Thryptomene oligandra

Thryptomene oligandra is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to northern Queensland. It is a shrub, sometimes a small tree, with decussate, egg-shaped leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and flowers with five petals and five stamens.

Thryptomene oligandra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Thryptomene
Species:
T. oligandra
Binomial name
Thryptomene oligandra
Synonyms[1]

Thryptomene oligandra F.Muell. var. oligandra

Description

Thryptomene oligandra is a shrub that typically grows to a height of 1–5 cm (0.39–1.97 in), sometimes a poorly-formed tree. Its leaves are decussate, egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long and 1.5–3 mm (0.059–0.118 in) wide. The flowers are more or less sessile, arranged in small clusters of three flowers in leaf axils near the ends of the branches. The sepals and petals are similar to each other, the petals about 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in) long. The five stamens are red or purple and the centre of the flower is yellow.[2]

Taxonomy

Thryptomene oligandra was first formally described in 1858 by Ferdinand von Mueller in the Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from specimens collected near the Gilbert River.[3] The specific epithet (oligandra) means "few stamens".[4]

Distribution and habitat

This thryptomene grows in heath, forest and vine thickets on Cape York Peninsula and in north-east Queensland.[2]

Conservation status

Thryptomene oligandra is classified as of "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.[5]

Indigenous use

The stems of T. oligandra were sometimes used for the ends of reed-spears on the Mitchell and Gilbert Rivers.[6]

References
  1. "Thryptomene oligandra". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  2. "Thryptomene oligandra". Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  3. "Thryptomene oligandra". APNI. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  4. Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 265. ISBN 9780958034180.
  5. "Species profile—Thryptomene oligandra". Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  6. Roth, Walter Edmund. "Bulletin no. 13 Fighting Weapons, 1904-1906, page 6". State Library of New South Wales. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
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