0.047 in) long. Flowering occurs from August to December.[2]
Taxonomy
[edit]Lasiopetalum microcardium was first formally described in 1904 by Ernst Georg Pritzel in Engler's journal Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie.[3][4] The specific epithet (microcardium) means "a small heart" referring to the size and shape of the leaves.[5]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]This lasiopetalum grows in lateritic soils on ridges and breakaways in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Mallee biogeographic regions of south-western Western Australia.[2]
Conservation status
[edit]Lasiopetalum microcardium is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Lasiopetalum microcardium". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "Lasiopetalum microcardium". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Lasiopetalum microcardium". APNI. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ Diels, Ludwig; Pritzel, Ernst G. (1904). "Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae occidentalis. Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Pflanzen Westaustraliens, ihrer Verbreitung und ihrer Lebensverhaltnisse". Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. 35 (2–3): 381. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 252. ISBN 9780958034180.