Styphelia prostrata is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low, spreading or prostrate shrub with linear leaves and red, tube-shaped flowers that are bearded inside.
| Styphelia prostrata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Styphelia |
| Species: | S. prostrata
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| Binomial name | |
| Styphelia prostrata | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editStyphelia prostrata is a low, spreading or prostrate shrub that has many ascending or erect branches that are covered with soft hairs. Its leaves are linear to lance-shaped, less than 12 mm (0.47 in) long, tapering to a short, fine point. The flowers have bracteoles less than 2 mm (0.079 in) long the base. The sepals are 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, the petals red and joined at the base, forming a tube about 8.5 mm (0.33 in) long, with lobes 4 mm (0.16 in) long and bearded inside.[2]
Taxonomy
editThis species was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown, who gave it the name Astroloma prostratum in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[3][4] In 1882, Ferdinand von Mueller transferred the species to Styphelia as S. prostrata in his Systematic Census of Australian Plants. The specific epithet, prostrata means "prostate" or "lying along the ground".[5]
Distribution
editThis styphelia is found in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Mallee bioregions of southern Western Australia.[6]
Conservation status
editStyphelia prostrata is listed as "not threatened", by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Styphelia prostrata". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ Bentham, George (1868). Flora Australiensis. Vol. 4. London: Lovell Reeve & Co. p. 154. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ "Astroloma prostratum". APNI. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Brown, R. (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae et insulae Van-Diemen, exhibens characteres plantarum quas annis 1802-1805. p. 538.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 284. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ a b "Styphelia prostrata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.