Conostephium marchantiorum is a species of flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with linear leaves clustered near the ends of branchlets, and pale green and pink, densely-bearded, tube-shaped flowers.
| Conostephium marchantiorum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Conostephium |
| Species: | C. marchantiorum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Conostephium marchantiorum | |
Description
editConostephium marchantiorum is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) and has many branches, its leaves clustered near the ends of twigs. The leaves are linear, leathery, 8–11 mm (0.31–0.43 in) long and 0.9–1.6 mm (0.035–0.063 in) wide on a petiole 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) long. The edges of the leaves are rolled under and the lower surface has several prominent longitudinal veins. The flowers are arranged singly in 2 to 4 leaf axils on each twig with small, egg-shaped bracts and several broader, overlapping bracteoles closely surrounding the flowers. The sepals are lance-shaped, 2.8–3.2 mm (0.11–0.13 in) long, the petals white and joined at the base to form a tube about 1.6 mm (0.063 in) long. The petal lobes are twice as long as the petal tube and densely bearded. Flowering has been observed in March, July and November.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editConostephium marchantiorum was first formally described in 1986 by Arne Strid in the journal Willdenowia from specimens he collected near Scaddan in 1983.[2][4] The specific epithet (marchantiorum) honours Neville Graeme Marchant and his wife Denise.[2][5]
Distribution and habitat
editThis leucopogon grows on sand on plains, creeklines and the edges of salt lakes in the Esperance Plains and Mallee bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[3]
Conservation status
editLeucopogon marchantiorum is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Conostephium marchantiorum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ a b c Strid, Arne K. (1986). "New Species of Leucopogon and Conostephium (Epacridaceae) from SW Australia". Willdenowia. 16: 174–175.
- ^ a b c "Conostephium marchantiorum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Conostephium marchantiorum". APNI. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 248. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 9 December 2015.