Pimelea filiformis, commonly known as trailing rice flower,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Thymelaeaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. It is a prostrate or semi-prostrate undershrub with narrowly elliptic or elliptic leaves and clusters of more or less glabrous, pink or white flowers.
| Pimelea filiformis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Thymelaeaceae |
| Genus: | Pimelea |
| Species: | P. filiformis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pimelea filiformis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Banksia filiformis (Hook.f.) Kuntze | |
Description
editPimelea filiformis is a prostrate or semi-prostrate undershrub with glabrous stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, narrowly elliptic or elliptic, mostly 3–11 mm (0.12–0.43 in) long, 1–6 mm (0.039–0.236 in) wide and more or less sessile, the lower surface paler than the upper one. The flowers are more or less glabrous, arranged in clusters on the ends of branches, and lack involucral bracts. The floral tube is deep pink and 3.5–5 mm (0.14–0.20 in) long and the sepals white or pink and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long. Flowering occurs from November to January.[3][4]
Taxonomy
editPimelea filiformis was first formally described in 1847 by Joseph Dalton Hooker in the London Journal of Botany from specimens near Launceston.[5] The specific epithet (filiformis) means "thread-shaped".[6]
Distribution and habitat
editThis pimelea grows on plains in shrubby forest near Launceston in northern and north-eastern Tasmania. It often forms flat clumps and is often found trailing through other vegetation.[2][3][4][7]
Conservation status
editPimelea filiformis is listed as "rare" in the Tasmanian Government Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Pimelea filiformis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ a b c "Pimelea filiformis (trailing rice flower)" (PDF). Forest Practices Authority, Tasmania. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ a b Rye, Barbara L. Busby, John R. (ed.). "Pimelea filiformis". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ a b Rodway, Leonard (1903). The Tasmanian Flora. Hobart: Tasmanian Government Printer. p. 174. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "Pimelea filiformis". APNI. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. pp. 198–199. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ Jordan, Greg. "Pimelea filiformis". University of Tasmania. Retrieved 22 November 2022.