Leucopogon exolasius

Leucopogon exolasius is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of 1 m (3 ft 3 in) and has softly-hairy branchlets. Its leaves are oblong to elliptic, 5.2–14.3 mm (0.20–0.56 in) long and 1.2–2.4 mm (0.047–0.094 in) wide on a petiole 0.3–0.5 mm (0.012–0.020 in) long. The edges of the leaves are turned down or rolled under, the upper surface convex and the lower surface striated. The flowers are arranged singly or in groups of up to three in leaf axils on peduncles 2.5–5.3 mm (0.098–0.209 in) long, and are pendent, with bracteoles 1.6–1.9 mm (0.063–0.075 in) long at the base. The sepals are 4.2–5.2 mm (0.17–0.20 in) long, the petals white and joined at the base to form a tube 3.1–3.6 mm (0.12–0.14 in) long. the petal tube is covered with tiny hairs on the outside, the lobes 4.0–5.4 mm (0.16–0.21 in) long and shaggy-hairy on the inside.[2][3][4]

Woronora beard-heath was first formally described in 1867 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Styphelia exolasia in his Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae from specimens collected by Ludwig Leichhardt near the village of Camden.[5][6] In 1868, George Bentham changed the name to Leucopogon exolasius in Flora Australiensis.[7][8] The specific epithet (exolasius) means "hairy on the outside", referring to the floral tube.[9]

Leucopogon exolasius is only known from a few locations in the Sydney region and on the Central Coast of New South Wales, including along the Georges River, in Heathcote National Park and along the Grose River. It grows in woodland, often on sandstone hillsides along creek banks.[3][4][10]

Leucopogon exolasius is listed as "vulnerable" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the New South Wales Government Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The threats to the species include its small population size, habitat loss, weed invasion and inappropriate fire regimes.[2][3][4]