Stenanthemum poicilum
| Stenanthemum poicilum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Stenanthemum |
| Species: | S. poicilum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Stenanthemum poicilum | |
Stenanthemum poicilum is a species of flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect or low-lying shrub with hairy young stems, broadly egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and clusters of densely hairy white flowers.
Description
[edit]Stenanthemum poicilum is a twiggy, erect or low-lying shrub that typically grows to a height of 15–50 cm (5.9–19.7 in), its young stems hairy. The leaves are broadly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 2.5–7 mm (0.098–0.276 in) long and 2.5–6 mm (0.098–0.236 in) wide on a petiole 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) long, with stipules at the base. Both surfaces of the leaves are covered with tiny, star-shaped hairs. The flowers are arranged in clusters 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) wide, surrounded by hairy, egg-shaped bracts about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. The floral tube is 2.5–3.7 mm (0.098–0.146 in) long, the sepals 1.3–1.6 mm (0.051–0.063 in) long and densely hairy, and the petals 0.7–1 mm (0.028–0.039 in) long. Flowering occurs in September and October, and the fruit is a hairy schizocarp 2.0–2.5 mm (0.079–0.098 in) long.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
[edit]Stenanthemum poicilum was first formally described in 1995 by Barbara Lynette Rye in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected in 1992.[2][4] The specific epithet (poicilum) means "mottled", referring to the seeds.[2]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]This species grows in heath and shrubland near Canna and on the Bremer Range in the Avon Wheatbelt and Yalgoo bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[2][3][5]
Conservation status
[edit]Stenanthemum poicilum is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[5] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Stenanthemum poicilum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d Rye, Barbara L. (1995). "New and priority taxa in the genera Cryptandra and Stenanthemum (Rhamnaceae) of Western Australia". Nuytsia. 10 (2): 299–300. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b Kellerman, Jurgen; Thiele, Kevin R. Kodela, Phillip G. (ed.). "Stenanthemum poicilum". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Stenanthemum poicilum". APNI. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Stenanthemum poicilum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 19 January 2023.