Thomasia solanacea
| Thomasia solanacea | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Thomasia |
| Species: | T. solanacea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thomasia solanacea | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Lasiopetalum solanaceum Sims | |
Thomasia solanacea is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, bushy shrub with egg-shaped leaves, the bases heart-shaped, and racemes of white, cream-coloured or pink to purple flowers.
Description
[edit]Thomasia solanacea is an erect, bushy shrub that typically grows to 0.5–3 m (1 ft 8 in – 9 ft 10 in) high and 2–3 m (6 ft 7 in – 9 ft 10 in) wide, its new growth covered with scaly, star-shaped hairs. The leaves are egg-shaped with a heart-shaped base, 40–90 mm (1.6–3.5 in) long and 20–60 mm (0.79–2.36 in) wide on a petiole up to 40 mm (1.6 in) long with stipules up to 20 mm (0.79 in) long at the base. The leaves have irregular edges and are covered with star-shaped hairs. The flowers are arranged in racemes of 4 to 9 on a hairy peduncle about 40 mm (1.6 in) long, each flower on a pedicel 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long with linear bracteoles at the base. The flowers are 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) in diameter, the sepals white, cream-coloured or pink to purple, the petals, anthers and staminodes deep red. Flowering occurs from September to December.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
[edit]This species was first formally described in 1812 by Sims who gave it the name Lasiopetalum solaceum in the Botanical Magazine.[4][5] In 1821, Jaques Étienne Gay transferred the species to the genus Thomasia in the journal Mémoires du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle.[6] The specific epithet (solanacea) means "Solanum-like".[7]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Thomasia solanacea usually grows as an undershrub in woodland and occurs between Denmark, the Stirling Range and Mount Manypeaks in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Warren bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[2][3]
Conservation status
[edit]Thomasia solanacea is listed as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is rare or near threatened.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Thomasia solanacea". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ a b Blake, Trevor L. (2021). Lantern bushes of Australia; Thomasias & allied genera : a field and horticultural guide. Victoria: Australian Plants Society, Keilor Plains Group. pp. 64–65. ISBN 9780646839301.
- ^ a b c "Thomasia solanacea". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Lasiopetalum solanaceum". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ Sims, John (1812). "Lasiopetalum solanaceum". Curtis's Botanical Magazine. 36: 1486. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Thomasia solanacea". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 209. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 27 February 2023.