Hovea montana, commonly known as alpine hovea, mountain hovea or alpine rusty-pods,[2] is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, and is endemic to Australia. It is a small shrub with narrow leaves and purple pea flowers.[3]
| Alpine rusty-pods | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Hovea |
| Species: | H. montana
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| Binomial name | |
| Hovea montana | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editHovea montana is a small, low growing shrub usually 15–40 cm (5.9–15.7 in) high and 1–1.5 m (3 ft 3 in – 4 ft 11 in) in diameter. The stems and branches are thickly covered with soft, loosely flattened hairs. The leaves are narrow-elliptic shaped, mostly 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) wide, with a depressed midrib, the margins curved downward. The upper surface smooth and hairless, the lower surface is thickly covered with fine, soft hairs. The purple-blue or white flowers are borne singly or in pairs, about 10 mm (0.39 in) long on a peduncle about 2 mm (0.079 in) long. The calyx is 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long with rusty-coloured, short, matted hairs. Flowering occurs from October to December and the fruit is a pod about 10 mm (0.39 in) long and densely covered with rusty-coloured hairs.[4][5]
Taxonomy and naming
editHovea montana was first formally described in 1988 by J.H.Ross and the description was published in Muelleria.[6] The specific epithet (montana) refers to mountains or coming from mountains.[7]
Distribution and habitat
editAlpine rusty-pods is mostly found in open heath, woodlands and grassy situations at higher altitudes in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.[4][5]
References
edit- ^ "Hovea montana". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ Corrick, M.G.; Fuhrer, B.A. (2001). Wildflowers of Victoria and adjoining areas. Australia: Bloomings Books. ISBN 1876473142.
- ^ Jones, D.L. "New South Wales Flora Online: Hovea montana". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
- ^ a b Thompson, I.R. "Hovea montana". PlantNET-NSW flora online. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Hovea montana". VICFLORA-Flora of Victoria. Royal Botanic Garden Victoria. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Ross, J.H. (1988). "Muelleria". 6 (6 ed.). Melbourne: National Herbarium of Victoria: 427.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Archibald William Smith A Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names: Their Meanings and Origins, p. 239, at Google Books