Mirbelia viminalis

Mirbelia viminalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to northern Australia. It is an erect to spreading, spiny, leafless shrub with yellow flowers.

Mirbelia viminalis
In the Kimberley region
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Mirbelia
Species:
M. viminalis
Binomial name
Mirbelia viminalis

Description

Mirbelia viminalis is an erect to spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.4–2 m (1 ft 4 in – 6 ft 7 in) and has many spine-tipped branches, its leaves reduced to scales. The flowers are similar to those of M. ramulosa except that the bracteoles are close to the base of the sepals. the outer surface of the sepals has hairs pressed against the surface, and the petals are entirely yellow. Flowering occurs in most months and the fruit is a pod 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) long.[2][3]

Taxonomy

This mirbelia was first formally described in 1837 by George Bentham in Commentationes de Leguminosarum Generibus from an unpublished description by Allan Cunningham who gave it the name Jacksonia viminalis.[4] In 1930, Charles Gardner changed the name to Mirbelia viminalis in Enumeratio Plantarum Australiae Occidentalis.[5] The specific epithet (viminalis) means "having long, thin branches".[6]

Distribution and habitat

Mirbelia viminalis grows on rocky outcropes, scree slopes and hills and is widespread in the north of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northern Queensland.[2][3]

Conservation status

Mirbelia viminalis is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[2] and as of "least concern" in the Northern Territory and Queensland.[3][7]

References
  1. "Mirbelia viminalis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  2. "Mirbelia viminalis". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. "Mirbelia viminalis". Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  4. "Jacksonia viminalis". APNI. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  5. "Mirbelia viminalis". APNI. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  6. Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 336. ISBN 9780958034180.
  7. "Mirbelia viminalis". Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
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