Cyathodes straminea, also known as false-whorled cheeseberry, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae endemic to Tasmania, where it grows as an alpine to subalpine shrub (15–60 cm in height) with a spreading habit. The generic name Cyathodes was derived from Greek "Cyath" = cup and "odes" = like, referring to the ovary encircled by cup-shaped nectary.

Cyathodes straminea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Cyathodes
Species:
C. straminea
Binomial name
Cyathodes straminea

Description

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Cyathodes straminea is a shrub with leaves arranged in pseudowhorls. Leaves are obovate-elliptic 7–16 mm long, 3-4.5 mm wide, often with a membranous margin, and a soft, blunt point. The upper surface is glabrous, but the lower surface is covered in white wax (glaucous) with prominent parallel veins (Fig.1). Petiole 1.6-2.4 mm long.[1] The flowers occur in summer in upper leaf axils (Fig.2) and have a strong cheesy smell, are white, bell-shaped and hermaphrodite (both male and female) with long corolla lobes and anthers exserted on thick filaments. They have 5-10 locules in the ovary,[2] developing into red, rounded, flattened fruits to 8mm wide, reputed to be edible (raw or cooked) (Fig.3).

Habitat

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Cyathodes straminea grows frequently in open shrubby subalpine heathland and woodlands on the Dolerite mountains of the northern, central and eastern parts of Tasmania above 1000m.[3] Usually found on medium and heavy (clay) soils in moist, rocky and windy sites, with well-drained conditions and is frost tolerant. Commonly associated with Eucalyptus coccifera, Orites revoluta, Helichrysum and Richea species.

Cultivation

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It requires a well-drained moist soil in a sheltered site. These plans are very susceptible to drought but can grow even in -7 °C. The seeds should be surface sown in ericaceous soil. It germinates within 1–2 months at 18 °C. Scarification will reduce the germination time and 2 or 3 periods of 4 – 6 weeks cold stratification, alternated with 4 weeks warm stratification can also help. [4]

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References

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  1. ^ Curtis, W.M. (1963). "THE STUDENT'S FLORA OF TASMANIA". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ Weiller, C.M. (1996). "Epacridacea,Reassessment of Cyathodes". Australian Systematic Botany. 9 (4): 491–507. doi:10.1071/sb9960491.
  3. ^ "Atlas Of Living Australia".
  4. ^ "Cyathodes straminea".