Lasiopetalum discolor, commonly known as coast velvet-bush,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to coastal areas of southern Australia. It is an erect, spreading or sprawling shrub with hairy stems, oblong to egg-shaped leaves and pink or white flowers.
| Coast velvet-bush | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lasiopetalum discolor in Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Lasiopetalum |
| Species: | L. discolor
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lasiopetalum discolor | |
Description
editLasiopetalum discolor is a spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.2–1 m (7.9 in – 3 ft 3.4 in), its stems covered with star-shaped hairs. The leaves are broadly oblong to egg-shaped, 20–80 mm (0.79–3.15 in) long, 15–50 mm (0.59–1.97 in) wide and leathery, the lower surface covered with star-shaped hairs. The flowers are up to 10 mm (0.39 in) in diameter and arranged in pendulous heads of ten or more and are sessile or on a pedicel up to 1 mm (0.039 in) long. There are three linear bracteoles at the base of the sepals, the sepals 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long, pink or white and densely hairy on the back. The petals are reddish-brown, 1.0–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) long and there are five stamens. Flowering occurs from June December and the fruit is 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy
editLasiopetalum discolor was first formally described in 1836 by William Jackson Hooker in the Companion to the Botanical Magazine from specimens collected by James Backhouse "on Prince Seal Island, Basse's Straits".[5][6] The specific epithet (discolor) refers to the upper surface of the leaves being a darker green than the lower surface.[7]
Distribution and habitat
editThis lasiopetalum grows in sand on coastal dunes and limestone along the south coast of Western Australia and South Australia, on Bass Strait islands and the north-west coast of Tasmania.[2][3][4]
Conservation status
editLasiopetalum discolor is listed as "rare" under the Tasmanian Government Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.
References
edit
- ^ "Lasiopetalum discolor". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "Lasiopetalum discolor". State Herbarium of South Australia. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Lasiopetalum discolor". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b "Lasiopetalum discolor". Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "Lasiopetalum discolor". APNI. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ Hooker, William Jackson (1836). "Contributions towards a Flora of Van Diemen's Land". Companion to the Botanical Magazine. 1 (9): 276. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 184. ISBN 9780958034180.