Marianthus paralius

Marianthus paralius is a species of flowering plant in the family Pittosporaceae and is endemic to a restricted part of the southwest of Western Australia. It is a more or less prostrate shrub with thick, egg-shaped leaves and red flowers.

Marianthus paralius
In Kings Park, Perth

Declared rare (DEC)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Pittosporaceae
Genus: Marianthus
Species:
M. paralius
Binomial name
Marianthus paralius
Habit

Description

Marianthus paralius is a woody, more or less prostrate shrub that typically spreads to a diameter of up to 50 cm (20 in), and tends to become a climber as it ages. The leaves are egg-shaped and thick, the flowers red with white stamens. Flowering occurs from September to November.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy

Marianthus paralius was first formally described in 2004 by Lindy W. Cayzer and Michael Crisp in Australian Systematic Botany from specimens collected near Seabird.[5] The specific epithet (paralius) means "by the sea".[6]

Distribution and habitat

This species of shrub grows in white sand over limestone on low coastal cliffs and is only known from two locations north of Perth in the Gingin and Joondalup local Government areas.[2][3]

Conservation status

Marianthus paralius is listed "Threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife and an interim recovery plan has been prepared. The main threats to the species include mining activities, grazing by rabbits, recreational activities, weed invasion and inappropriate fire regimes.[3]

References
  1. "Marianthus paralius". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  2. "Marianthus paralius". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. Luu, Robyn; Brown, Andrew. "Marianthus paralius Interim Recovery Plan 2009-2014" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  4. Cayzer, Lindy; Crisp, Mike (2004). "Reinstatement and revision of the genus Marianthus (Pittosporaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 17 (1): 127–44. doi:10.1071/SB03029.
  5. "Marianthus paralius". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  6. Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 271. ISBN 9780958034180.
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