Andersonia micrantha explained

Andersonia macranthera is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is a low, compact, cushion-like shrub with pointed egg-shaped leaves and white flowers.

Description

Andersonia macranthera is a low, compact, cushion-like shrub that typically grows to a height . Its leaves are pointed egg-shaped, long and wide with the ends curved backwards. The flowers are arranged with about ten to fifteen leaves and bracteoles on the flower stalk. The sepals are lance-shaped, mostly long and hairy. The petals are white, forming a tube shorter than the sepals, with lobes about the same length or shorter than the petal tube and bearded in the lower half. The stamens are about the same length as the petal tube, the anthers up to long but shorter than the filaments.[1]

Taxonomy

Andersonia micrantha was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae from specimens he collected at King George Sound in 1801.[2] [3] The specific epithet (micrantha) means 'small-flowered'.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Andersonia grows in sand or sandy loam in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren bioregions of southern Western Australia.

Conservation status

Andersonia micrantha is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Notes and References

  1. Watson . Leslie . A taxonomic revision of the genus Andersonia R.Br. (Epacridaceae). . Kew Bulletin . 1962 . 16 . 1 . 99–100 . 20 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Andersonia micrantha . APNI . 20 November 2024.
  3. Book: Brown . Robert . Prodromus Florae Novae Holliandiae . 1810 . London . 554 . 20 November 2022.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 251 . 3rd.