Homoranthus prolixus

Homoranthus prolixus, commonly known as granite homoranthus[2] is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to northern New South Wales. It is a spreading shrub with linear to lance-shaped leaves and groups of up to six yellow to red flowers in the upper leaf axils.

Habit in the ANBG

Granite homoranthus
Homoranthus prolixus in the ANBG
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Homoranthus
Species:
H. prolixus
Binomial name
Homoranthus prolixus
Craven & S.R.Jones[1]
Occurrence data from AVH
Synonyms[1]

Homoranthus bornhardtiensis J.T.Hunter

Description

Homoranthus prolixus is a spreading shrub to 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in) high with a mostly ascending growth habit, and branches that arch upwards at the apex. The dull, blue-green leaves have a whitish bloom, decussate, linear to oblong-lance shaped, 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) long, 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) wide, upper surface flat or occasionally concave, more or less smooth and gradually tapering to a point on a petiole 0.5 mm (0.020 in) long. The one to six yellow to red flowers are borne on upper branches, about 5 mm (0.20 in) long, petals broadly egg-shaped, 0.8–1.5 mm (0.031–0.059 in) long, floral tube five ribbed, smooth, 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, style 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) long, and the peduncle 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long. Flowering occurs from September to December and fruits from September to January.[3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

Homoranthus prolixus was first formally described in 1991 by Lyndley Craven and S.R.Jones and the description was published in Australian Systematic Botany.[6][7] The specific epithet (prolixus) is a Latin word meaning "stretched out" or "long".[8]

Distribution and habit

Granite homoranthus grows from Inverell to Bendemeer in northern New South Wales in woodland and heath on shallow sandy soils on and around granite or acid volcanic outcrops.[3]

Conservation status

This homoranthus is considered vulnerable by Briggs and Leigh (1996), but now known to be well reserved and often locally abundant. The Rare or Threatened Australian Plants conservation code of 3RCa is considered more appropriate.[3]

References
  1. "Homoranthus prolixus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  2. "Granite homoranthus - profile". New South Wales Government Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  3. Copeland, Lachlan M.; Craven, Lyn A.; Bruhl, Jeremy J. (2011). "A taxonomic review of Homoranthus (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 24 (6): 351. doi:10.1071/SB11015.
  4. Harden, Gwen J. "Homoranthus prolixus". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  5. "Approved conservation advice for Homoranthus prolixus" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  6. "Homoranthus prolixus". APNI. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  7. Craven, Lyndley A.; Jones, S R. (1991). "A taxonomic review of Homoranthus and two new species of Darwinia (both Myrtaceae, Chamelaucieae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 4 (3): 525–526. doi:10.1071/SB9910513.
  8. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 494.
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