Lasiopetalum bracteatum, commonly known as Helena velvet bush,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to the south-west Western Australia. It is an erect, spreading shrub with egg-shaped leaves and loose groups pinkish flowers.
| Helena velvet bush | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lasiopetalum bracteatum near Perth | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Lasiopetalum |
| Species: | L. bracteatum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lasiopetalum bracteatum | |
Description edit
Lasiopetalum bracteatum is an erect, spreading shrub typically 60–150 cm (24–59 in) high and 40–100 cm (16–39 in) wide, its young stems covered with star-shaped hairs. The leaves are egg-shaped, the edges curved downwards, mostly 19–45 mm (0.75–1.77 in) long and 11–30 mm (0.43–1.18 in) wide on a petiole 6–13 mm (0.24–0.51 in) long. The surfaces of the leaves are sparsely to densely covered with star-shaped hairs. The flowers are arranged in loose groups of 8 to 22 46–80 mm (1.8–3.1 in) long, the peduncle hairy and 10–37 mm (0.39–1.46 in) long, each flower on a pedicel 4.1–7.0 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long with an elliptic bract 2.3–7.2 mm (0.091–0.283 in) long at the base. The sepals are bright pink to mauve-pink with a dark red base, 4.8–8.3 mm (0.19–0.33 in) long with lobes 3.7–7.1 mm (0.15–0.28 in) long and the five petals are about 1 mm (0.039 in) long and glabrous. Flowering occurs from August to November and the fruit is an elliptic capsule 4.1–4.5 mm (0.16–0.18 in) long.[2][3]
Taxonomy edit
This species was first formally described in 1839 by Stephan Endlicher who gave it the name Corethrostylis bracteata in Novarum Stirpium Decades.[4][5] In 1863, George Bentham changed the name to Lasiopetalum bracteatum in Flora Australiensis.[6] The specific epithet (bracteatum) means "bracteate".[7]
Distribution and habitat edit
This lasiopetalum grows near creeks and drainage lines and near granite outcrops in the Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions of south-western Western Australia.[2][3]
Conservation status edit
Lasiopetalum bracteatum is listed as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[2] meaning that is rare or near threatened.[8]
References edit
- ^ "Lasiopetalum bracteatum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Lasiopetalum bracteatum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b Shepherd, Kelly A.; Wilkins, Carolyn F. (2018). "A taxonomic revision of species with a petaloid epicalyx bract allied to Lasiopetalum bracteatum (Malvaceae: Byttnerioideae)" (PDF). Nuytsia. 29: 162–166. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Corethrostylis bracteata". APNI. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Endlicher, Stephan; Fenzl, Eduard (1839). Novarum stirpium decas I-X. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Lasiopetalum bracteatum". APNI. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 149. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 2 February 2022.